Eligibility Review Procedures

Questions on eligibility or the process to determine eligibility shall be directed to rules@usmastersswimming.org and eligibility@usmastersswimming.org. 

Pre-Event Eligibility Determination

Here are the details for trans female swimmers wishing to determine eligibility based on the USMS Policy on Transgender Swimmer Inclusion.

NOTE: It is recommended that pre-event eligibility determination requests be submitted at least 30 days in advance of entering a sanctioned event. 

1. Email hormone testing documentation to rules@usmastersswimming.org and eligibility@usmastersswimming.org.

2. The eligibility review panel will be notified of the request and respond as soon as reasonably possible.

3. Eligibility determination is valid through the current membership year which ends December 31.

a. Although not required, swimmers may proactively provide updated documentation for the next membership year so USMS may keep pre-determined eligibility updated. 
b. If the members does not update eligibility in future year(s), they may continue to swim in the category they feel is most appropriate, subject to the USMS policy on transgender swimmer inclusion (i.e., must be prepared to provide documentation in the event of an eligibility review request or protest). Documentation not being available could lead to the loss of official recognition.

Eligibility Review Requests and Protests

The guidelines and process for those wishing to request an eligibility review or to protest transgender eligibility per article 102.14.6 and the USMS Policy on Transgender Swimmer Inclusion are:

1. Swimmers from the same gender category, same age group, and having participated in the same event (i.e., distance and stroke), during the same season may request an eligibility review of another swimmer.

2. Eligibility review requests and protests must be made by the submission deadline for each course’s season.

3. Requests and protests must be emailed to rules@usmastersswimming.org and eligibility@usmastersswimming.org from the email address associated with the USMS membership account and include the name of the  requestor/protestor and USMS registration ID. The email must also include the name of the swimmer to be reviewed, the date(s) of swims, and events (i.e. distance and stroke) swum.

4. If the swimmer has already been determined eligible, USMS will respond with that information as soon as reasonably possible.

5. If the swimmer has not been pre-determined as eligible, the eligibility review panel will request documentation as outlined in the USMS Policy on Transgender Swimmer Inclusion. The swimmer will have 30 days to respond with the documentation and USMS will make reasonable efforts to contact and remind the swimmer of the required documentation during the 30-day period.

6. Eligibility determination is valid through the current membership year which ends December 31.

7. As soon as reasonably possible after eligibility documentation is submitted or the conclusion of the 30-day response window, USMS will inform the requestor/protestor of the eligibility decision. Eligibility determination is valid through the current membership year, which ends on December 31.

a. Although not required, swimmers may proactively provide updated documentation for the next membership year, so USMS may keep pre-determined eligibility updated. 
b. If members do not update eligibility in future year(s), they may continue to swim in the category they feel is most appropriate, subject to the USMS policy on Transgender Swimmer Inclusion (i.e., must be prepared to provide documentation in the event of an eligibility review request or protest). Documentation not being available could lead to the loss of official recognition.

USMS Rules Committee, December 2024

Adopted: December 2024