USAV Certification Process

Regional Certification

  • Attend Adult or Junior Officials Clinic Each Year
  • Take USAV Officials Online Test Yearly
  • Obtain 1 Ratings For Each Officiating Position Every 3 Years
  • Officiate NCR / USAV Matches

Junior National Certification

  • File the official application with the National Commissioner for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation. Forms are available from the Regional referee chair, National Commissioner for Referee Certification & Evaluation, or the National Commissioner for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation. An application fee of $150.00 must accompany the application, payable to USAV National Referee Commission.
  • Attain a score of 90 on Form A or B of the approved USAV written examinations for referees. This test must be taken without the use of the rulebook or other resources (that is, closed-book).
  • Obtain the approval of the Regional referee chair or Regional Commissioner.
  • Attend a USA Volleyball Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournament and successfully complete all requirements at that tournament. These requirements include:
    • Attendance at the pre-tournament Official’s Clinic and Candidates' Meeting. Attendance until the completion of the tournament.
    • Successful completion of the rating sessions.
    • Assignment of all match fees for the first two days of the tournament to the Officials Division of USA Volleyball. Match fees on the third day will be kept by the candidate even if additional ratings occur on that day. Candidates must plan to stay until the end of the tournament.
    • If certification is recommended, completion of the evaluation process by attending and officiating a specified session of that season's USA Girl's Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships. Assignment of match fees associated with further evaluation is required.
  • NOTE: Application Deadline is February 1.

National Certification

  • Have served as a certified USAV Junior National referee for at least one (1) year.
  • Obtain the recommendation of the Regional referee chair or regional commissioner.
  • Demonstrate proficiency as a scorekeeper by showing evidence of certification as a Regional, Junior National, or National scorekeeper, or by successfully completing the written scorekeeper examination if no scorekeeper certification program exists in the candidate's region.
  • Attain a score of 90 on Form A or B of the approved USA Volleyball written examination for referees. This test must be taken without the use of the rulebook or other resources (that is, closed-book).
  • Have refereed at the USA Boys' Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships or the NIRSA Collegiate Sports Club Championships within the last year or had this requirement waived by the National Commissioner for National Referee Evaluation and Training. Waiver of the requirement can occur if the candidate demonstrates a prior record of officiating high level boys' or men's volleyball.
  • Request, in writing, to be trained at the USA Boys' Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships and successfully complete all the requirements of that tournament. The request should be submitted to the National Commissioner for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation and must include a $50 application fee and a resume detailing the candidate's officiating activities for the most recent 12-month period. The tournament requirements include:
    • Attendance at the pre-tournament Official's Clinic and Candidates' Meeting.
    • Successful completion of the training sessions.
    • Assignment of match fees during the training matches (only) to the Officials Division of USA Volleyball.
    • Upon successful completion of these requirements, the candidate will be qualified to be evaluated while officiating at the NIRSA Collegiate Sports Club Championships the following year. The qualification has a term of one (1) year, although the candidate can appeal for an extension from the National Commissioner for National Referee Training and Evaluation.

OR

  • Request, in writing, to be trained at the U.S. Open Championship "A" Club Championships Exceptions are considered for candidates who encounter scheduling conflicts or unusual hardships. The National Commissioners for Referee Certification & Evaluation and for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation will review all requests for exception. Requests will be granted solely at the discretion of these individuals. All requirements of the tournament (see 5A. above) must still be met.
  • NOTE: The deadline for submitting a training request is February 1. Candidates will be notified by May 1.
  • Attend the NIRSA Collegiate Sports Club Championships and successfully complete all requirements at that tournament. The requirements include:
    • Attendance at the pre-tournament Official's Clinic and Candidates' Meeting. Attendance for the entire tournament.
    • Successful completion of the rating sessions.
    • Assignment of match fees for the tournament to the Officials Division of USA Volleyball.
    • If certification is recommended, completion of the evaluation process by attending and officiating at that or the following season's USA Volleyball Championships. For 2003, attendance is required at the second session of these championships.

NOTE: Deadline for submitting this request is February 1.