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The Texas Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Officials aka TISDO is the group representing the officials for Texas high school swimming and diving through the University Interscholastic League (UIL).
Criminal background checks required
To: TISDO Officials
From: TISDO Board of Directors
Date: November 8, 2025
Re: Mandatory Criminal Background Checks
All TISDO members are required by state law (UIL 1204 and TEC 33.085) to pass a criminal background check in order to participate. The law requires officials in UIL contests to have passed a criminal background check when they first join the organization and every three years thereafter.
Many of us complete a BGC for various organizations and have learned the systems do not talk to one another. You must complete the BGC through Dragonfly without regard to any other BGCs you have completed.
The BGCs are processed through Dragonfly during your registration and testing in the fall. There is a separate fee for the BGC (in addition to the NFHS fee ($25) and the TISDO fee ($5). After the BGC, you will not get a separate notification from Dragonfly (check in your account to verify). Should there be a discrepancy the TISDO BOD will review the report.
PROCESS
Log into your Dragonfly account then go to “Complete Your Registration”
Scroll down to “Clear Checks Background Check”
Continue to follow the prompts and submit
Pay the fee.
We know this does impose an additional burden but it is mandatory..
Rules updates from nfhs & uil
UIL Rules updates
Use of Backstroke Ledges
NFHS Rule 2-7-3 was approved, which allows state high school associations to adopt rules permitting the use of backstroke ledges/wedges during competitions beginning with the 2025-26 school year. This rule change reflects a balanced decision based on thorough research, risk minimization strategies, and alignment with best practices in competitive swimming.
The Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (TISCA) and the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Aquatics Committee have been supportive of and advocating for this rule change for several years. As a result of the strong level of support, the UIL will adopt Rule 2-7-3 with the following stipulations:
- According to NFHS Rule 2-7-3, backstroke ledges may ONLY be used in pools that maintain a minimum of 6-foot water depth, measured from the starting end wall to at least 16 feet, 5 inches (5 meters) from the end wall.
- The rule also specifies the acceptable dimensions for the ledges.
- When using a backstroke ledge at the start, at least one toe of both feet must be in contact with the end wall or face of the TouchPad.
- AQUATIC FACILITIES WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO USE LEDGES DURING REGULAR SEASON COMPETITIONS OR DURING UIL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS.
- UIL Regional Meet sites and UIL State Championship sites will provide identical ledges for all lanes.
- Under Rule 2-7-3, if backstroke ledges are used in a competition, identical ledges must be provided by the host team for all lanes.
- Individual swimmers are not required to use them in any meet, including Regional and State Championship Meets, even if the ledges are available.
Coaches are encouraged to educate themselves and use the resources available to them to develop a clear understanding of how to teach proper technique and risk minimization strategies for the use of backstroke ledges. It is of utmost importance that coaches ensure that prior to a swimmer utilizing a backstroke ledge in UIL competition, they ensure that the swimmer has a firm understanding of proper technique and safety procedures. Mastery of performing a backstroke start using a ledge will be paramount to insure risk minimization.
Use of Relay Takeoff Judging Platforms
UIL Protocols for Electronic Relay Judging Equipment
The following protocols will be utilized for the 2024-25 UIL Swimming & Diving Season.
In all UIL championship meets in which electronic relay judging equipment is being utilized, a minimum of two (2), preferably four (4), relay takeoff judges must be assigned to observe relay exchanges.
- An individual relay takeoff judge should be assigned to observe no more than four (4), preferably two (2) lanes.
- Side takeoff judges should be positioned on the side of the pool nearest the lanes for which they have responsibility.
- Lane takeoff judges should be positioned facing the side judge and adjacent to starting platforms for which they have responsibility, where they will have an unrestricted view of the incoming and outgoing touches and departures.
- An alleged rules infraction, that is observed by any of the takeoff judges, shall be recorded immediately in writing. Each relay takeoff judge, who observes an alleged rules violation, shall wait until the last competitor of the heat is in the water before signaling an observed violation by raising a hand overhead, with open palm. Both officials observing relay takeoff exchanges shall not be located next to each other on the side of the pool.
- When the relay judging equipment records an exchange of 0.00 and beyond on the positive side, or from the manufacturer’s starting point, there shall not be an early relay takeoff violation charged unless there has been an observed contact with the starting block by a swimmer or team personnel at the block and observed by the official assigned to the lane.
- Should the electronic relay judging equipment fail, it would take dual confirmation from officials to validate a DQ.
- PLEASE USE THE TABLE ON THE UIL SWIMMING & DIVING WEBSITE FOR SPECIFICS ON THE DIFFERENT TIMING SYSTEMS AVAILABLE.
Insurance questions
From USA Swimming Risk Management
USA Swimming officials have insurance through USA Swimming , but only when they are officiating as USA Swimming officials at USA Swimming Sanctioned, Approved, or Observed Competitions. Observed meets are competitions run under rules other than USA Swimming rules (e.g., NFHS rules) where, prior to the competition, the hosts secured Observed status from the relevant USA Swimming Local Swimming Committee. USA Swimming officials conducting observer duties at an Observed high school swimming competition in compliance with USA Swimming rules will have insurance for their observer duties. However, if that official is serving in a dual capacity where they are also a high school official at the competition, and at any time they are serving solely as a high school official (not in a dual USA Swimming observer capacity), they do not have insurance through USA Swimming for their high school officiating duties.
We do not yet have a similar statement from USA Diving.
2026- 2027 Registration
Registration will open for the 2026-27 high school season on September 1, 2026
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025-26 HIGH SCHOOL SEASON IS CLOSED.
Remember that registration and testing is a THREE-part process. First login into Dragonfly and register (and pay) for NFHS registration. This will give you access to the online rule book.
Part 2 is to register with TISDO (and the UIL. Please, please select TIER 2 (TISDO is a Tier 2 group under NFHS). Do not use the UIL tab.
Follow this link https://www.dragonflymax.com/be-an-official and select Tier 2 then create your account.
Part 3 is the criminal background (initially for new members and every three years for returning members.).
Need help with Registration through Dragonfly?
See the link for help registering as NFHS/TISDO Tier 2 official
State Meet Applications
The UIL has increased the pay and added mileage for the UIL State Championship Meets.
Meet Judge/Official pay will be $100.00 per session, plus mileage and hotel stay.
UIL Incident Reporting Link
The UIL has updated the incident reporting form this school year. It is still the same interface for officials when submitting reports, it is just processed through a different back-end platform now (Smartsheets).
The updated link to the Swimming & Diving Incident Report is:https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0196f8e26b6f79f096cc95658ecf1076
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