2002 Policies and Procedures

January 12, 2002
USA Rugby Referee Certificat ion Program
Policies

1.0 Preamble
1.1 The USA RUGBY referee certification program will be formulated by the USARRA training committee for action by local area unions. The certification program includes clinics for referees, evaluators and referee coaches.
1.2 Level 1 and 2 referee certification and level 1, 2 and 3 touch judge clinics will be scheduled and conducted by LAU Certified Referee Trainers (CRT) who are trained and certified by Certified Referee Trainer Instructor s (CRTI).
1.3 Level 3 referee certification clinics and above will be delivered by IRB regional Trainers.
1.4 Level 1 and 2 evaluator certification clinics will be scheduled and conducted by Territorial Evaluator Trainers who are trained and certified by National Evaluator Trainers.
1.5 Level 3 evaluator certification clinics will be scheduled and conducted by National Evaluator Trainers who are trained by current National Evaluator Trainers and certified by the Training Committee and the National Referee Development Officer.
1.6 A training and certification program for referee coaches and Referee Coach Trainers will be developed in the future.
1.7 All materials, examinations, and course content will be centrally developed by the Training Committee and distributed to certified instructors at the appropriate level.
1.8 Annual currency will be required of all active referees, referee trainers, evaluators, evaluator trainers, referee coaches and referee coach trainers as developed and defined by the Training Committee. The chairman of each LAU referee organization will be responsible for implementing the annual currency requirements under the supervision of the National Referee Development Officer (See Procedures, section 7.0).
2.0 General
2.1 Referees, touch judges, evaluators and referee coaches will be required to attend certification clinics in numerical order and must complete all the requirements of the previous clinic before attending the next clinic.
2.2 Level 1 certification courses.
2.2.1 Level 1 referee certification is intended for the beginning referee, is required for all referees who referee any US match that potentially leads to a national championship, and is one of the prerequisites to earn the C3 rating.
2.2.2 Level 1 evaluator certification is intended for evaluators of C-panel referees and is necessary to satisfy one of the requirements for becoming a LAU Evaluator.
2.2.3 Level 1-3 touch judge certification is required of all referees and is a prerequisite for a C3 or higher referee grade. L1 touch judge certification is offered and intended for club touch judge training.
2.2.3.1 Prerequisites for L1 touch judge certification is CIPP; no currency requirement for L1 touch judges.
2.2.3.2 Prerequisite for L2 and L3 touch judge certification [not course attendance] is Level 1 referee certification and currency. If a person becomes L1 referee certified within two years after taking the TJ course , he may become TJ certified without taking the course again.
2.2.3.3 Level 2 and level 3 Touch Judge currency is maintained through referee currency.
2.3 Level 2 certification courses.
2.3.1 Level 2 referee certification is intended for the C2 wishing to be come C1 or higher and is necessary to satisfy one of the requirements to earn the C1 rating.
2.3.2 Level 2 evaluator certification is intended for evaluators of B-panel referees and is necessary to satisfy one of the requirements for becoming a Territorial Evaluator.
2.4 Level 3 certification courses.
2.4.1 Level 3 referee certification is intended for the B level referee and will be necessary to satisfy one of the requirements to earn a rating of B1 or above.
2.4.2 Level 3 evaluator certification is intended for international evaluations and will be necessary to satisfy one of the requirements consideration of nomination to the IRB as an candidate to be an international evaluator
2.5 Certification courses for referee coaching will be developed in the future.
3.0 Certification Process for Referees
3.1 A referee will be certified when the candidate completes all the following
3.1.1 takes the course
3.1.2 passes the examination
3.1.3 is registered in USA Rugby's CIPP program
3.1.4 is registered with USA Rugby's Referee & Laws Committee
3.2 Referees taking the Level 1 examination have 90 days after completing the course to submit the examination to the National Office.
3.2.1 Failure to submit the examination within 90 days the completion date of the clinic will require a retake of Level 1 clinic.
3.2.2 Referees who fail the Level 1 exam must complete answers missed within 60 days of receipt of the failed examination notice. Missing this time window will result in the student being required to retake the course.
