NEW Background Check & Re-Certification Details.

USA Swimming has provided new details about required background checks for Officials. Consequently, Connecticut Swimming will be managing the process of extending officials’ certifications a little differently than just previously announced.  “Officials” includes trainees.

On or about December 31, 2010, Officials who registered with USA/Connecticut Swimming for 2011 and worked the required six meet sessions in 2010 will have their certification expiration dates extended in OTS.  The “Expires” field, as it appears on the Officials Certification Card, will be the sooner of: 24 months since the last clinic was attended, or 24 months since the last online test was passed, or December 31, 2011.  For Referees, the requirement is 12 months since the last clinic, but Referees have until February 15 to meet this new annual clinic requirement.  Trainees’ certifications expire 12 months following their clinics. See the Officials page at ctswim.org for clinic announcements.

A new “Valid To” field will be added to the Officials Certification Card to cover the background check.  This is being tested and will appear on the cards on January 6.  For Officials who have renewed their USA/Connecticut Swimming registrations for 2011, the “Valid To” date initially will be February 15, the deadline for completion of the background checks by Officials.  Officials should use OTS to print new Officials Certification Cards after January 6.  As Officials pass their background checks, the “Valid To” date will be extended two years ahead.  Officials will need to use OTS again to print a new Officials Certification Card with the new date.

Officials can apply online for background checks at usaswimming.org beginning January 10.  If you apply before January 10, you will be ordering the wrong background check from the wrong vendor.  It will only be valid for one year and you will need to apply for another background check and pay the fee again.  It is suggested you apply for the background check soon after January 10 so it can be completed by the February 15 deadline. The cost of the initial background check will be $39.  It is valid for two years. Subsequent checks will be $19.

Only the USA Swimming Level 2 background check is acceptable for officials.  Background checks from other organizations or sources are not acceptable. The initial background check will include a search of national criminal and sex offender databases, a social security trace, a search of alias names, and a once per month update of the national criminal database for a period of 24 months.  The Level 2 check includes a county criminal search in all counties of residence the past 7-10 years.

Meets hosts and Referees must check the OTS official’s certification cards at meets for two dates: the “Valid To” background check date and the certification “Expires” date.

Your 2011 USA/Connecticut Swimming Membership Card will be mailed to you after you successfully complete your background check. No “Temporary” cards will be mailed.