National Referee Checklist

National TO Application

International Weightlifting Federation Category 2 TO Application

International Weightlifting Federation Category 1 TO Application

Adaptive Referee Testing Requirements

***For the purposes of this document, "national level competition" and "national competitions" refer to the major events sponsored by USAW annually, including the American Open Series I & II, Nationals Week (YN, JRN/U25, USAW NC), and the American Open Final. In addition, sessions worked at the Howard Cohen Masters American Open and Masters Nationals may be counted toward the total required national event sessions.

To become a Local referee, one must:

• Be a current USA Weightlifting member, 18 years or older. Results for those who attempt to take the online test without a USA Weightlifting membership will not be processed.
• Other than the cost of USAW membership renewal, there are no costs or fees associated with becoming a USA Weightlifting Local (WSO) referee.
• View the online clinic at: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/Referees/Referee-Clinic-Video
• Pass the online test. Instructions on how to access the test can be found at the end of the clinic.
• If you do not pass the online test, there is a 30-day waiting period before it may be attempted a second time.
• A USAW Local Referee license remains valid as long as the holder remains a current USAW member.
• U.S. Center for SafeSport training in good standing.

A USAW National Referee may: officiate at any USA Weightlifting sanctioned local competition and all USAW national competitions.

To become a National Referee, one must:

• Submit an USAW Referee Test Application to take the written and practical examinations.
• Attend the online candidate rules seminar and pass the written test with a minimum score of 85%.
• Attend a USAW national event for the practical test and pass with a minimum score of 90%.
• USA Weightlifting background check i n good standing.
• USA Weightlifting SafeSport education i n good standing

Upon successful completion of the above:

• The National Office will issue a USA Weightlifting National Referee license and USA Weightlifting National Referee patch to the successful applicant.
• Other than USAW membership renewal, there are no costs or fees associated with becoming a USA Weightlifting National Referee.
• A USAW National Referee license remains valid as long as the holder maintains a current USAW membership.

An IWF Category 2 ITO may:

• Officiate at all local USAW sanctioned events, international tournaments, regional games, and continental championships.

To become an IWF Category 2 Technical Official, one must:

• Be a current member of USAW i n good standing.
• Minimum of 5 years total experience as a referee, including at l east 36 months at National Referee ranking.
• Within the 24 months prior to application, officiate at a minimum of 12 total competitions, 8 of which must be USAW national competitions.
• Submit a USAW Referee Test Application to take the IWF Category 2 written and practical tests.
• Attend the online candidate rules seminar and pass the written test with a minimum score of 85%.
• Attend a USAW national event for the practical test and pass with a minimum score of 90%.
• USA Weightlifting background check in good standing.
• USA Weightlifting SafeSport education i n good standing.

Upon successful completion of the above:

• The applicant must provide the payment for the cost of an IWF Category 2 ITO License to USAW. See the IWF rules for the current cost of an IWF Category 2 ITO License.
• USAW will forward this payment to the IWF; and obtain an IWF Category 2 ITO License for the successful applicant.

An IWF Category 2 ITO may:

• Officiate at all local USAW sanctioned events, international tournaments, regional games, and continental championships, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.

To become an IWF Category 1 Technical Official, one must:

• Be a current USAW member i n good standing.
• Minimum of two years as an IWF Category 2 Technical Official.
• Within the 24 calendar months to the application, the applicant must have officiated at an minimum of 8 total competitions, 4 of which must be USAW national competitions.
• Submit a USAW Referee Test Application to take the IWF Category 1 written and practical tests.
• Attend the online candidate rules seminar and pass the written test with a minimum score of 90%.
• Attend a USAW national event for the practical test and pass with a minimum score of 95%.
• USA Weightlifting background check i n good standing.
• USA Weightlifting SafeSport education i n good standing.

Upon successful completion of the above:

• The applicant must provide payment for the cost of an IWF Category 1 ITO License to USAW. See the IWF rules for the current cost of an IWF Category 1 ITO License.
• USAW will forward this payment to the IWF and obtain an IWF Category 1 ITO License for the successful applicant.
• An IWF ITO License must be renewed with the IWF every Olympic period (four years).
• See the IWF rules for current costs and fees for the renewal of an IWF Category 1 or IWF Category 2 ITO License.