When an apprentice completes the required assignments, NASDA reviews whether the individual is ready for the responsibilities of the next stage.

A supervising judge may determine that an apprentice would benefit from additional experience in a particular area. NASDA may also require additional education, assignments, or review before approving advancement.

This should not be viewed simply as passing or failing.

The question is:

Is this judge ready for the level of independence and responsibility associated with the next stage?

If the answer is not yet, additional experience provides an opportunity to develop those skills before greater judging responsibility is assigned.

That protects the apprentice, exhibitors, host clubs, dogs and quarry, and the integrity of NASDA events.