Referees

Candidate

Take the first steps in joining USRowing's RefCorps as a Referee Candidate.

Step 1: Interest Form

To get started, complete the Referee Candidate Interest form below. After submitting a response, USRowing's Referee Associate will reach out to welcome and onboard you into the RefCorps pipeline.

Step 2: USRowing Membership

Next, create a USRowing member profile account using the link below.

Step 3: SafeSport Training

After you have created an account, complete the SafeSport training through your USRowing member portal. For more information, check out the link below.

Step 4: NCSI Background Check

Once you've completed your SafeSport training, the USRowing Referee Associate will order and issue you a background check. This will be sent as a link to your email address and should be completed within 14 days of receiving the link.

Step 5: Candidate Referee Education

The last step in your path to becoming a referee candidate is completing your online training. You will be sent an email from Referee College with a link directly to start working through the online training modules. For resources to help you study, checkout the link below.

Assistant

Graduate from a Referee Candidate to an Assistant on your journey through the RefCorps.

Step 1: Complete Observations

To become an Assistant Referee, reach out and get connected with your Regional Coordinator to schedule time to work with a USRowing official to complete your referee position observations including Marshal, Chief Judge, Start Judge, Starter, Referee, Control Commission/Dock Master.

Step 2: Document

Document your completed observation hours in RefCorps.

Step 3: Assistant Referee Licensing Exam

Contact your Regional Coordinator for approval to take the Assistant Referee Licensing Exam. The exam is open book. You may use the training material provided in the Online Training Program and the USRowing Rules of Rowing. After passing your Assistant Referee Licensing Exam, an unique license number will be distributed to you by the USRowing Referee Associate.

Licensed Referee

Make an impact in the RefCorps as a Full Referee by becoming a chief, chair member, and more!

Step 1: Officiate

To be eligible for the Full Referee exam, you'll be asked to work as a Marshal twice, Starter five times, Judge at the Start 5 times, Referee 10 times, Chief Judge 5 times, and Control Commission twice. Work with other Referees and your Regional Coordinator to learn all the positions, and obtain feedback.

Step 2: Referee Exam

Once you and your Regional Coordinator think you're ready, you can sit for the two part Referee exam. The first part is a written, open-book, take-home exam. Once you've passed that, you'll be able to take the practical portion of the exam, this will cover Starts, Aligning and Judging the Start, Referee, Judging the Finish, Control Commission, Marshaling and Objections.

Step 3: Congratulations!

Once you've passed your Referee exam, you will be a fully licensed Referee for USRowing. Beyond everything that you've learned, you will also be eligible to act as a Deputy Chief or Chief Referee for any regatta in the country.