Certifications and Standards

The majority of the following information was taken from the USA Volleyball’s Officials page and modified where needed to Carolina Region policies. Contact the Carolina Region Referee Chair, Stephen Shepherd for additional information.

Information on Becoming a Certified USAV Official

Certification of Volleyball referees for USA Volleyball and RVA sanctioned indoor competition is under the jurisdiction of USA Volleyball, the Officials Division and the Regional Volleyball Associations (RVA’s ). USA Volleyball also has the responsibility to train and identify candidates for certification as international referees by the FIVB. USA Volleyball has established these classifications of referees for indoor volleyball: Junior Olympic, Provisional, Regional, USA Volleyball Junior National, USA Volleyball National, USA Volleyball National (Retired), and Provisional USA International Referee.

Some prerequisite requirements are waived if the referee certification is being obtained under the conditions of the Certification Reciprocity Agreement between USA Volleyball and the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO).

A candidate who is currently certified by the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) may, by reciprocal agreement, become certified without meeting the practical rating requirement provided their ratings are current and were by members of the joint raters list (a Local becomes a Provisional, a State or National becomes a Regional). All other requirements (USA Volleyball membership, clinic attendance, referee and scorekeeper examinations, and pass a background screen required for working junior tournaments) must be met annually.

A candidate who is currently certified by USA Volleyball may, by reciprocal agreement, become certified without meeting the practical rating requirement provided their ratings are current and were by members of the joint raters list (a Provisional becomes a Local, a Region, Junior National or National becomes a State). All other requirements (PAVO and North Carolina Volleyball Officials Board (or other official’s board) membership, clinic attendance, and referee examination) must be met annually.

Junior, Provisional, Regional, Junior National (Retired), National (Retired), and other certifications as developed within the Region (Junior Regional and Adult Team) are certified through their respective RVA under the supervision of the Regional Referee Chair, in cooperation with the Regional Commissioner and according to prescribed criteria.

USAV Junior National and National referees are certified by the National Commissioner for Referee Certification & Evaluation and the National Commission for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation, upon the recommendation of the Evaluation and Development Committee.

In accordance with Article 8, Section B 1 of the Operating Code (USAV), all referees must be registered with USA Volleyball through their local RVA for the current season.

For those interested in UPGRADING your Referee certification, review the information below for the new certification and then download “Information on Upgrading your Referee Certification in the Carolina Region” available at the Officials Forms section.  Referees interested in upgrading to a Provisional 2, Regional 1, or Regional 2 certification must get their application in by December 15 of each season.

Click on the appropriate section header below for additional information about the certification for which you applied. Note: Scroll down to see each certification available and its requirements.

[Junior Referee] [Junior Regional Referee] [Adult Team Referee] [Provisional 1 Referee] [Provisional 2 Referee] [Regional 1 Referee] [Regional 2 Referee] [USA Junior National Referee] [USA Junior National Referee (Retired)] [USA Volleyball National Referee] [USA Volleyball National Referee (Retired)] [Provisional USA International Referee Candidate] [Provisional USA International Referee] [Candidate for International Referee]

Junior Referee:
To become certified or re-certified as a Junior referee you must do the following:

  1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball.
  2. Attend a Carolina Region Official’s clinic (Referee & Scorekeeper portions).
  3. Take and correct to 100 the approved USA Volleyball Form “Junior” written test for referees using the USAV Rule Book or any other reference materials.
  4. Successfully complete the Junior scorekeeper certification requirements.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to officiate as a first and second referee during one of the first three tournaments of the season.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Junior referee:

  • After certification, the Junior referee shall have the opportunity to referee the team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region. Note for Junior Coaches: this certification meets the team requirement that at least one coach on the team must be a certified referee and present during their team’s work assignments. This certification does not entitle the coach to officiate (must get an adult certification).  NOTE:  Depending on needs, the Region’s designated Assigner may use Officials certified as a Junior Referee to work at sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region.

