Officials
High quality competition experience begins with great technical officials.
Exceptional technical officials are the backbone of the competition experience for athletes of all ages and ability levels. They uphold two of the main pillars of the sport system: Safety and Fairness. Accurate and capable officiating makes all the difference.
By becoming a technical official, you will join a dedicated network of volunteers from across the country that are supported by their Provincial Sport Organization and mentored by senior members of the Triathlon Canada technical teams. Alongside the best, you’ll learn everything from ethics and decision-making to event organization.
Once you’ve got a few years of officiating under your belt, you could be nominated to become qualified as an official for national or international races. All officials at the Olympic/Paralympic Games started as a Level 1 in their local communities!
Join the program and help build the future of our sport.

National Officiating Portal
The Triathlon Canada National Officiating Portal is our training and education hub for registered technical officials. In addition to access to the portal, registering as an Official with Triathlon Canada and completing the SafeSport requirements will allow officials to be included on the National Triathlon Technical Officials Registry. Some of the features include:
- A personalized transcript to track your progress
- A Learning Management System (LMS) for online training
- Enhanced Police Information Checks as needed
- Respect training as needed
- General liability insurance coverage through Jones Brown
- Reminders for renewals and courses
- Officiating tools and templates
- A comprehensive database of resources
- Direct contact with your support team
To gain access to the portal, simply obtain a Provincial Technical Officials Membership. For more information on your Provincial Sport Organization and access to member registration, please click the button below.
Already a licensed Technical Official? Click HERE for assistance with accessing the National TO Portal.
Find out more about the Technical Officials Program here:
Basic Registration for Technical Officials
Technical Officials are the foundation for two of the biggest pillars in sport: Safety and Fairness. The Safe Sport movement is important for all within the sport system, but this is especially true for those who uphold and guarantee safety and fairness for all participants. Triathlon Canada’s National Triathlon Registration System (NTRS) has been developed to create a more professional and protected community within the sport of triathlon. Registration is an important first step for all technical officials, as it demonstrates our commitment as a program to the ideals of Safe Sport. Basic registration includes 4 steps – steps 2 to 4 can be completed within the Officiating Portal:
Steps to Registration
Step 1: Register as a Technical Official with your Provincial Sport Organization (PSO)
Step 2: Complete an Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC)
Step 3: Complete Respect in Sport training – “CAC Respect in Sport”
Step 4: Complete concussion awareness training – “Making Headway in Sport”
Understanding the Officiating Pathway
Overview
Officiating is a single linear pathway. Education and training is provided at each level to meet the competition requirements that match each stage. Most officials in Canada are Provincial Technical Officials. This group provides support to community events across the country and are the foundation for the whole program.
Training for officials is a collaborative process between the Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs), Triathlon Canada and World Triathlon (TRI). Each organization takes the lead for a block of training, but all are building on a common foundation.
Click here to download the Officiating Pathway Infographic.
Achievement Markers
Technical Officials are described as follows:
- Registered – when they have complete all the basic registration requirements
- Certified – when they have successfully completed all evaluation requirements for a context
“Registered” status is provided to all officials who have met the Safe Sport requirements outlined above. All registered officials are included on a national registry described in the next section.
To become “certified” in an officiating context, officials must participate in training opportunities to acquire and refine their skills and then be assessed on their ability to perform within that context. Knowledge of the Competition Rules and operational procedures in the assigned sector(s) will be tested.
Certified officials enjoy the credibility of the sporting community and of the athletes they officiate because they have been observed and assessed “doing” what is required of them as a competent official. They are recognized as meeting or exceeding the high standards set for this program.
National Triathlon Officials Registry
The National Triathlon Officials Registry is a list of nationally endorsed officials. Inclusion on this list will let the public know that an official has met Triathlon Canada’s SafeSport standards; showing that the official values and upholds the philosophies of the SafeSport Movement. The SafeSport criteria are as follows:
- Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) (renewed every 2 years)
- Respect in Sport (renewed every 4 years)
- Concussion Awareness: Making Head Way in Sport
Officiating Contexts:
Provincial Technical Official Training
Most officials in Canada are Provincial Technical Officials. This group officiates community events across the country and are the foundation for the whole program. There are two stages within the PTO designation identified as Level 1 & Level 2. The PTO-1 course covers the roles and responsibilities of a technical official, the triathlon competition rules in the context of age-group triathlon, and an overview of the penalty system.
The PTO-2 course continues to build on these areas and provides additional training in sector operations and management. The provincial programs vary slightly from region to region, so be sure to connect with your provincial program administrator. PTOs can work at national or international events within Canada, typically in supporting roles.
Steps to Certification as a Provincial Technical Official (PTO):
Step 1: Complete the Basic Registration requirements (see above)
Step 2: Complete the PTO-1 Course provided by your PSO
Step 3: Complete and successfully pass the PTO-1 assessments required by your PSO
Status: “PTO-1 Certified”
Step 4: Meet the eligibility criteria for PTO-2 outlined by your PSO
Step 5: Complete the PTO-2 Course provided by your PSO
Step 6: Complete and successfully pass the PTO-2 assessments required by your PSO
Status: “PTO-2 Certified”
National Technical Official Training
The National Technical Official program is managed and run by Triathlon Canada. This context is where integration into the international technical program begins. The NTO training program follows a Triathlon Canada syllabus that has been approved by World Triathlon (TRI).
