Becoming a NASDA Judge

NASDA is seeking professional, respectful and detail oriented individuals with a working knowledge and experience of NASDA trials, field trials, field work, detection work or similar experience.  Steps to becoming a NASDA judge are:

  • Submit a New Judge Application (see below)
  • Attend an in person NASDA approved Judging Workshop and / or successfully complete NASDA online Judge Education Program

Phase I:  Shadow Judging

Apprentice judges shadow an approved NASDA judge, participating in hide / trail setting, discussion of scoring, search area selections, etc.  Apprentice judge must log the number of runs in each class within each trial and have the primary judge sign off on the record.  Logs may be submitted as completed.

  • 30 Runs each level:  Urban Locating, Trailing & Locating, Lost Item Recovery
  • 15 Runs each level:  Shed Dog, Trailing Brace

Phase II:  Supervised Judging

The apprentice judge sets hides / trails, selects search areas and judges / scores runs under the supervision of an approved judge.  Apprentice judge must log the number of runs in each class within each trial and have the primary judge sign off on the record.  Logs may be submitted as completed.

  • 30 Runs each level:  Urban Locating, Trailing & Locating, Lost Item Recovery
  • 15 Runs each level:  Shed Dog, Trailing Brace

Phase III:  Review

NASDA reviews documentation including but not limited to judging logs, comments from clubs / exhibitors / judges, application, etc.  The applicant will be notified by email whether their application for this class / level has been approved, declined or requires additional training.  Note:  A judge may be approved to judge a specific class / level while still continuing Phase I and Phase II in other classes / levels.  For example, a judge may be approved to judge all levels of Urban Locating, Level I of Shed Dog and Level I / Level II of Trailing & Locating.

Geographical Limitations

In areas where judges are not readily available due to geographic location, NASDA reserves the right to promote or designate specific individuals to judge.  These individuals are required to complete Judges Education and complete Phase II under a supervising judge within 3 months of judging their first event.

To begin, click here to apply to become a judge.