Certified Officials

• 2009 AAU Taekwondo Certified Officials Click Here
• 2010 AAU Taekwondo Certified Officials as of 1/1/2010 Click Here

For a list of scheduled Officials' Clinics Click Here

AAU Taekwondo Official's Program Mission Statement

The AAU Taekwondo Officials' Program is dedicated to safe, fair competition, free of politics, held at the District, Regional and National levels.  We will strive for excellence through continuous Officials' training at District, Regional and National levels by identifying our best Officials to work competitions.  We will endeavor to have the best Officials' Program of any Martial Arts Organization in the U.S.

Judges, Referees, Technical Advisors, Arbitrators and Court Officials are required to become (re) certified each competition year (9/1/2009 - 8/31/2010) prior to participation in AAU Sanctioned events.  That Official's certification is valid for additional non-qualifying events until December 31 of the next competition year.  In addition to the required participation in a local clinic, certified Officials expecting to officiate at the National Championships and/or the AAU Junior Olympic Games are required to take ONE of the National clinics, offered at those events, before they will be allowed to work either National event. Since the Nationals are NORMALLY held first, an official must attend the Nationals' clinic in order to work the Nationals and his/her certification will allow him/her to work Nationals and/or AAU Junior Olympic Games. Should an official desire to only work the AAU Junior Olympic Games, they can attend the AAU Junior Olympic Games clinic offered prior to the beginning of that event.  Officials wishing to Coach must take the Coaches Online Certification Course to coach at any AAU Taekwondo event.  For those officials who plan to officiate AND coach at either the Nationals or the AAU Junior Olympic Games, they must meet all the requirements listed here.  In addition, they’ll be required to complete both the officials AND coaches registration forms, and pay the applicable coach's fee.

Who Is Authorized To Conduct Clinics?  Only certified Clinic Administrators can conduct clinics.  Clinic Administrators are appointed by the Officials Program Administrator and the National Chief Referee with the consent of the National Sport Chair.   A complete list of clinic administrators can be found at the top of each page.   All questions regarding clinics and clinic administrators should be directed to the Officials Program Administrator.  For a list of authorized Clinic Administrators Click Here.

When Are Official’s Clinics Allowed To Be Conducted?  Official’s Clinics cannot be held until the current year's rules are completely  finalized.  This is normally accomplished by September 1.  No clinic may be held after June 1 without the special permission from the Officials Program Administrator. For a list of Officials Clinics click the "Official's Clinic Information" tab at the top of this page.

When is the Coach’s Online Certification Available? The AAU Taekwondo Coach’s Online Certification Course will be available September 1.  Additional information on the Coach’s Certification can be found by clicking the 'Coaches' tab.

Clinic Administrator Timelines.  All officials' clinic applications, digital photos on CD and appropriate fees, must be forwarded to the Officials Program Administrator no later than seven days after the clinic.  A complete list of Coaches and Officials that have completed clinic will be posted on this site.

What If Classification Isn’t Kept Current? Officials who fail to maintain their certification and/or fail to remain active in the capacity of an official may not be afforded the same considerations and privileges at national events offered to officials with the same classification who have maintained a current active status.

AAU Individual Membership Fees  

• All contestants, coaches, and officials are required to obtain 2010 AAU Individual Membership prior to participating in any AAU Sanctioned event during the 2010 competition year (9/1/2009 - 8/31/2010).  Click the 'Join Now' tab.

• All officials, coaches and contestants participating in a sanctioned tournament are required to observe the decorum of the AAU and the rules of the tournament.

Officials’ Fees  

The certification fee for Officials is $35.  This fee and participation in an annual clinic will validate the official's classification until the end of the current AAU's competition year.  Officials wishing to also coach during the current competition year must take the Coaches' Online Certification Course prior to attending an Official's Clinic.  By presenting the Coach's Certification Card at the Officials Clinic the Official will not be required to pay the $35 Official’s Clinic fee.

Upgrade Requirements  

Upgrades in classification are not automatic, nor are they a 'right'.  An upgrade is based on satisfactory performance of an official during AAU sanctioned competition at the District, Regional and National level, as determined by the Tournament Chief Referee.  In addition, an official MUST first meet the requirements listed later in this document to be considered eligible for an upgrade. ALL officials upon entering the program will be issued classification based on meeting the age requirements AND minimum rank requirement.  'D' officials who meet rank and age requirements, as outlined, may be upgraded to 'C' classification after working two district or regional qualifiers.  However, to become a 'B' or higher the candidate must have successfully completed the annual local/regional course and have worked a qualifying event, and then requested to be evaluated at the AAU National Championships.  In order to be evaluated an application must be completed (application is included in the National Registration Package), the applicant must attend the national seminar, take a written test and be evaluated while officiating at the AAU Taekwondo Nationals for a minimum of three days for 'Class B', four days for 'Class A', and all five days for 'Class AA'.  This must all take place within the same competition year.

