Judge Certification Program

Interested in becoming a NFAA Certified Judge to officiate NFAA tournaments in your area? Do you have aspirations of becoming a NFAA National Judge? Learn more about the NFAA Judge Certification Program!

The Judge Certification Program educates aspiring judges on rules and procedures involved with judging and teaches the fundamentals of NFAA round formats and range set ups. Whether you are interested in officiating events or just want to become more knowledgeable regarding NFAA rules and procedures, all NFAA members ages 18+ are eligible to complete the Certified Judge online course. 

USA Archery Judge Certification is not recognized by the NFAA as rounds, rules, and procedures differ between the two organizations. All USA Archery Judges must still complete the NFAA requirements to become an NFAA Certified or National Judge.

Click to Register Today & Become a NFAA Certified or National Judge!

certified judge

what is a certified judge?

NFAA Certified Judges have met all of the certification requirements and are deemed to be knowledgeable on rules and procedures involved with judging, NFAA round formats, and NFAA range set ups. Certification is valid for 3 years. 

• Certified Judge status is required to officiate NFAA Sectional Championships.
• Certified Judge status is encouraged to officiate NFAA-sanctioned local and state events.

certified judge benefits

• Basic knowledge of NFAA rules, procedures, and range requirements.
• Certified Judge pin or adhesive patch (Judge's choice) included with certification.
• Ability to officiate at NFAA local, state, and sectional events.
• Access to the NFAA Judge online store to purchase various judging supplies and branded gear.

certified judge initial requirements

• 18+ years old
• Active NFAA membership through duration of certification
• Judge certification fee
  • $45 for every 3 year period
• Complete NFAA Certified Judge online course 
• Pass NFAA Certified Judge course exam with 75% score

certified judge renewal requirements

• 18+ years old
• Active NFAA membership through duration of certification
• Judge certification fee
  • $45 for every 3 year period
• Complete two Continuing Education online courses during certification period
• Pass Continuing Education course exams with 75% scores

*Renewals are not available to Certified Judges who experienced a lapse in certification of 12 months or greater. If this certification lapse exists, the Judge must complete the initial certification requirements again. 

national judge

what is a national judge?

NFAA National Judges have met all of the certification requirements and are deemed to be experts on rules and procedures involved with judging, NFAA round formats, and NFAA range set ups. Certification is valid for 3 years. 

National Judge status is required to officiate at all NFAA and NFAA Foundation national events. Exceptions will be made for World Archery Judges at The Vegas Shoot. 

national judge benefits

• Expert knowledge of NFAA rules, procedures, and range requirements.
• National Judge pin or adhesive patch (Judge's choice) included with certification.
• Ability to officiate at NFAA local and state events, NFAA Sectional Championships, and NFAA and NFAA Foundation national events.
• Access to the NFAA Judge online store to purchase various judging supplies and branded gear.

national judge initial requirements

• 18+ years old
• Active NFAA membership through duration of certification
• Judge certification fee
  • $45 for every 3-year period
• Complete NFAA Certified Judge online course 
• Pass NFAA Certified Judge course exam with 75% score
• Shadow a National Judge at one NFAA or NFAA Foundation national event
• Approval by the National Judge's Committee

*The above requirements are in place until the National Judge online course is launched.

national judge renewal requirements

• 18+ years old
• Active NFAA membership through duration of certification
• Judge certification fee
  • $45 for every 3-year period
• Complete two Continuing Education online courses during certification period
• Pass Continuing Education course exams with 75% scores

*Renewals are not available to National Judges who experienced a lapse in certification of 12 months or greater. If this certification lapse exists, the Judge must complete the initial certification requirements again. 

national judge grandfather policy

Any NFAA Judge who officiated in person at a non-virtual NFAA or NFAA Foundation national event from January 2020 through December 2023 is grandfathered as a National Judge through December 2026 upon verification of valid NFAA Membership and his/her completion of the Certified Judge course with a passing score of 75%. The Judge certification fee does not apply to grandfathered National Judges until January 2027. All National Judge renewal requirements apply for subsequent renewals of grandfathered National Judges.