CARO’s comprehensive judge certification program ensures qualified, knowledgeable officials for rally and working trials. Our structured process includes training, mentorship, and ongoing education requirements.
Certification categories
- NAE – Certified to judge Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Excellent levels
- V/VX – Certified to judge Versatility and Versatility Excellent levels
- Working – Certified to judge all Working levels
The link to the application can be found in your menu options when you are logged into your account.
Application Requirements
All judge candidates must hold a current professional membership.
- NAE judge eligibility: Must have achieved an Excellent title with at least one dog registered to you
- Working judge eligibility: Must hold an Elite title
- V/VX judge eligibility: Must first earn NAE certification, then meet additional requirements
Certification Process
The certification process consists of the following steps, which must be completed within one year of the application date:
- Attend a CARO Approved Judges’ Clinic & Design Clinic
- Shadow Judging
- NAE Exam & Interview
- Course Design
- Final Review by CARO Board
Continuing Education Requirements
- Maintain a professional membership annually
- Attend a minimum of one judges’ clinic every 2 years
- Judge at least one trial every 2 years
General Notes
- Requests for exceptions to the order of the process will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Upon completion of a judge’s clinic, candidates will be added to the judges’ mailing list to receive clinic and judges’ chats invites, and to the CARO Judges FB community page for those on Facebook.