Junior Regional Referee:
To become certified or re-certified as a Junior Regional referee you must do the following:

  1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball.
  2. Attend a Carolina Region Official’s clinic (Referee & Scorekeeper portions).
  3. Take and correct to 100 the approved USA Volleyball Form “Junior” written test for referees using the USAV Rule Book or any other reference materials.
  4. Successfully complete the Junior scorekeeper certification requirements.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to officiate as a first and second referee during a subsequent practical rating (must have TWO ratings as R1 and TWO as R2 from an Adult Regional (2) or above).

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Junior Regional referee:

  1. After certification, the Junior Regional referee shall have the opportunity to referee the team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region.
  2. After certification, the Junior Regional referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
  3. After certification, the Junior Regional referee will be entitled to wear the official Junior Regional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
  4. After certification, the Junior Regional referee who is at least 16 years of age shall have the opportunity to work assignments for volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
  5. Practical ratings as a Junior Regional referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and taking the referee and scorekeeper written tests (corrected to 100) is required to maintain certification each year.

Adult Team Referee:
To become certified or re-certified as an Adult Team referee you must do the following:

  1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
  2. Attend a Carolina Region Official’s clinic (Referee & Scorekeeper portions).
  3. Attain a minimum score of 70 percent on the approved USA Volleyball Form “C” written test for referees or (if scored below 70) correct to 100 using the rulebook or any other reference materials.
  4. Successfully complete the Adult Team, Provisional or Regional scorekeeper certification requirements.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to officiate as a first and second referee during a subsequent practical rating (must have 1 observation as R1 and 1 as R2).

Responsibilities and entitlements of an Adult Team referee:

  1. After certification, the Adult Team referee shall have the opportunity to referee their team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region.
  2. Practical ratings as an Adult Team referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and a passing score (or corrections to 100) on the referee and scorekeeper written tests is required to maintain certification each year.

Provisional 1 Referee:
For NEW Adult (18 or older) Professional Referee Certification. To become certified or re-certified as a Provisional 1 referee you must complete the following annually:

  1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
  2. Pass the USAV mandatory background screen;
  3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
  4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
  5. Pass Form A test or Form C (on line or in-person) with a 70% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive a 70%, you must take Form B test in person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
  6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
  7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass ONE as R1 (first referee) with a 70% or higher by member of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for 2 seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Provisional 1 referee:

  1. After certification, the Provisional 1 referee will be entitled to wear the official Provisional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
  2. After certification, the Provisional 1 referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
  3. A Provisional 1 referee may elect to become a candidate for Provisional 2 Referee upon completion of one season as a Provisional 1 referee. The Provisional 1 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
  4. A Provisional 1 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional referee chair.
  5. Practical ratings as a Provisional 1 referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and a passing score (or corrections to 100) on the referee and scorekeeper written tests is required to maintain certification each year.
  6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

Provisional 2 Referee:
For Adult (18 or older) Professional Referee certification- must have held a current USAV P1 certification for 1 year before applying for P2. To become certified or re-certified as a Provisional 2 referee you must complete the following:

  1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
  2. Pass the USAV mandatory background screen;
  3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
  4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
  5. Pass Form A or Form C test (on line or in-person) with a 75% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive a 75% you must take form B test in-person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
  6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
  7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass TWO as R1 (first referee) with a 75% or higher and ONE as R2 (second referee) with a 75% or higher by member of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for 2 seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Provisional 2 referee:

  1. After certification, the Provisional 2 referee will be entitled to wear the official USAV Provisional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
  2. After certification, the Provisional 2 referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
  3. A Provisional 2 referee may elect to become a candidate for Regional 1 Referee upon completion of one season as a Provisional 2 referee. The Provisional 2 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
  4. A Provisional 2 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional referee chair.
  5. Practical ratings as a Provisional 2 referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and a passing score (or corrections to 100) on the referee and scorekeeper written tests is required to maintain certification each year.
  6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

Regional 1 Referee:
For Adult (18 or older)  Professional Referee certification- must have held a current P2 certification for 1 year before applying for Regional 1. To become certified or re-certified as a Regional referee you must complete the following:

  1. Be a current member in good standing within the Carolina Region – USA Volleyball.
  2. Pass USAV mandatory background screen;
  3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
  4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
  5. Pass Form A test (on line or in-person) with an 80% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive an 80% you must take Form B test in person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
  6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
  7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass TWO as R1 (first referee) with an 80% or higher and TWO as R2 (second referee) with an 80% or higher by at least two members of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for THREE seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Regional 1 referee:

  1. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 1 referee shall accept assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
  2. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 1 referee will be entitled to wear the official USAV Regional patch while officiating at USA Volleyball-sanctioned events and will be authorized to purchase and wear the official approved uniform for USA Volleyball referees.
  3. A Regional 1 referee may elect to become a candidate for Regional 2 referee upon completion of one season as a Regional 1 referee. The Regional 1 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
  4. A Regional 1 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate regional referee chair.
  5. Practical ratings as a Regional 1 referee are valid for a period of three years, however, an annual clinic attendance and a passing score on the written test is required to maintain certification each year.
  6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

Regional 2 Referee:
For Adult (18 or older) Professional Referee certification- must have held a current Regional 1 certification for 1 year before applying for Regional 2. To become certified or re-certified as a Regional 2 referee you must complete the following:

  1. Be a current member in good standing within the Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
  2. Pass USAV mandatory background screen;
  3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
  4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
  5. Pass Form A test (on line or in-person) with an 84% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive an 84% you must take Form B test in person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
  6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
  7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass TWO as R1 (first referee) with an 85% or higher and TWO as R2 (second referee) with an 85% or higher by at least two members of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for THREE seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Regional 2 referee:

  1. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 2 referee shall accept assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
  2. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 2 referee will be entitled to wear the official USAV Regional patch while officiating at USA Volleyball-sanctioned events and will be authorized to purchase and wear the official approved uniform for USA Volleyball referees.
  3. A Regional 2 referee may elect to become a candidate for Junior National referee (www.carolinaregionvb.org/Officials/candcriteria.html) upon completion of two seasons as a Regional 2 referee. The Regional 2 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
  4. A Regional 2 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate regional referee chair.
  5. Practical ratings as a Regional 2 referee are valid for a period of three years, however, an annual clinic attendance and a passing score on the written test is required to maintain certification each year.
  6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

USA Junior National Referee:
To become certified as a USA Volleyball Junior National referee a candidate must:

  1. Be a member in good standing within the Carolina Region/USAV;
  2. Fill out the Region’s National Official Candidate Application by October 1 of the year before you want to be evaluated. Applicants will also need to apply for the Region’s Officials Accelerated Advancement Program (OAAP) by October 1.  Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the OAAP by November 1.  All accepted candidates will go through the OAAP for Advanced Training and Evaluation.  The Region Referee Chair will give final approval to submit the Junior National Application upon successful evaluations during any year of the 3-year OAAP cycle.
  3. 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 (and on USAV’s website here). The appropriate application fee (as set each year by the USAV Official’s Division) must accompany the application, payable to USAV National Referee Commission. Application deadline is April 1.
  4. Attend at least one Regional Official’s clinic annually (Referee & Scorer portions). The clinic shall be approved by the Regional Referee Chair and the Regional Commissioner and shall be conducted either in-person or online.
  5. Demonstrate proficiency as a Scorer by showing evidence of certification as a Regional, Junior National, or National Scorer. Successfully complete the Regional or National Scorer examination annually;
  6. 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).
  7. Have served as a Regional 2 referee for one complete year.
  8. Obtain the approval of the Regional Referee Chair, Region Commissioner, and the Region Board of Directors.

NOTE: A referee who is currently certified by the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials as a PAVO National referee may, by reciprocal agreement, become a candidate, upon recommendation of the PAVO, without meeting requirements 6 or 7 above.

Once accepted by the National Referee Commission, attend the USA Volleyball Junior National Volleyball Championships and successfully complete all requirements at that tournament. These requirements include:

  1. Attendance at the pre-tournament Official’s Clinic and Candidates’ Meeting.
  2. Scorer proficiency will be tested.
  3. Successful completion of the rating sessions.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a USA Volleyball Junior National referee:

  1. After certification by the National Commission for Evaluation and Development, a USA Volleyball Junior National referee will be entitled to wear the official USA Volleyball Junior National referee patch while officiating at USA Volleyball-sanctioned events.
  2. A USA Volleyball Junior National referee is authorized to officiate all USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition within any of the USA Volleyball regions, including junior volleyball competition, and is qualified to officiate at the US Junior National Championships. Exception: Junior National referees may officiate at the US OPEN Championships on an exception basis which is determined by the needs of the tournament and the Officials Division.
  3. Certification as a USA Volleyball Junior National referee is valid for a period of four (4) years. To extend certification, the referee must:
  • a. Officiate at the US Junior National Volleyball Championships at least twice during the four-year certification period.
  • b. Officiate at a USA Volleyball Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournament or the US Junior National Championships once during the remaining two years of the four-year period.
  • c. Submit to re-evaluation by the National Commission for Evaluation and Development at any time while officiating at the US Junior National Championships or a USA Volleyball Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournament.
  • d. Each year, successfully complete Form A or B of the approved USA Volleyball written examinations for referees, obtaining a score of 90, using the closed book method. USAV Junior National Referees must submit a copy of their answer sheet by January 1 to Kathy Ferraraccio, 66A Congamond Road, Southwick MA 01077 (413.569.5411 FAX).
  • e. Register annually with USA Volleyball and the appropriate Region and remain in good standing within.
  • f. Remit annual fees as levied by the Officials Division of USA Volleyball by the date established by that Division. Details about the fee can be obtained at USA Volleyball’s website.
  1. A USA Volleyball Junior National referee may be absent from all National and Zonal competition one year out of each four-year certification period.
  2. A USAV Junior National referee encountering unusual difficulty in attending a qualified USAV National event may request, in writing, a one-year extension of certification. The request must be submitted to the Assistant Vice-President, National Referee Commission. NOTE: Deadline for submitting extension requests is April 1.
  3. A USAV Junior National referee, with a minimum of six (6) years of service, who allows certification to expire may:
  • a. If the referee wishes to recertify within three years immediately following expiration of the rating, the recertification candidate must:
  • 1. Submit an application and a summary of volleyball activities for the prior three (3) years.
  • 2. Send the application and summary to the National Commissioner for Junior National Referee Certification and Evaluation, who authorizes the candidate to attend a USAV Girl’s Junior Olympic Championship for re-evaluation.
  1. If the referee wishes to recertify after the three-year period following expiration of the rating, the recertification candidate must apply to the National Commissioner for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation, who authorizes the candidate to attend a USAV Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournament for re-evaluation in order to qualify for attendance and evaluation at the USAV Girls’ Junior National Championship in the same year.

NOTE: Applications for new Junior National referees and existing referees requesting re-evaluation will be given priority over applications submitted under the provisions for expired certifications.

USA Junior National Referee (Retired):

  1. Any USAV Junior National referee, in good standing, with at least six (6) years of service as a Junior National Referee, may apply to the Assistant Vice President, National Referee Commission, for voluntary retired status.
  2. To retain certification, a USAV Junior National Referee (Retired) must register annually with USAV and the appropriate Region and remain in good standing within. Remaining in good standing within the Region includes, but is not limited to, satisfying all requirements for re-certification as a Regional referee in that Region.
  3. A USAV Junior National Referee (Retired) is authorized to wear the USAV Junior National Referee patch while officiating at USAV sanctioned events.
  4. A USAV Junior National Referee (Retired) is authorized to officiate all USAV-sanctioned regional and inter-regional competition, including junior volleyball competition and Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournaments.
  5. A USAV Junior National Referee (Retired) must submit to re-evaluation at any time by the National Commission for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation.
  6. A USAV Junior National Referee (Retired) may apply for re-certification as a USAV Junior National Referee by following the procedures set-forth under “Responsibilities and Entitlements of a USAV Junior National Referee – No. 6.”

