What are the levels of swimming official, and how do I qualify?

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Accepted Answer

There are five levels of swimming technical official in England: Level Minimum age Prerequisite Training Timekeeper 14 (recommended) Member of a Swim England affiliated club or the Institute of Swimming Short theory session, then a practical assessment signed off by a licensed referee or J2S Judge Level 1 (J1) 15 at course start Timekeeper Online theory, then practical sign-off. Covers inspector of turns and chief inspector of turns Judge Level 2 (J2) 16 J1 Formal instruction and mentored poolside training with a workbook, then practical assessment. Covers all aspects of judging Judge Level 2S (Starter) 16 J2 plus at least 20 hours of post-qualification experience as a J2 Starter training and prescribed experience, then practical assessment Referee 19 to start training, and 20 by 30 November in the year of the theory exam Set by British Swimming Theory, specified practical experience, a written exam in November, then a poolside practical assessment Officials are expected to gain at least six months of poolside experience, recorded in a logbook, before moving to the next level. Qualified officials are registered with Swim England through their club's membership (as Club Support members if they don't compete).

Level	Minimum age	Prerequisite	Training
Timekeeper	14 (recommended)	Member of a Swim England affiliated club or the Institute of Swimming	Short theory session, then a practical assessment signed off by a licensed referee or J2S
Judge Level 1 (J1)	15 at course start	Timekeeper	Online theory, then practical sign-off. Covers inspector of turns and chief inspector of turns
Judge Level 2 (J2)	16	J1	Formal instruction and mentored poolside training with a workbook, then practical assessment. Covers all aspects of judging
Judge Level 2S (Starter)	16	J2 plus at least 20 hours of post-qualification experience as a J2	Starter training and prescribed experience, then practical assessment
Referee	19 to start training, and 20 by 30 November in the year of the theory exam	Set by British Swimming	Theory, specified practical experience, a written exam in November, then a poolside practical assessment