Are you—or someone you know—a future USMS official?

Learn the ropes at this free clinic open to anyone age 18+.

Officials Certification Training Clinic for Masters Swimming

Saturday, January 25, 2020

9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Needham, MA

Meet officials are essential to USMS and the NELMSC; we cannot run USMS-sanctioned or recognized meets without them. While New England currently has a great team of officials, we need to train and certify more officials to ensure that is the case for years to come. 

To that end, the New England LMSC is excited to host its first ever Officials Certification Training Clinic for Masters Swimming this January.

Ken Galica, one of our most experienced Masters officials, will lead this free clinic. The clinic is open to anyone, age 18 or older, who is interested in becoming a U.S. Masters Swimming Certified Official and working at a couple of USMS meets in New England throughout the year. USMS membership is recommended, but not required.

If you are interested in becoming a USMS-certified official or would like further information, please email Sue Jensen, NELMSC Officials Chair.

Officials Clinic FAQs

1. Who can attend this clinic?

This free clinic is open to anyone, 18 years of age or older, who is interested in working at a couple of USMS-sanctioned meets in New England throughout the year. Membership in USMS is recommended, but not required. If you are a currently certified USA Swimming, NCAA, NFHS (high school), or YMCA official, this clinic is not required for you to work at USMS-sanctioned meets.

2. What are the advantages of attending this clinic vs. getting certified online? 

You most certainly can get certified by studying the rulebooks (USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming), and taking the certification tests online. However, attending a clinic with an excellent facilitator in a classroom setting is far more enjoyable and informative, and offers the ability to ask questions and get immediate feedback, as well as to have discussions with the facilitator and fellow students.

3. Which type of certification will be taught (stroke-turn judge, starter, referee)?

This clinic will focus on stroke & turn officiating only.

4. Will participants go through the tests on-site together? Will they leave certified?

After the clinic is over, participants will go home, download both the USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming rulebooks, and take the two online, open-book tests (USA Swimming test and the USMS supplemental test). These tests and the results then get submitted to USMS for the official certification. 

5. Should participants bring a laptop? Is WIFI available?

A laptop is not necessary for this clinic, however, if you’d like to take notes with your computer, please bring it. WIFI will be available.

6. How can I sign up?

To register and/or to receive additional information, email to Sue Jensen, NELMSC Officials Chair, at suejensen4@gmail.com. Seating is limited to 16 students.