3.3 Referees who fail Level 2 or above examinations will be required to take a make-up examination by the course instructor on completion of the course. The examination must be completed and submitted to the instructor within 60 days of taking the re-test. The Level 2 instructor will grade the make-up exam and if passed, forward the results to the National Office
3.3.1 Failure to submit the examination within 60 days of the re-test will require the course be retaken.
3.4 Referees who fail Level 2 or above re-examinations will be provided a second make-up examination by their instructor . The examination will be completed and submitted to the instructor within 30 days of taking the re-test. The instructor will grade the make-up examination and if passed, forward the results to the National Office.
3.4.1 Failure to pass the second re-examination will require the course be retaken.

4.0 Certification Process for Evaluators
4.1 An evaluator will be certified when the candidate completes all of the following
4.1.1 takes the course
4.1.2 submits the designated number of acceptable reports.
4.1.3 is registered in USA Rugby's CIPP program
4.1.4 is registered with USA Rugby's Referee & Laws Committee
4.2 The Level 1 evaluator candidate must submit evaluation reports to a Certified Territorial Evaluator Trainer for grading. Within six months of the course the Level 1 evaluator candidate must have submitted 2 reports, which have been approved by a Certified Territorial Evaluator Trainer. Failure to submit the requisite number of acceptable reports will require a retake of the Level 1 course.
4.3 The Level 2 evaluator candidate must submit evaluation reports to a Certified Territorial Evaluator Trainer for grading. Within nine months of the course the Level 2 evaluator candidate must have submitted 3 reports, which have been approved by a Certified Territorial Evaluator Trainer. Failure to submit the requisite number of acceptable reports will require a retake of the Level 2 course.
4.4 The Level 3 evaluator candidate must submit evaluation reports to the National Referee Developmental Officer for grading. Within twelve months of the course the Level 3 evaluator candidate must have submitted 3 reports, which have been approved by the National Referee Development Officer. Failure to submit the requisite number of acceptable reports will require a retake of the Level 3 course.
5.0 Certification Process for Referee Coaches
5.1 Certification requirements for referee coaches will be developed in the future.
6.0 Certification Process for Referee Trainers
6.1 Requirements to become an LAU Level 1 Certified Referee Trainer are all the following
6.1.1 be registered in USA Rugby's CIPP program
6.1.2 be registered with USA Rugby's Referee & Laws Committee
6.1.3 be a knowledgeable and locally respected referee or retired referee
6.1.4 have earned a grade of at least C1
6.1.5 demonstrate a willingness to teach
6.1.6 have good communication skills (teaching background a plus)
6.1.7 have good administrative skills
6.1.8 have successfully completed a Level 1 referee certification course
6.1.9 have attended one other Level 1 referee certification course as a trainee observer
6.1.10 have successfully conducted a Level 1 referee certification course with a Certified Referee Trainer Instructor present.
6.2 If all the requirements of section 6.1 are met the CRTI who judged the performance of the candidate conducting a Level 1 course will certify the candidate as a Level 1 CRT by submitting an evaluation report in writing to the RDO and the referee training committee chairman.
6.2.1 If a Territorial CRTI believes a level 1 CRT candidate within the territory is qualified, but they do not satisfy all the above criteria, the Territorial CRTI may submit the evaluation report. If the training committee chairman concurs, the candidate will obtain the L1 CRT rating.
6.3 It is recommended each LAU have at least one CRT at all times.
6.4 Requirements to become an LAU Level 2 Certified Referee Trainer are to
6.4.1 be a current LAU Level 1 CRT
6.4.2 have successfully completed a Level 2 referee certification course
6.4.3 have attended one other Level 2 referee certification course as a trainee observer
6.4.4 have successfully conducted a Level 2 referee certification course with a Certified Referee Trainer Instructor present
6.5 If all the requirements of section 6.4 are met the CRTI who judged the performance of the candidate conducting a Level 2 course will certify the candidate as a Level 2 CRT by submitting an evaluation report in writing to the RDO and the referee training committee chairman.
6.6 Requirements to become a Certified Referee Training Instructor are to
6.6.1 be a current LAU Level 2 CRT
6.6.2 be a knowledgeable and territorially respected referee or retired referee
6.6.3 have conducted or taught a minimum of 3 courses.
6.6.4 be nominated by the Territorial Representative to the Training Committee.
