STEP 1:
Get training. The WSSJA hosts an annual judge’s training session where interested individuals can complete the first step to becoming a judge – getting trained. Training takes place each year in late summer or early fall in conjunction with the WSSJA annual meeting. Contact Cara Heiner for more information on the training session.

STEP 2:
Complete internships

Requirements:

2 Performance Internships
• During the Internship: You need to actively judge the teams as if you were an actual judge that day. Complete an audio tape and fill out a score sheet for each team that you judge. If there is more than one panel of judges, rotate at least once to the other panel so that you end up judging a variety of teams. You are not required to judge all teams, but are encouraged to judge as many as you are comfortable with, additionally it is suggested that you get as much variety as possible in the categories you judge.

• After the Internship: You are required to send your score sheets, audio tapes and an overall competition recap sheet to the judges trainer within ONE WEEK of each of your performance judging internships. Competition recap sheets should be provided to you by the competition director PRIOR TO YOU LEAVING THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION. If your internship materials are not sent within one week of your internship, your internship WILL NOT be counted and you will be required to complete another internship in its place. Feedback will be provided to you upon completion of the evaluation of your internship materials.

1 Safety/Technical Internship
Active participation as a Safety/Technical intern is required for this portion of your internship(s). The assigned Safety/Technical Judges for the competition will be asked to assess your participation and apply a rating of pass or fail to help the Judges Trainer determine if you need additional work in this area.

After completion of these internships and clearance by the judges trainer, you are ready to start judging competitions during the regular season.