USA Volleyball National Referee:
To become a certified USAV National Referee, a candidate must:

  1. Be a member in good standing within the Carolina Region/USAV.
  2. Fill out the Region’s National Official Candidate Application by October 1 of the year before you want to be evaluated. Applicants will also need to apply for the Region’s Officials Accelerated Advancement Program (OAAP) by October 1 ($50 fee for National Rating Applicants).  Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the OAAP by November 1.  All accepted candidates will go through the OAAP for Advanced Training and Evaluation.  The Region Referee Chair will give final approval to submit the National Application upon successful evaluations during the first year of the OAAP.  A National Candidate may continue in the OAAP for year’s two and three with approval of the Referee Chair and if space allows.
  3. Have served as a certified USAV Junior National referee for at least one (1) year.
  4. Attend at least one Regional Official’s clinic annually (Referee & Scorer portions). The clinic shall be approved by the Regional Referee Chair and the Regional Commissioner and shall be conducted either in-person or online.
  5. Demonstrate proficiency as a scorer by showing evidence of certification as a Regional, Junior National, or National scorer. Successfully complete the regional scorer examination annually;
  6. Obtain the recommendation of the Regional Referee Chair, Region Commissioner, and the Region Board of Directors.
  7. Annually attain a score of 90 on the current season’s 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).

NOTE: A referee who is currently a PAVO certified National referee may, by reciprocal agreement, become a candidate, upon recommendation of the PAVO, without meeting requirements 1. and 2. above. However, if the PAVO candidate has attended the US Junior National Volleyball Championships and failed to qualify as a candidate for certification as a USAV National Referee, that individual is required to obtain the approval of the USAV National Referee Commission before the waivers of the reciprocal agreement will be allowed.

The USAV National Commission for Certification & Evaluation, upon evaluation of any PAVO candidate for certification as a USAV National referee, may award:

  1. Certification as a USAV National referee;
  2. Certification as a USAV Junior National referee;
  3. No certification.

Request, in writing (Deadline for submitting this request is February 1), to be evaluated 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 the application fee as set by the Referee Commission and a resume detailing the candidate’s officiating activities for the most recent 12-month period. The tournament requirements include:

  1. Attendance at the pre-tournament Official’s Clinic and Candidates’ Meeting.
  2. Successful completion of the rating sessions. Upon successful completion of these requirements, the candidate will be qualified to officiate at the USAV Open Championships the following year to receive their patch. The qualification has a term of one (1) year.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a USA National referee:

  1. After certification by the National Commission for Certification & Evaluation, a USA National referee will be entitled to wear the official USA National referee patch while officiating at USA Volleyball-sanctioned events.
  2. A USA National referee is authorized to officiate all USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition within any of the USA Volleyball regions, including junior volleyball competition, and is qualified to officiate at the US Open Championships, US Mixed-Six Championships, and the US Junior National Championships.
  3. Each year, successfully complete Form A or B of the approved written examination for referees, obtaining a score of 90. USA National Referees must submit a copy of their answer sheet to the designated USAV rep by the USAV published deadline.
  4. Certification as a USA National referee is valid for a period of three (3) years. To extend certification, the referee must:
  • Officiate at the US Open Volleyball Championships at least once during the three-year certification period.
  • Officiate at a US Open Championships, USA Co-ed Championship, USA Volleyball Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournament or the USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships once during one of the remaining two years of the three-year period.
  • Submit to re-evaluation by the National Commission for Certification & Evaluation at any time while officiating at the USAV Indoor Championship Event or a USA Volleyball Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournament.
  • Register annually with USA Volleyball and the appropriate Region and remain in good standing within.
  • Remit annual fees as levied by the Officials Division of USA Volleyball by the date established by that Division. Details about the fee can be obtained at USA Volleyball’s website.
  1. A USA National referee may be absent from all National and Zonal competition one year out of each three-year certification period.
  2. A USA National referee encountering unusual difficulty in attending a qualified USAV Indoor Championship event may request, in writing, a one-year extension of certification. The request must be submitted to the Assistant Vice-President, National Referee Commission. NOTE: Deadline for submitting extension requests is April 1.
  3. A USA National referee who allows certification to expire may:
  • If the referee wishes to recertify within three years immediately following expiration of the rating, the recertification candidate must submit an application to the National Commissioner for Referee Certification and Evaluation to attend and be re-evaluated at a U.S. Open Championship.
  • If the referee wishes to recertify after the three-year period following expiration of the rating, the recertification candidate must apply to the National Commissioner for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation, who authorizes the candidate to attend a USAV Junior National Championship for re-evaluation in order to qualify for attendance and evaluation at the U.S. Open Championships.