The NTO program applies all the skills and knowledge gained through the PTO program with the added context of elite and draft-legal racing (“elite” is inclusive of junior, U23, & para). As a World Triathlon accredited program, Triathlon Canada’s NTO course also meets the standards for international recognition as a World Triathlon Level 1 technical official. The course is two days (three, if combined with an event) and facilitated in person. In addition to passing the exam, an assessment at a Triathlon Canada National Championships and at a World Triathlon event (usually a Continental Cup or World Cup) is required.
Technical officials who meet the eligibility criteria provided below must be nominated to the NTO course by their PSO.
NTO Eligibility Criteria
NTO Course Overview
Steps to Certification as a National Technical Official:
Step 1: Meet the Triathlon Canada eligibility criteria
Step 2: Be nominated by your PSO
Step 3: Successfully complete the NTO course & exam
Step 4: Successfully complete an assessment at a National Triathlon Canada event
Step 5: Successfully complete an assessment at an international World Triathlon event
Status: NTO/World Triathlon Level 1 Certified
Status “NTO Certified”
International Technical Official Training
There are three certification levels offered as part of the International Technical Official program. These are:
- World Triathlon Level 1: crossover with NTO course content
- World Triathlon Level 2: also referred to as “Continental Technical Official” (CTO)
- World Triathlon Level 3: also referred to as “International Technical Official” (ITO)
The World Triathlon Level 3 is further subdivided into 3A and 3B levels. Both the Level 2 and Level 3 programs are fully managed and operated by World Triathlon (TRI). This includes course scheduling, invitation to or eligibility for the course, and the revalidation processes.
If you have any questions about TRI’s TO certification system, you can find further information on the World Triathlon website, or contact the Triathlon Canada Technical Officials’ Coordinator at
Steps to Certification as an International Technical Official:
Step 1: Complete NTO certification
Step 2: Complete a World Triathlon level 1 Validation Event and successful evaluation
Status: World Triathlon Level 1 Certified
Step 3: Receive an invitation from World Triathlon to attend the Level 2 (CTO) course
Step 4: Complete the World Triathlon Level 2 Course
Step 5: Complete the World Triathlon Level 2 Evaluation
Status: World Triathlon Level 2 (CTO) Certified
Step 6: Receive an invitation from World Triathlon to attend the Level 3 (ITO) Course
Step 7: Complete the World Triathlon Level 3 Course
Step 8: Complete the World Triathlon Level 3 Evaluation
Status: World Triathlon Level 3 (ITO) Certified
Already a Triathlon Official?
Maintenance of Certification
All technical officials, regardless of level achieved, are required to revalidate their status on a periodic basis. Revalidation is an integral part of the professional development process. The revalidation period and method is dependent on the level (see outline below). It is only necessary to revalidate at your current level; so, a PTO-2 only needs to revalidate at PTO-2, not PTO-1 and PTO-2.
PTO-1, PTO-2 and NTOs will be contacted by their province or Triathlon Canada when it is time to revalidate. Individuals holding a World Triathlon designation will be contacted by World Triathlon when they are due to revalidate their level.
World Triathlon requires World Triathlon Level 2 and World Triathlon Level 3 candidates to successfully challenge Level 1 or Level 2 revalidation before being eligible for the World Triathlon Level 2 or World Triathlon Level 3 course. If this applies to you, you will be contacted by TRI.
PTO-1 / PTO-2
PTO revalidation criteria are set by each province and may include a mixture of field-of-play assessment, re-attending a course or challenging an exam..
NTO/World Triathlon Level 1
Revalidation interval: Four years
Revalidation method: Complete the World Triathlon NTO online recertification
World Triathlon Level 2
Revalidation interval: Four years
Revalidation method: World Triathlon e-learning platform
World Triathlon Level 3
Revalidation interval: Three years
Revalidation method: World Triathlon Level 3 course (in person)
Professional Development
Triathlon Canada values the concept of lifelong learning and sharing within the national officiating community. Our sport is always evolving, and a system of ongoing professional development ensures that our officials are current on best practices and able to provide an amazing racing experience to athletes across the country.
Triathlon Canada’s Technical Committee offer a series of professional development opportunities throughout the year as online webinars. Videos of past sessions are also available within the Technical Officials Portal.
Officiating Resources and Tools
Most resources for Technical Officials are housed within the Technical Officials Portal. To access the portal, simply register as a technical official with your PSO. Documents and links can be found under the “Tools” tab.
General resources can be found on the publications page here: Technical Officials Publications
Sign up for updates on the National Technical Officials program.

The official start line for triathlon in Canada, leading some on the way to the podium and inspiring others to achieve their best performances.