Judges requesting an observation, please send requests to cejdgobs@akc.org.
To qualify as an applicant – you must have:
- Personally owned, trained and titled a dog to an AKC Utility Dog (UD) title and at least one other dog to an AKC Companion Dog (CD) title;
- Been active in the sport a minimum of six (6) consecutive years;
- Acted as a steward in Novice/Open/Utility class (depending upon class applying for) at AKC member or licensed trials a minimum of ten (10) times;
- Have judged at AKC sanctioned obedience matches a minimum of five (5) times. Judging a non-regular class at an AKC trial with a minimum of ten (10) dogs competing, may substitute for one match requirement. Apprentice assignments beyond the 3 required may be used on a one to one basis to replace the match requirement for up to 2 matches.
- Apprentice judged under three (3) judges with a minimum of ten (10) dogs in each class.
To request apprentice judging forms, e-mail tep@akc.org;
- Actively participated as an assistant trainer or as a trainer in a dog training club or similar organization;
- Attended an AKC obedience seminar within the last three (3) years.
To apply as a Provisional Judge:
Forward completed application, questionnaire and Part I (open book test consisting of two questions) to the Companion Events Department, P.O. Box 37930, Raleigh, NC 27627 to begin the approval process.
The application, questionnaire and Part I may be found at http://www.akc.org/pdfs/AJL0B1.pdf
Following the initial screening to determine that the applicant meets all minimum requirements the applicant's name will be published on the Secretary's Page of the first available issue of the GAZETTE as an Obedience Judging Applicant. This provides all interested persons the opportunity to comment on the applicant's judging qualifications.
Provisional Approval:
All applicants are required to pass a written test consisting of multiple-choice questions, followed by a personal interview with one of the Obedience/Rally Field Representatives. The Companion Events Department will schedule a mutually convenient obedience trial where the test and interview may be held with the applicant and representative.
Applications are reviewed at the first available monthly meeting of the Judges Approval Committee for final determination. Following review, applicants will receive written notification of the Committee's action. If approved, the applicant's name will be published on the Secretary's Page of the first available issue of the GAZETTE as a Provisional Obedience Judge and the judge may then accept judging assignments for the class approved.
As a provisional judge, they must judge a minimum of five (5) assignments with at least ten (10) dogs competing in each assignment. In addition, a satisfactory observation judging the provisional assignment must be completed within one year prior to the request for regular status. It is helpful for the provisional judge to inform Companion Events when judging assignments are accepted, for ease in scheduling the observation. (Note: Assignment is defined as judging for one (1) event/trial/show. A provisional and regular status judge may judge several classes at one (1) event/trail/show and will only receive credit for one assignment.)
Regular Approval:
Upon completion of five (5) assignments with at least ten (10) dogs competing in each assignment and a satisfactory observation within one (1) year prior to the request for regular status by an Obedience/Rally Field Rep., the provisional judge should contact Companion Events. The form can be found at http://www.akc.org/pdfs/Regular_Obedience.pdf (Note: Assignment is defined as judging for one (1) event/trial/show. A provisional and regular status judge may judge several classes at one (1) event/trail/show and will only receive credit for one assignment.)
The Companion Events staff will review the request for regular status. In some cases, additional assignments or observations may be requested with approval delayed until the completion of same. In others, however, approval will be granted and the judge's name will be published on the Secretary's Page of the first available issue of the GAZETTE as Provisional Obedience Judging Completed.
To Apply for an Additional Class:
The regular judge must judge an addition five (5) assignments with at least ten (10) dogs competing in each assignment and an additional satisfactory observation within one (1) year prior to the request for next level by an Obedience/Rally Field Rep.. These are in addition to the five (5) judged to obtain provisional status. (Note: Assignment is defined as judging for one (1) event/trial/show. A provisional and regular status judge may judge several classes at one (1) event/trail/show and will only receive credit for one assignment.)
Overview of Procedures:
- Complete requirements for Novice
- Send in applications and Part I test
- Name published as applicant
- 4. Take written test and interview with Field Rep
- Name published as provisional judge
- Judge a minimum of five (5) classes, observed one (1) time by Field Rep
- Request regular status
- Judge a minimum of five (5) classes, observed one (1) time by Field Rep
- Complete requirements for Open
- Follow procedures 2 through 8
- Complete requirements for Utility
- Follow procedures 2 through 7
