Big Sky. Big Dreams. Big Success!

If you're interested in becoming an official, you've come to the right place!

The Montana Swimming Officials Chair is Lon Huckert from Bozeman e-mail or phone 406-522-3775.

2018 - 2020 Montana Swimming Requirements to Officiate:  Word    PDF   Here are the basic how to's of how to become a certified official as well as how to renew your official's certifications. Learn how to become a stroke and turn official, starter, referee, timer, and administrative official.  

2018-2020 Stroke and Turn Official Training Requirements: a one page document with the training requirement basics for persons wishing to train as a stroke and turn official.   WORD    PDF

Deck Time Report Form - Updated    --  XLS    PDF  You need to keep track of your training time on deck. Use this form to record your stroke and turn training time. It must be submitted with your application to become a certified official.

Officials Application    --  WORD    PDF  Trainees submit this application to become a certified Montana Swimming application. Complete the form, include your deck time report form, and e-mail it to the Montana Swimming Officials Chair Lon Huckert.

2021 USA Swimming Apprentice Official Application   Word

2021 USA Swimming Non-Athlete Registration Form    Word

Training videos, tests, rule books:

To find these resources go to the USA Swimming website. Click on member services and then the officials tab to find the stroke and turn videos to view. You will also find the official's tests and the current USA Swimming rule book.

USA Swimming has released a new starter's training video as of November 2016. It, along with all the other training videos, are available on the USA Swimming website at:

http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2775&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en

Starter trainees, please see a referee on your team or the Montana Swimming officials chair for additional information if needed.

NEW -- Beginning September 1, 2019 -- 

Athlete Protection Training

In response to member feedback, beginning September 1, 2019, you may notice the next time you log in that the three courses of the Athlete Protection Training have been streamlined into one. The training course continues to be produced by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and must be completed annually with a renewal date one year from the completion date. All adult athlete and non-athlete members must complete this training. This includes coaches, officials, Junior Coaches and anyone authorized to have regular contact with or authority over a minor athlete. Please direct questions about the Athlete Protection Training to learn@usaswimming.org.   

Concussion Protocol Training

This requirement is new for all coaches and officials in 2020. Though several states have previously passed concussion education requirements, USA Swimming will now require all coaches and officials complete Concussion Protocol Training by January 1, 2020.

• Courses from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), as well as individual states’ required courses will satisfy the USA Swimming requirement. (For example, if a coach lives/coaches in a state with a concussion education requirement, he/she must only complete this requirement and will not need to complete an additional course). Many high school coaches will have already completed the NFHS training.
• For USA Swimming membership, coaches and officials must successfully complete concussion and head injury education at least once. Individual states may require annual or continuing education and coaches/officials must abide by the requirements of their home state or states in which they coach or officiate.
• This requirement is necessary to avoid personal liability for concussion/head strike incidents, ensuring our insurers will continue to provide liability insurance protection to USA Swimming, coaches, officials and clubs.
• Please direct questions about Concussion Protocol Training to George Ward at gward@usaswimming.org. 
• NOTE -- Officials in Montana who officiate high school swimming must take the NFHS concussion course annually after June 1 and prior to the first MHSA swim competition.