USA National Referee (Retired):

  1. Any USAV National referee, in good standing, with at least five (5) years of service as a National Referee, may apply to the Assistant Vice President, National Referee Commission, for voluntary retired status.
  2. To retain certification, a USA National Referee (Retired) must register annually with USAV and the appropriate Region and remain in good standing within. Remaining in good standing within the Region includes, but is not limited to, satisfying all requirements for re-certification as a Regional referee in that Region.
  3. A USAV National Referee (Retired) is authorized to wear the USA National Referee patch while officiating at USAV sanctioned events.
  4. A USA National Referee (Retired) is authorized to officiate all USAV-sanctioned regional and inter-regional competition, including junior volleyball competition, and is qualified to officiate the USA Volleyball Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournaments.
  5. A USA National Referee (Retired) may also remain qualified to officiate at the US Junior National Championships by officiating at that tournament at least once every three years and submitting to re-evaluation by the National Commission for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation at any time while officiating at the US Junior National Volleyball Championships or a USAV Junior Zonal Qualifying Tournament.
  6. A USA National Referee (Retired) may apply for re-certification as a USAV National Referee by following the procedure listed under “Responsibilities and Entitlements of a USAV National Referee – No. 7.”

Provisional USA International Referee Candidate:
To become a Provisional USA International Referee Candidate, the referee must:

  1. Be a currently certified USA National referee and have held certification for no less than two consecutive years.
  2. Be currently active in regional, US Open and Junior National championship tournaments.
  3. File the official application, containing the approval of the appropriate regional commissioner, with the Assistant Vice President, USA National Referee Commission. These forms are available from the Assistant Vice President, USA National Referee Commission, the Chair of the Evaluation and Development Committee, or the Assistant Vice President of the USA-FIVB International Referee Commission.
  4. Obtain the approval and recommendation of:
  • The Regional Commissioner of the referee’s region;
  • The Evaluation and Development Committee of the USA National Referee Commission;
  • The Assistant Vice President, USA National Referee Commission; and
  • The Assistant Vice President of the USA-FIVB International Referee Commission.
  1. If accepted, be available to:
  • Travel to the National Team center for a clinic and practical experience with the USA National volleyball teams; and
  • Travel on one or more domestic tours with the National teams serving as a second referee for exhibition matches. The candidate will be reimbursed for reasonable receipted expenses incurred in connection with a. or b. above.

Provisional USA International Referee:
This certification is a USA Volleyball certification and not an FIVB certification. To become a provisional USA International referee, the referee must:

  1. Fulfill requirement Nos. 1-4 as stated in requirements of being a Provisional USA International Referee Candidate.
  2. Have been extended the opportunity to fulfill requirement No. 5 as stated in requirements of being a Provisional USA International Referee Candidate and have successfully completed that requirement.
  3. If accepted, be available for assignment, as first or second referee as required, to one or more domestic tours and/or exhibition matches involving the USA National teams.

Upon certification as a Provisional USA International referee, the referee will be assigned a priority position for attendance at an approved FIVB international referee clinic in accordance with a system established by the National Referee Commission Evaluation and Development Committee.

Candidate for International Referee:
To become a candidate for International Referee (an FIVB) certification, a referee must:

  1. Meet one of the following requirements:
  • Be a currently certified USA National referee, have held certification for no less than three consecutive years, and have filed the official application with the Assistant Vice President, USA National Referee Commission (these forms are available from the Assistant Vice President, USA National Referee Commission, the chair of the Evaluation and Development Committee or the Assistant Vice President of the USA-FIVB International Referee Commission); or
  • Be certified as a provisional USA International referee and have held certification as a USA National referee for no less than three consecutive years.
  1. Not have attained the age of 40 when attending the approved FIVB international referee clinic.
  2. Be nominated by any of the following and approved by all:
  • The Regional Commissioner of the referee’s Region.
  • The Assistant Vice President of the USA-FIVB International Referee Commission.
  • The Assistant Vice President, USA National Referee Commission Evaluation and Development Committee.
  • The Vice President, USAV Officials Division.
  1. Be currently active in Regional, US Open, and Junior National Championship tournaments.
  2. Attend the approved FIVB international referee clinic and successfully complete the clinic, testing, and rating requirements.

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