6.6.5 be approved by both
- the Training Committee and
- the National Referee Development Officer
6.7 Each Territory may have a maximum of four Certified Referee Trainer Instructor slots.
7.0 Certification Process for Evaluator Trainers
7.1 Requirements to become a Level 1 Evaluator Trainer are to
7.1.1 be registered in USA Rugby's CIPP program
7.1.2 be registered with USA Rugby's Referee & Laws Committee
7.1.3 be knowledgeable and respected by referees and evaluators within the Territory
7.1.4 demonstrate a willingness to teach
7.1.5 have good communication skills
7.1.6 have good administrative skills
7.1.7 have successfully completed L1 and L2 referee certification courses
7.1.8 have successfully completed a Level 1 evaluator certification course
7.1.9 have attended one other Level 1 evaluator certification course as a trainee observer
7.1.10 have successfully conducted a Level 1 evaluator certification course with a Territorial Evaluator Trainer present
7.2 If all the requirements of section 7.1 are met the Territorial Evaluator Trainer will certify the candidate as a Level 1 Evaluator Trainer by notifying in writing to the Chairman of the Training Committee.
7.3 Requirements to become a Level 2 Evaluator Trainer are to
7.3.1 be a current Level 1 Evaluator Trainer
7.3.2 have successfully completed a Level 2 evaluator certification course
7.3.3 have attended one other Level 2 evaluator certification course as a trainee observer
7.3.4 have successfully conducted a Level 2 evaluator certification course with a Territorial Evaluator Trainer present
7.4 If all the requirements of section 7.3 are met the Territorial Evaluator Trainer will certify the candidate as a Level 2 Evaluator Trainer by notifying in writing to the Chairman of the Training Committee.
.
7.5 Requirements to become a Territorial Evaluator Trainer are to
7.5.1 be a current Level 2 Evaluator Trainer
7.5.2 be knowledgeable and respected nationally by referees and evaluators
7.6 If all the requirements of section 7.5 are met the candidate will become certified through the following process:
7.6.1 be nominated by the Territorial Representative
7.6.2 be approved by both
- the Training Committee and
- the National Referee Development Officer
7.7 Training of Level 3 assessors will be conducted by the International Rugby Board or the National RDO.
8.0 Certification Process for Trainers of Referee Coaches
8.1 Requirements for becoming Trainers of Referee Coaches will be developed in the future.
9.0 ;De-certification and Re-certification
9.1 It is expected that every referee, evaluator and referee coach maintain certification by
9.1.1 Maintaining current registration in USA Rugby's CIPP program
9.1.2 Maintaining current registration with USA Rugby's Referee & Laws Committee
9.1.3 Completing the annual currency requirement. The Chairmen of the LAU referee organizations are responsible for providing adequate opportunities for members to obtain currency requirements, as developed and defined by the Training Committee (see appendix). Individuals are responsible for tracking their currency activities and submitting them upon request as validation of currency for referee appointments.
9.2 Failure to comply with any of the requirements of section 9.1 will result in de-certification.
9.3 De-certified referees who wish to return to certified status must contact the referee trainer at the appropriate level to arrange for re-certification.
9.3.1 Level 1 and 2 referees must comply with the requirements set forth by a LAU Certified Referee Trainer who will re-certify the referee upon completion of the requirements.
9.3.2 Level 3 referees must comply with the requirements set forth by a National Certified Referee Trainer who will re-certify the referee upon completion of the requirements.
9.4 De-certified evaluators who wish to return to certified status must contact the evaluator trainer at the appropriate level to arrange for re-certification.
9.4.1 Level 1 and 2 evaluators must comply with the requirements set for th by a Territorial Certified Evaluator Trainer who will re-certify the evaluator upon completion of the requirements.
9.4.2 Level 3 evaluators must comply with the requirements set forth by a National Certified Evaluator Trainer who will re-certify the evaluator upon completion of the requirements.
9.5 The process for re-certification of de-certified referee coaches will be developed in the future.
9.6 Every certified trainer must comply with the requirements of section 9.1 and any other requirements set forth by the Territorial Representative to the Training Committee, the Training Committee, and the National Referee Development Officer. Failure to comply will result in de-certification.
9.7 De-certified trainers who wish to return to certified status must contact their Territorial Training Committee representative to arrange for re-certification. Their re-certification must be approved following the same procedures that were involved in the initial certification.
