Last Updated June 2024
To be considered for initial or renewal certification, a candidate must meet all the requirements for that level as well as those listed in section 12.3 of the Judges Manual. For certification, the following defined terms apply to all levels: a) References — A statement from another individual as required commenting on your competency, ability, and character for the requested certification. References shall be submitted electronically.
- References submitted by a Judge (all levels) or Instructor shall be done via the form at this link:
http://www.ussailing.org/race-officials/certification-forms/recommend-a-candidate-to-be-a-race-official/
Applicants are advised to review the recommendation form so that they know the evaluation criteria.
- References are not allowed to be submitted by the RAJ from your area for National Judge.
- References must be submitted by the Chief Judge or their designee at the event, including a Protest day. The applicant must request a reference with the person referring before the event. It is encouraged that the reference is turned in within 30 days of the event.
- Event – One or more races treated together by a Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.
- Hearing – a convened panel of one or more judges under part 5 of the RRS following the submission of a form described in RRS 61.2 or 62.2. Also, a convened panel acting under RRS 60.3. To count as a hearing, facts shall be found, a decision shall be rendered, and both shall be communicated to the parties.
- Protest Committees – attendance at an event as a Club, Regional, or National Judge.
Certification Requirements continue on next page
| Last 4 years unless stated otherwise, CJ = Club
Judge, RJ= US Regional Judge, NJ = US National Judge or Canadian NJ, IJ = World Sailing International Judge |
Club Judge
Initial Certification |
Club Judge Renewal | Regional Judge Initial Certification | Regional Judge Renewal | National Judge Initial Certification | National Judge Renewal |
| References. The applicant must request a reference with the person referring before the event. References must be submitted by the Chief Judge or their designee. The reference should be turned in within 30 days of the event. | 2 from RJ or higher, 1 may be from Protest Day. | 3, 1 from NJ or IJ, remainder RJ or
higher, 1 may be from Protest Day. |
3, all from NJ or IJ, 1 may be from Protest Day. | |||
| SafeSport Certification and Background Check | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Continuing Education Units for Renewal | 80 | 160 | 160 | |||
| Test Score Required | 80% on CJ or Adv test in last 4 years | Test during current quad and within last 18 months | 84% on advanced test in last 4 years | Test during current quad and within last 18 months | 84% on advanced
test in last 4 years |
Test during current quad and within last 18 months |
| Be knowledgeable and experienced in the running of races: have performed a major role with race management committees on the water in at least four events in the U.S. during the last four years. | Yes | Yes, unless done for RJ | ||||
| Be certified as US Sailing CJ or RJ | Yes | |||||
| Required Hearings Minimum | 3, only 1 may come from
Protest Day. |
4, only 1
may come from Protest Day. |
6, 3 regional or higher, 2 may
come from Protest day. Chair 3, only 1 may come from Protest Day. |
8, 3 regional or higher, 2 may come from Protest day.
Chair 3, only 1 may come from Protest Day. |
8 regional or higher,
2 may come from Protest day. Chair 3 regional or higher, only 1 may come from Protest Day. |
8 regional or higher, 2 may come from Protest Day. Chair 3
regional or higher, only 1 may come from Protest Day. |
| Be an active member at events at least the last: | 2 years | 2 years | 4 years | 4 years | ||
| Required Events Minimum, see Discretion(1) | 4 | 4 | 8, 3 regional or higher, at least 6 fleet | 8, 3 regional or higher, at least 6
fleet |
8 regional or higher, at least 6 fleet | Same as NJ initial certification except a certified umpire may count 3 events meeting Criteria (1) |
| Min number of Class B or C Events, Natl or higher | 4 | 4 | ||||
| National, Continental, International > 180 miles from candidates home. See Discretions (2), (3) | 2 | 2, a certified umpire may count 1 event meeting Criteria (1) | ||||
| Number of events as Chief Judge | 4 | 4, a certified umpire may count 2 events meeting Criteria (1) | ||||
| Shall be qualified to be a Chief Judge of a national championship event anywhere in the U.S. | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Criteria (1): A certified umpire may count the specified number of events or hearings towards this requirement.The event or hearing shall be detailed in the comments section of the event in
SOARS and be one of the following types: Redress hearing at a Team or Match race, or Damage hearing at a Team or Match race, or Black Flag hearing at a Team race, or Red Flag hearing at a Match race. |
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| Discretion(1): Consideration may be given by the JC for service on an association appeals committee to meet the requirements for serving on protest committees. | ||||||
| Discretion(2): The JC may make an exception for a candidate who has served on six or more Class B or C protest committees, of which fewer than two events meet the distance requirement. | ||||||
| Discretion(3): One virtual hearing allowed | ||||||