1. Shadow Apprentice Judge

Learn the job.

Shadow Apprentice Judges are at the beginning of their practical judge education.

At this stage, the apprentice works alongside an experienced Judge of Record and learns how judging actually functions in a trial environment.

This includes much more than simply watching dogs run.

Shadow Apprentices should be learning to:

• Evaluate course design.
• Participate in course setting.
• Observe dog and handler behavior.
• Recognize indications.
• Identify potential deductions.
• Understand timing and scoring.
• Consider how rules apply to situations as they occur.
• Observe how an experienced judge manages the search area.
• Discuss calls and decisions professionally with the Judge of Record.

Shadow Apprentices are encouraged to practice timing and scoring in tandem with the Judge of Record so that the results can be compared and discussed.

However, the Shadow Apprentice is not the official judge.

The Judge of Record remains responsible for the official timing, scoring, calls, deductions, and decisions.

Shadow Apprentice Judges are not eligible to serve as backup judges.

Think of Shadow as:

Observe → Participate → Practice → Discuss → Learn

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2. Supervised Apprentice Judge

Start doing the job.

After completing Shadow Apprentice requirements and receiving approval from NASDA, a judge may advance to Supervised Apprentice status.

This is an important transition.

During Shadow judging:

The Judge of Record judges while the apprentice learns.

During Supervised judging:

The apprentice judges while the Judge of Record supervises.

A Supervised Apprentice Judge should take responsibility for the practical work of judging.

This includes:

• Setting or substantially participating in setting the course.
• Managing the search.
• Timing runs.
• Scoring runs.
• Observing dog and handler performance.
• Identifying deductions.
• Applying the rules.
• Making judging decisions.
• Communicating appropriately with exhibitors and trial personnel.

The approved Judge of Record provides direct or indirect supervision and remains available to mentor the apprentice and intervene when necessary.

The purpose of this stage is to allow the apprentice to develop—and demonstrate—the ability to judge with increasing independence.

Think of Supervised as:

Judge → Time → Score → Decide → Receive Feedback

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3. Provisional Judge

Judge independently.

After completing supervised judging assignments, required education, and other applicable criteria, the apprentice may be reviewed by NASDA for advancement to Provisional Judge.

Provisional status represents a major change in responsibility.

A Provisional Judge has been approved to judge independently for the classes and levels for which provisional status has been granted.

They do not need to submit apprentice logs for those classes and levels.

A Provisional Judge may still be:

• Completing requirements for additional classes or levels.
• Developing experience in other areas.
• Completing additional education.
• Working toward full Licensed Judge status.

In some circumstances, a Provisional Judge may also be approved to supervise an apprentice at levels for which they are qualified.

Think of Provisional as:

Judge Independently → Gain Experience → Continue Development

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4. Licensed Judge

Maintain the job.

Licensed status does not mean judge education ends.

It means the focus of education changes.

A Licensed Judge has completed the applicable advancement requirements and has demonstrated the knowledge and practical skills necessary to exercise their approved judging privileges independently.

The responsibility now shifts from earning judging privileges to maintaining competency.

Licensed Judges are responsible for:

• Completing required continuing education.
• Completing assigned judge-education activities or tasks.
• Remaining familiar with the current Master Handbook.
• Keeping current with rule and policy changes.
• Maintaining appropriate judging standards.
• Maintaining professionalism and good standing.

Think of Licensed as:

Judge Independently → Stay Current → Maintain Competency