9.7.1 Certified LAU Referee Trainers must comply with the requirements set forth by a Certified Referee Trainer Instructor who will re-certify the trainer upon completion of the requirements.
9.7.2 Certified Referee Trainer Instructors must comply with the requirements set forth by the Training Committee and the National Referee Development Officer
9.7.3 Certified National Referee Trainers must comply with the requirements set forth by the Training Committee and the National Referee Development Officer
9.7.4 Certified Territorial Evaluator Trainers must comply with the requirements set forth by a Certified National Evaluator Trainer
9.7.5 Certified National Evaluator Trainers must comply with the requirements set forth by the Training Committee and the National Referee Development Officer
9.7.6 The process for re-certification of de-certified Referee Coach Trainers will be developed in the future.
10.0 Reciprocity [Excluding valid exchanges]
10.1 Referees, evaluators and referee coaches who have completed and passed IRB training courses will be considered as US trained at that level.
10.2 Non-US referees, evaluators and referee coaches who are not considered trained, but who
10.2.1 live briefly in the US may perform certified activities at the level consistent with their home union grading.
10.2.2 will be in the US for more than six months participation in the certification program is required within 6 months of arrival in the U.S.
11.0 Referee Grades
11.1 The training process does not in and of itself lead to a referee grade. Match ratings are assigned by evaluators for the day and are earned on the pitch. The final judgment for the referee grade lies with the evaluation committee responsible for awarding the grade.
11.2 Referee grades are predicated upon a common knowledge base. To this end, successful completion of the academic work will be required for various levels as follows:
11.2.1 Level 1 referee certification and levels 1-3 touch judge courses are required, but not sufficient to earn a C3 grade
11.2.2 Level 2 referee certification is required, but not sufficient to earn a C1 grade
11.2.3 Level 3 referee certification is required, but not sufficient to earn a B1 grade
12.0 Evaluator Grades
12.1 The training process does not in and of itself lead to an evaluator grade. The final judgment for these grades lies with the evaluation committee responsible for awarding the grade.
12.2 Evaluator grades are predicated upon a common knowledge base. To this end, successful completion of the academic work will be required for various levels as follows:
12.2.1 Level 1 evaluator certification is required, but not sufficient to earn a LAU Evaluator grade.
12.2.2 Level 2 evaluator certification is required, but not sufficient to earn a Territorial Evaluator grade.
13.0 Referee Coaching Grades
13.1 The criteria for achieving referee coaching grades will be developed in the future.
14.0 Finance
14.1 Travel reimbursement for trainers will be the responsibility of the host organizations. In most instances, the LAU that requests and organizes the course will cover funding.

USA Rugby Referee Certification Program
Procedures

1.0 Compliance of Certified Trainers
1.1 The Chairman of the Training Committee will provide the National Office with a list of certified trainers along with all personal data available.
1.1.1 The National Office will maintain a data base of all certified trainers in the USA Rugby database.
1.1.2 The National Office will confirm each trainer is registered in the CIPP and with the Referee & Laws Committee
1.1.2.1 If the trainer is not registered in CIPP and the Referee & Laws Committee, the National Office will notify the trainer and the Chairman of the Training Committee.
1.1.2.2 The trainer will have 60 days from the date of notification to become registered in the CIPP and with the Referee & Laws Committee. Failure to do so will mean loss of certified trainer status.
1.2 To become reinstated as a certified trainer, the de-certified trainer must satisfy the requirements provided in section 9.7 of the Certification Program Policies.
2.0 Clinic Administration (materials, documentation, fees)
2.1 Two weeks prior to the clinic, the trainer should ensure enough materials are available to accommodate the expected class attendance.
2.1.1 If materials are needed, the trainer will contact the National Office at least two weeks prior to the clinic to order the correct amount.
2.1.2 Materials will only be sent on the order of a trainer who is certified to teach the clinic.
2.2 Prior to starting the instruction, every participant must complete all registration forms and pay the course fee.
2.2.1 Although not required for course attendance, collection of USA R&L and CIPP dues may be completed at this time. However, this is a responsibility of the chairman of the LAU referee organization, or other organization hosting the clinic. If collecting these dues on site is deemed appropriate, the assistance of an individual for this purpose is recommended.
