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Certification

 
All of the officials you see on the deck are volunteers in the Hawaiian LSC. Like you, many of the officials are parents of swimmers, but a good number of our local officials are still officiating at meets long after their children have completed their swim careers. They will tell you that it is fun to do, that they enjoy the friends they have made over the years officiating at local and national meets. They will also tell you that volunteering not only makes it possible for us to run our meets, but makes them feel better about themselves. Each of us helps to make our society a little better devoting our time to the swimmers and sport. Below you will find the certification standards we use in the Hawaiian LSC. We hope you will consider becoming an official!

Hawaiian Swimming Official Certification and Re-certification Requirements
 TIMER (Minimum Age 11)  
 Education & Training None except pre-meet briefing.                                                                    Performance monitored by Chief Timer and/or Referee during meet.  
 Evaluation & Certification   Certify after passing USA Timer's test and satisfactory performance at one meet.  
 Renewal  Based on satisfactory performance.  
   
 STROKE & TURN JUDGE (Minimum Age 18*)  
 Education & Training   Formal clinic training.   Must take USA Swimming Stroke & Turn Judge test before apprenticing on deck.  On-the-deck apprenticeship with at least two (2) trainers (who have a minimum of one (1) year certification as Stroke & Turn Judge) for a minimum of four (4) sessions. (cannot make a disqualification during those sessions).  
 Evaluation & Certification Evaluation by trainer and/or Meet Referee to be reported to LSC Officials Chair or their designee. Must complete certification within one year from date of clinic. Must be a member of USA Swimming before officiating as a Stroke and Turn Judge.  
 Renewal Require renewal test and clinic participation. To maintain certification, must work a minimum of four (4) sessions per year in Stroke & Turn or higher capacity.  Based on continuing USA Swimming membership and satisfactory performance.  
* May Not Officiate at a Session in Which They are Competing
 RELAY TAKE-OFF JUDGE (Minimum Age 19)  
 Education & Training    Must be certified Stroke & Turn Judge  
 Evaluation & Certification    Considered part of Stroke & Turn Judge certification.  
 Renewal    Same as Stroke & Turn Judge.  
   
   
 CHIEF JUDGE (Minimum Age 19)  
 Education & Training    Must be certified Stroke & Turn Judge  
 Evaluation & Certification   Considered part of Stroke & Turn Judge certification.                                                                  Must have a minimum of one (1) year experience as a certified Stroke & Turn Judge.  
 Renewal    Same as Stroke & Turn Judge.  
   
 STARTER (Minimum Age 19*)  
 Education & Training  

 Must attend clinic.  Must take USA Swimming Starters test and be a current member of USA Swimming. Must serve a minimum of five (5) sessions on the deck at two (2) different meets with at least two (2) different trainers approved by the LSC Officials Chair.  Must have worked as certified Stroke & Turn Judge for a minimum one year or five sessions, which ever is greater.
 Evaluation & Certification   Certification based on recommendation of the trainer(s) and/or Referee(s)  
 Renewal   Require completion of renewal test at 80% or better and participation in starter clinic. To maintain certification, must work a minimum of four (4) sessions per year in Starter or higher capacity.       Based on continuing USA Swimming membership and evaluation.  
* May Not Officiate at a Session in Which They are Competing
 REFEREE (Minimum Age 21)  
 Education & Training    Must attend referee's clinic and apprentice on-the-deck for a minimum of six (6) sessions at three (3) sanctioned meets with at least two (2) different referees.       Previous certification as a  Starter for a minimum of one (1) year.                                                                                                                       Recommend be familiar with the positions of Announcer, Clerk of Course, Starter, Stroke & Turn Judge, Chief Judge, Timer, Timing Judge and Meet Marshall. Must pass USA Swimming Officials test (all sections) with a grade of at least 80% and be a current member of USA Swimming.  
 Evaluation & Certification    Certification based on recommendation of the trainer(s) and/or Referee(s)  
 Renewal   Require 80% or better scores on renewal test every two years.                                  To maintain certification, must work a minimum of six (6) sessions per year in Starter or higher capacity with at least one session as Referee. Based on continuing USA Swimming membership and evaluation by the LSC Officials Chair or their designee.  

                 ALL LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION MUST

                                          TAKE THE

                              RECERTIFICATION TEST

                                      EVERY 2 YEARS