Categories of Officials

To become a USA Triathlon official, one must participate in one of the many clinics held around the country each year. There is no charge for attending a clinic. One must be a member of USA Triathlon and bring the membership card or join at the clinic. Clinics are held in conjunction with a sanctioned event, and will have USA Triathlon officials assigned to marshal the race. The Officials Certification Clinic consists of about three hours of classroom lecture and discussion. Each clinic has a limited number of spaces and applicants are urged to contact the clinic instructor to reserve a space early. Each participant is sent files for the Officials Manual and a take-home exam that must be completed and returned to the instructor prior to the beginning of the class. Classroom portions of the clinics are taught on the day or evening prior to the triathlon or duathlon. On race day, the clinic participant will be assigned to marshal some portion of the race, under the supervision of the clinic instructor. USA Triathlon officials uniforms are issued to each new official on race day.

Upon completion of the Officials Certification Clinic (classroom, examination and race practicum), the graduate is classified as a Category 4 Official. Cat 4 Officials have 12 months from the date they attend a clinic to become fully certified as Cat 3 referees. Full certification requires the Cat 4 Referee to work an additional two races under a USAT referee's supervision, and in a volunteer capacity. To remain active, Cat 1, 2 or 3 officials are required to attend a certification clinic every two years and to successfully pass a certification examination. 

The categories of officials (Cat I, II, etc) and how to upgrade

CAT 5 (clinic participant only)
1. Attend, participate, and complete classroom session of clinics.
2. Satisfactorily complete the written examination of the Competitive Rules.
3. Demonstrate a sincere interest in officiating.
4. Be in good physical condition, weigh less than 215 lbs, and be capable of riding for hours at a time as a passenger on a          motorcycle.
5. Be a member of USA Triathlon.
6. Participate satisfactorily in the race practicum.

CAT 4
1. Satisfactorily participate in the clinic and related race event.
2. Be recommended by the clinic instructor to the Regional Coordinator.
3. Be a member of USA Triathlon.
Note: Cat 4 serves in a probationary period.

CAT 3
1. Satisfactorily assist in two (2) sanctioned events within 12 months, supervised by a Cat 1, 2 or 3.
2. Supply the Regional Coordinator with application for advancement and all appropriate documents of experience including letters of recommendation from supervising officials.
3. Satisfactorily complete a certification clinic every two (2) years.
4. Be a member of USA Triathlon.
Note: Cat 3 may operate as Head Referee.

CAT 2
1. Serve as a Cat 3 for at least one (1) year.
2. Satisfactorily work at six (6) events including service as Head Referee at two (2) of those events after advancing to Cat 3.
3. Satisfactorily complete a certification clinic every two (2) years.
4. Be recommended in writing by two Cat 1 or Cat 2 referees as having demonstrated superior officiating skills and judgment.
5. Submit application for advancement, with documentation to Regional Coordinator.
6. Be a member of USA Triathlon.

CAT 1
1. Serve as a Cat 2 for at least one (1) year
2. Satisfactorily work at eight (8) events including service as Head Referee at four (4) events after advancing to Cat 2. One of the Head assignments must be at a “Pro rules” event.
3. Satisfactorily complete a certification clinic every two (2) years.
4. Be recommended in writing by two Cat 1 or Cat 2 referees as having demonstrated superior officiating skills and judgment.
5. Submit application for advancement, with documentation to RC.
6. Be a member of USA Triathlon.