2.2.2 Certification fees, along with the names of individuals in attendance, should be forwarded immediately after the clinic to the R&L Treasurer for proper accounting. If CIPP fees were collected at the time, CIPP forms and fees should also be sent to the R&L treasurer along with the class list and individual registration forms.
2.2.3 Certificates will only be issued to individuals who have passed the course requirements and are registered in the CIPP and with the Referees & Laws Committee. The responsibility for registration and paying any fees (CIPP, R&L, or otherwise) remains with the individual or the local society.
3.0 Management of Training Documents
3.1 Responsibility of the National Office
3.1.1 Based on input from course instructors (referee and evaluator certification) and National Evaluator Trainers (certification of evaluator reports) the National Office will be responsible for logging the following into the USA Rugby referee database:
3.1.1.1 Training course attended
3.1.1.2 Test results
3.1.1.3 Approved evaluation reports
3.1.2 Attendees of any certification course will not be deemed certified until the student passes all course requirements and all requisite documentation is provided to the National Office.
3.1.2.1 The National Office will issue the appropriate certificate to the individual who has successfully complied with all the requirements.
3.1.2.2 The National Office will provide quarterly reports to the chairman of each LAU referee organization that reflects the LAU's members training status.
3.2 Participants who have not yet registered in USA Rugby's CIPP or the Referee & Laws Committee in the current year
3.2.1 When the National Office receives a test for grading (or test result) from a course participant, the National Office will confirm that the candidate for certification is registered for the current year in the CIPP, and with the Referees & Laws Committee. If the candidate is not compliant, the test will not be graded. A letter along with a CIPP membership form will be sent to the participant informing him that registration in the CIPP and with the Referees & Laws Committee is required before the test will be graded and a certificate issued.
3.2.2 When the National Office receives an approved evaluation report from an Evaluator Trainer, the National Office will confirm that the candidate for certification is registered in the CIPP for the current year. If the candidate is not compliant, a letter along with a CIPP membership form will be sent to the candidate to be completed before accepting the report as approved and a certificate issued.
3.2.3 At the National Office, the Administrative Assistant will keep a special file on people who have submitted documentation and check it against the database to verify CIPP and R&L Committee membership. Once both memberships are confirmed, the documentation will then be processed in the usual way.
3.2.4 The names of participants in certification clinics who have not registered in the CIPP and with the R&L Committee within two months of notification by the National Office will be sent to the chairman of the appropriate LAU referee organization for follow-up.
3.2.5 Should the participant fail to become compliant with CIPP and R&L Committee membership requirements within two months of being notified by the National office the participant will not be certified. In order to become certified the participant must conform to the requirements for certification as detailed in the Policies Section 3.0. Any requirement that has not been satisfied within the specified time frame for the original course as stated in the Policies Section 3.0 must be completed again.

3.3 Responsibilities of Instructors
3.3.1 After a course is completed, the instructor will send an email or fax to the National Office with the date and location of the clinic, an alphabetized list of attendees and their contact information. , their referee/evaluator/referee-coach grade, their payment status
3.3.2 All forms, a class list and list of payments received will be forwarded to the Referees & Laws Committee treasurer who will make an appropriate accounting and forward to the National Office the registration forms, and class list.
3.3.3 Class lists will also be forwarded to the Training Committee Chairman.
3.3.4 It is intended that the Level 1 examination be a take home, open book test that can be completed by each individual without collaboration. It must be completed independently of the certification training session.
3.4 Responsibility of Evaluators
3.4.1 Evaluator clinic attendees must submit their match reports to the designated Evaluator Trainer for grading.
3.4.1.1 Upon receipt of the requisite number of approved reports the Territorial Evaluator Trainer will notify the National Office to issue a certificate.
3.4.1.2 The Territorial Evaluator Trainer will provide written comments on each report and will return the comments to the trainee.
3.4.2

4.0 Referee Testing Requirements
4.1 Level 1 - The student must pass all the safety questions at the 100% level and achieve a 95% level for the questions overall to satisfactorily complete the open book test. Failure to do so will require the student complete the returned examination within the time frame specified in the Policies document, section 3.2..
4.2 Level 2 - The student must pass at the 80% level. Failure to do so will result in a re-testing process, which is discussed in sections 3.3 and 3.4 of the Certification Program Policies.
