Referees and Officiating

Referees are an essential part of tournament play and enjoy giving their time and energy to this great sport! With the growth of pickleball, referees are in high demand. Watch our video to learn more about becoming a USA Pickleball Referee.

All the necessary resources and steps you will need to become a USA Pickleball official are provided below.

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NOTE: Any item with an asterisk ( * ) requires a USA Pickleball membership for access.

Resources | Referees | Online Tests

Referee Notices

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Person Issuing the Notice	Thomas Tadler
Notice Issue Date	11/25/2024
Notice Information	Basic Referee Training Zoom class. December 9 thru 11th, 2024. Open to all. Pre-registration required. To Sign Up: Email your request to attend to marydarcybittner67@gmail.com, providing: 1) Your Name 2) Your City & State (primary residence) 3) A copy of your USAP member card, if you are a member.
Document for Download	Course-Announcment-December-2024.pdf

Registered Trainers

Certified Referees

Find a Referee

Verified Trainee

As a Verified Trainee, you are just beginning and are not familiar with how to referee, but you have the desire to learn! Your first assignment will be to complete the steps below:

If you have not already done so, become a USA Pickleball member at the Champion Level. https://usapickleball.org/membership/
Fill out the application for the VT program. https://forms.gle/1cZUMF2nrkpmrVG19
Keep checking your login at USAP’s home page to see when you are approved as a VT. This can take a few days.
Once approved as a VT, download and become familiar with the Official Rulebookand Officiating Handbook.*
Take the online Player Test. It’s challenging and fun!
Sign up for a referee training class. Use the Referee Search toolto find a nearby Registered Referee Trainer or contact the Referee Training Coordinator in your region for help.

After attending a few referee training classes, you may be authorized by a Tournament Director to observe officiated matches until you demonstrate a minimum proficiency to referee on your own. However, your next goal as a referee should be to become a “credentialed” referee

Level 1 Referee

Level 1 Referee

A Level 1 Referee has the preferred minimum basic skills required to officiate matches at some tournaments. Your requirements are:

Continue to study the Official Rulebookand the Officiating Handbook*.
Print out some sample scoresheets. You will also need a clipboard, numbered clip, and stopwatch.
Practice your refereeing and line judge skills with friends and at non-sanctioned events.
Take the Referee Test, Line Judge Test, Handbook Officiating Procedures and Best Practices Test, and Player Test.
Obtain and complete the visual acuity documentation before you schedule your Level 1 TRR assessment..
Contact your trainer or a TRR approved assessor to arrange an assessment of your refereeing skills. Make sure you have all your test scores and visual form ready,
Meet the Level 1 requirements on the Tiered Referee Rating (TRR) form.
Example TRR form for Level 1

This first credential indicates your solid commitment to refereeing and USAP supporting tournaments. Your skills and confidence will improve as you referee more matches and continue training. Welcome to the USAP Officiating “family”!

Level 2 Referee

The training to obtain a Level 2 credential is more demanding. This is an accomplished referee with all the skills and confidence necessary to officiate medal matches at sanctioned tournaments. A Level 2 Referee has proficient knowledge of the Rulebook and knows how to handle most on-court situations which typically arise. Your requirements are:

Continue to study the Official Rulebookand demonstrate the Best Practices described in the Officiating Handbook*.
The Referee Casebook* will also be a valuable tool for you.
Keep taking all the On-Line tests.
Continue working with a trainer and referee as many matches as you can.
If you are an L1 trying for a L2 contact your trainer for a TRR Assessor to arrange an assessment of your skills.
Make sure your test scores and a current Visual form are ready.
Meet the Level 2 requirements on the Tiered Referee Rating (TRR) form.
Start studying for your next big step which is the Advanced Training Session or ATS.

Pursuing and achieving a Level 2 credential is a major accomplishment and indicates a high level of commitment. As a Level 2 referee, your skills will be greatly valued, and you can officiate at both non-sanctioned and sanctioned tournaments. This is a big step in USAP Officiating and you will find yourself in high demand. Congratulations.

Certified Referee

This is the highest credentialed level. Certified Referees officiate all levels of play at all tournaments, including matches for professional players. To wear the “CR Credentials” you must:

Gain more experience by refereeing tournament matches.
Contact your Certified Referee Coordinator(CRC) to arrange a mentor who will help you prepare for certification.
Successfully completed an Advanced Training Session(ATS).
Complete an interview with your CRC.
Ace all the online tests including Referee Test(100%) and Line Judge Test (100%). For your ATS you need all 100%.
Submit an application for Referee Certification* and provide current visual acuity documentation.
After your application is accepted, pay an evaluation fee.
Get scheduled for an evaluation of your refereeing skills and rules knowledge at a sanctioned tournament by a USAP Certified Evaluator.

USA Pickleball and all Certified Referees understand the arduous process it takes to reach this level. Certified Referees are held to the highest officiating standards and take great pride in their achievement. Attaining this status is tough, but our love of the sport and “giving back” makes the challenge worthwhile and fun. Camaraderie and a shared common experience add to the enjoyment as we travel to tournaments, greeting our referee friends, old and new. You are a skilled professional. On the same level as other officials you see on television for other sports. We hope you join us!

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