Resumption of Official Training Activities

Official Trainers have been notified by the YMCA of the USA that they may start scheduling in-person Official Training classes effective August 1. 

The trainers have been asked to limit their classes to no more than 10-15 participants so that the students can meet social distancing guidelines. 

The YMCA Certification tests have been updated to reflect the 2020-2021 USA-S rule book. 

The Official Trainers are not authorized to hold virtual training sessions at this time due to the need for training of the trainer and updated course material. Later this year YUSA will be adapting one of the classes to see how virtual training can work

Renewals of Lapsed Certifications

One question that will most likely come up by some officials is: My credentials have lasped because I was unable to renewal due to the moratorium on training and a lack of classes.

For Level I officials, if your certification lapse was less than six months, you only have to take a Level I class and complete the shorter Level I Recertification test.  If your certification lapse is more than six months, you will need to take a Level I class and complete the more extensive Level I Certification test.

For Level II officials, the same generally holds as with Level I officials.  If your certification lapse was less than six months, you only have to take a Level II class and complete the shorter Level II Recertification test.  If your certification lapse is more than six months, but less than two years, you will have to take a Level II class and the longer Level II Certification test.  If your lapse is more than two years, then you will need to start over at Level I.

For Administrative Officials, you will only have to take a class and complete the A/O Certification test.

For a list of trainers (email contact and state location): Trainers

For a list of scheduled classes: Training Classes

For a copy of 2020-2021 USA-S Rulebook: RuleBook

Becoming a Swim Official or Recertifying

To become a Swim Officials or to renew your certification (every three years), you must complete the following: 

• Attend an appropriate Swim Officials training class: Level I, Level II, or Admin Official by registering on the LCDC training site and selecting the class you want to attend
• Complete a Swim Official Certification Test by registering on the Swim Officials Test Site and taking the appropriate certification test

Register for an upcoming Swim Official Training Class: If you are currently not a swim official, you should register for a Swim Official Level I class.  If you are interested in becoming an Admin Official, register for an Admin Official training class.  If you are recertifying, register for the class appropriate for your recertification.  (e.g. Level I, Level II, Admin Official, etc.)

You can see upcoming classes at this link.  This information is automatically updated as training classes are schedule by the Trainers

To register for an upcoming swim official classes: 

1. GO TO: https://services.ymca.net/login.aspx to log in.

If you are a new user, you will need to create a user name. 
You then set up a user name & password. After you have the password, return to the website & log in.

2. Scroll down & on the left side of the screen

• Click on Learning & Career Development (LCDC).

3. Under Search & Register for Classes

• Under Course Category, select "Aquatics"
• Under Course Code, select the name of the class you want to take - (e.g. Swim Officials Level I)
• Click "Search"
• Select the class you'd like to attend

4. Follow additional prompts to register for the course

Successfully pass the corresponding Certification Test: 

To complete your certification test:

1. Got to http://ymca.ymcacompetitiveswim.org to login

If you are a new user, you will need to register as a new user.  Please note: this web site is different than the LCDC web site.  New users will need to complete a new registration on this site

2. After registering on this site, click the link on the left side menu under FOR OFFICALS,  TAKE OFFICIAL TEST.  Further details about taking the officials test are listed on the main page of the web site or at this link

Online YMCA Swim Officials Certification Test

Access the site

• If you have previously received an email from "YMCA Swimming", this email will contain a link that says "Click here to be automatically logged in and view the article on the YMCA Swimming Web Site"
• This link will take you to the web site and automatically log you in.  You are already setup as a registered user.
• If you have never received an email from "YMCA Swimming", go to ymca.ymcacompetitiveswim.org.  Immediately under the logo (left top corner), you will see two links: Register and Login.  Select Register.
• This will bring up a registration form. Click Agree to the terms and fill in the information on the form. 
• If you are currently an official, make sure you select the role, Swim Official - YMCA.  If you are not currently an official, select, Officials Class Attendee
• Once you receive the successful registration message, select, Take Officials Test from the left-hand menu.  It is under the section, For YMCA Officials

• Note: You can not take the Online Officials Test without attending an Officials Training Class.  Even if you are recertifying, you must attend an officials training class.  Certifications are good for three years
• Once the YMCA Officials Online Test screen appears, you will begin by verifying and updating your personal information in the first section.  Most of this is the same information you entered when registering.
• In the Update Your Class Information portion, you will select the instructor/class date of the class you attended.  If your instructor/class date is not in the list, follow the instructions on the screen
• In the Select The Test portion, select the test that you want to take.  Certification test are for people who are not currently certified at that level.  Recertification tests are for people who are currently certified at that level
• When you completed all the information, click the Submit button at the bottom of the screen 
• This will take you to the first question of the online test