5.0 Evaluator Documentation Requirements
5.1 The candidate must submit the required number of reports to the designated individual in the time frame specified in the Policies document, section 4.0. Failure to submit and have approved the required number of acceptable reports will require the course be retaken.
6.0 Coaching Documentation Requirements
7.0 Finance
7.1 Course Fees payable to the USA R&L Committee
7.1.1 The fee for Level 1 referee and Level 1 evaluator courses will be $75.
7.1.2 The fee for Level 2 referee and Level 2 evaluator courses will be $100.
7.1.3 The fee for Level 3 referee and Level 3 evaluator courses will be $125.
7.1.4 The fee for the Level 1 touch judge training course will be $20.
7.1.5 The fee for Level 2 and 3 touch judge training courses will be $30.
7.1.6 The fee for referee coaching courses will be defined in the future.
7.1.7 Auditing courses is permitted provided the student pays the applicable course fee. The student must indicate he is not taking the course for credit and will not be submitting an examination.
7.1.8 Course materials may be purchased without taking the course for a price that is 90% of the course fee.
8.0 Currency Requirements
8.1 Continuing education is required to maintain certification ("Currency"). This currency requirement ensures that individuals stay up to date with playing trends, interpretations and Law changes. All certified referees, instructors, evaluators and referee coaches must fulfill the currency requirements. There are a variety of currency opportunities for individuals to retain their certification. Failure to maintain currency will result in a loss of certification.
8.2 . Requirements
8.2.1 Six credits must be earned in each calendar year.
8.2.2
Additionally, certified instructors must teach at least one class every two years.
8.2.3 There are four activities that will fulfill the currency requirement by themselves
8.2.3.1 The National Conference on the game (#11 in table)
8.2.3.2 An International Conference on the game (activity # 19)
8.2.3.3 An IRB referee training course (activity #17)
8.2.3.4 The USARRA required currency activity (activity #16)
8.2.4 Credits earned in any year may only be applied to that year's requirements
8.2.4.1 Exception: Credits earned at the National Referee Conference on the Game or an International Conference on the Game may be applied to the current year and the balance carried over to the subsequent year.
8.2.4.2 If you qualify, you may also earn credits if you evaluate/coach a referee.
8.2.4.2.1 You must be certified as a Level 1 or Level 2 USA Evaluator.
8.2.4.2.2 Reports must be written and approved by the certified trainer and/or the Referee Development Officer. Reports submitted (which follows proper protocol) will earn 2 credits towards currency of accreditation
8.2.5 Diversity Requirement
8.2.5.1 Credits
must be earned by having activities in more than one category
8.2.5 Responsibilities
8.2.5.1 The individual is responsible for maintaining his currency. It is recommended he record his participation in approved events in the Logbook section of the law book.
8.2.5.2 The society chairmen are responsible for providing currency opportunities to their referees
8.2.5.3The society chairmen should also insure only certified and current referees are assigned to official matches.
8.3Table

Currency Activities & Credits Awarded
1	Reading The Referee Corner or Laws Matter Articles in Rugby [1 point/article]; Reading the Guidelines on Application of the Law [2 points]1 or 2
Local Area Referee Society:
2	Attend a meeting 2
3	Prepare & present a training session at a meeting1
4	Publish notes on the meeting 1
5	Attend a clinic 3
6	Prepare & present a training session at a clinic 1
7	Publish notes on the clinic 1
8	Evaluate/Coach a referee 2
Territorial Referee Conference:
9	Attend a conference 3
10	Publish notes on the conference 1
11	Speak at the conference 2
National Referee Conference:
12	Attend a conference 10
13	Publish notes on the conference 1
14	Speak at the conference 3
USARRA Certification Course:
15	Attend & Pass a course 6
16	Teach a course 3
USARRA Currency Course:
17	Satisfy the requirements 6
IRB Referee Course:
18	Attend & Pass a course 6
19	Teach a course 3
IRB Conference on the Game:
20	Attend a conference 10
21	Publish notes on the conference 2
22	Speak at the conference 5

Add a line "Reading Don Morriso n's Referee Article in Rugby Magazine" for 1 point [maximum of 4]

Email Manually edited from CTI Email list: Sat Feb 2 14:12:35 CST 2002