Training and certification of officials is central to USATF's goal of ensuring fair and safe competitive opportunities for athletes. The organization delivers information and instruction to officials, assuring their development as professionals. As an official gains experience, exposure to correct officiating practices, and additional training, USATF recognizes this skill development through four progressive levels of certification: Apprentice, Association, National, and Master. Officials are certified for the duration of the current Olympiad and must recertify for subsequent four-year Olympiad periods. Officials are certified in specific disciplines; each discipline falls under either a set of Levels or a set of Grades as shown in the links below. Officials also have an overall certification level which is equal to their highest level of certification in any discipline.
The certification of all USATF officials expires at the end of each Olympiad. The recertification process opens on Nov 1, 2020 and should be completed by Dec 31, 2020, but not later than Mar 31, 2021.
Complete details are outlined in the paper at this link.
We always have a need for, and welcome individuals to become new certified officials. See the “Certification Requirements” listed below and contact the Certification Chair serving your USATF association, as listed in the “Certification Chair Directory” above.
The “Certification Upgrade Criteria” chart above specifies the requirements for advancing from one level of certification to the next in a particular discipline. Officials who believe they have met these criteria may use the Upgrade Checklists found in the Resources and Best Practices documents (Certification) and have senior certified officials verify that they possess the necessary knowledge and skills for an upgrade in the discipline. Officials may then complete an Upgrade Application (see above) and submit the application and checklist to their Certification Chair for consideration.
Learn more about membership and how to join here. Memberships paid for in November or December are valid for the entire following year.
To apply for initial certification or recertification, officials complete one of the application forms taken from the blue banners above and send the form to their Certification Chair.
There is a $22.00 fee for this screening which must be accomplished once every two years. The screening provider is the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI), which conducts the following screenings:
Learn more about Background Screening and how to submit yours at this link.
The United States Olympic Committee requires all National Governing Bodies to implement the SafeSport training program throughout their organization, and this includes all USATF officials. Through education, resources, and training, members of the sport community recognize, reduce, and respond to misconduct in sport and create a healthy, supportive environment for athletes. Additional information about SafeSport is available at this link. The training is offered online and includes videos, charts & graphics, and quizzes. Completion of the core training course is required once during every four-year Olympiad period, plus a short refresher course once each calendar year starting in 2021. You can find instructions for the training online here. In order to receive completion credit, be certain to select “Official” as your primary position, specify “USA Track & Field” as your National Governing Body, and include your USATF membership number.
The purpose of the open-book rules review is for officials to become familiar with appropriate rule books, and to gain and demonstrate knowledge about selected rules governing track and field events. Officials must complete the rules review appropriate to their certification level and discipline with at least the specified minimum passing score. Click here for Rules Reviews for all disciplines.
The National Officials Committee expects all officials to be prepared and to conduct themselves in a professional manner. The National Officials Committee's Code of Ethics and Performance Guidelines describe the manner in which all certified officials must conduct themselves and outline several characteristics that should be demonstrated by all certified officials.
The following slideshows are offered as possible content for clinics you conduct. You may choose to use all or none of the slides, or use some and modify others – whatever suits your needs.