Level 4 / 5 Certification Update

In September Swim Ontario updated the process for Level 4 and Level 5 certification and published a new quick reference pathway guide.

This update from the Referee Evaluation Committee will clarify the process and requirements for those officials seeking Level 4/5 certification.

General Process

1. Candidates who have not already done so should declare their intent to seek a Level 4/5 certification by e-mailing refevals@swimontario.com. This will allow candidates to take advantage of province wide Q&A sessions and other support during the certification process.
2. Candidates should review the clarifications below to assist them in meeting the requirements for their submission.
3. Candidates should submit their formal application directly to refevals@swimontario.com. The referee evaluations committee will review and validate the submission.
4. The committee will advise the ROR of the receipt of a valid submission and provide the ROR an opportunity to provide any additional feedback to the committee
5. The committee will then schedule the formal evaluation.
6. The candidate will receive the formal notice from Swim Ontario of their scheduled evaluation date.

Level 4 Submission Requirements

1. The 5 referee sign-offs (not necessarily referee assessments) on the official’s card should done by a minimum of 3 different Level 5 officials. All signatures must be done at different meets. There is NO time limit for the 5 signatures.
2. As part of the pandemic recovery the committee has relaxed the timeframe for conducting clinics. For the 2022/23 season supervised clinics conducted in the 24 months preceding the application will be accepted for Level IV applicants. Starting in the 2023/24 season requirements will revert to within 12 months of application.
3. The 3 referee assessments must be within the 12 months preceding the date of application.
4. The two sessions as judge of stroke or inspector of turns can be at any competition in Canada, within 12 months and should be part of your deck log.
5. Candidates may request that one of their referee assessments be conducted out of province. All such requests must be pre-approved and candidates should contact the committee for further details.
6. Completion of the Para-Swimming LMS e-module or the Domestic Para-Swimming Clinic if not completed previously.

Level 5 Submission Requirements

1. The clinics do not need to be supervised but they must be verifiable. Clinics conducted and recorded through the learning management system (LMS) are the most easily verified. Clinics conducted with manual paperwork should ensure that the paperwork was properly submitted to Swim Ontario by their COC/COA. Starting in the 2023/24 season the use of the LMS for clinics is mandatory.
2. The 2 sessions at a Swimming Canada national competition have no timeframe requirement and can be at any point after attaining Level III certification.
3. As part of the pandemic recovery period for the 2022/23 season the committee will accept an out-of-region referee assessment within 24 months of the date of application. Starting in the 2023/24 season the timing requirement will revert to within 12 months of application.
4. Candidates may request that one of their referee assessments be conducted out of province. This out of province assessment can also be used instead of an out of region assessment. All such requests must be pre-approved and candidates should contact the committee for further details.
5. Completion of the Para-Swimming LMS e-module or the Domestic Para-Swimming Clinic if not completed previously.

Please see Level 4 and Level 5 certification pages for more details on these updates.

A reminder to contact refevals@swimontario.com to declare your intent and take advantage of upcoming Q&A sessions.