Officials’ Certification Requirements

Class 'E' Official.  Refers to Court Officials (scorekeepers, computer operators, timekeepers, etc.)  at District, Regional and National levels.

Requirements:

• Basic understanding of official rules & procedures.

• Working knowledge of time keeping and score keeping.

• Minimum age of 14.

• Must attend a yearly District/Regional Clinic to be a court Official.  Must complete the Online Certification Course to Coach.

How Certified:  Certification issued by Officials Program Administrator.

Class 'D' Official.  Refers to Judges at District, Regional or National competition.  Can also assume any aforementioned position as authorized.

Requirements:

• Understanding of official rules and procedures.

• Adequate proficiency as a Judge at District or Regional competition.

• Adequate Proficiency in charting.

• Adequate Proficiency in time keeping and score keeping.

• Minimum age of 15.

• Minimum rank of Red/Brown Belt.

• Must attend a yearly District/Regional Clinic to serve as an Official.  Must complete the Online Certification Course to Coach.

How Certified:  Certification issued by Officials Program Administrator.

Class 'C' Official.  Refers to Referees at District or Regional competitions or Judges at National competitions. Can also assume any aforementioned position as authorized.

Requirements:

• Must meet all above requirements for class 'E' through 'D'.

• Adequate knowledge of Referee terms & methods of signaling.

• Adequate proficiency as Referee at District or Regional competition.

• Minimum age of 16

• Minimum rank of 1^st Dan Black Belt.

• Must attend a yearly District/Regional Clinic & workshop          

• Must request to be evaluated for an upgrade at either the local, regional or national level.  Request for upgrade at the local level should be made to a clinic administrator, regional director, or district director who will be available to perform the evaluation at the sanctioned local event.
   

How Certified:  Certification is issued by Official’s Program Administrator upon a recommendation from a Clinic Administrator, District Director or Regional Director.  Recommendation is based on an evaluation of the candidate by the recommender from observing the candidate’s officiating skills at local, regional or national events.

Class ‘B’ Official.  Refers to Referees at the National level.  Can also assume any aforementioned position as authorized.

Requirements:

• Must meet all above requirements for class 'E' through 'C'.

• Must be able to demonstrate adequate proficiency as a judge and referee for forms competition and at least one type of sparring competition .

• 'Class C' Official for a minimum two years.

• Minimum age of 18

• Must attend a yearly District/Regional Clinic & workshop.

• Must request to be evaluated at the AAU National Championships (Application for evaluation in National Packet).

• Must pass written test and practical evaluation at the National Championships.  Candidate will be evaluated on performance as judge and referee for forms and at least one style of sparring competition.  To be eligible for evaluation, candidate must work a minimum of three full days during the event.

How Certified:  Certification issued by Official’s Program Administrator upon successful completion of performance evaluation.

Class 'A' Official.  Refers to Arbitrators and Referees at the District/Regional/National level.  Can also assume any aforementioned position as authorized.
 

Requirements:

• Must meet all requirements for Class 'E' through 'B'.

• Must be able to demonstrate a high degree of proficiency as a judge and referee for forms competition and at least one type of sparring competition and an adequate proficiency in the other type of sparring competition.

• 'Class B' Official for a minimum two years.

• Officiate at two National Championships as a 'Class B' Official.

• Must attend a District/Regional Clinic & workshop.

• Request to be evaluated at National Championships (Application for evaluation in National Packet).

• Must pass written test and practical evaluation at the   National Championships.  Candidate will be evaluated on performance as judge and referee for forms and at least one style of sparring competition.  To be eligible for evaluation, candidate must work a minimum of four full days during the event .
    

How Certified:  Certification issued by Officials Program Administrator upon   successful completion of performance evaluation.

Class ‘AA’ Official.  Refers to senior Referees at the National Level who have demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and proficiency.

Requirements:

• Must meet all above requirements for Class 'E' through 'A'.

• Must be able to demonstrate a high degree of proficiency as a judge and referee for forms competition and both styles of  sparring competition .

• 'Class A' Official for a minimum of three years.

• Officiate at a minimum of three National Championships as a 'Class A' official.

• Attend annual District/Regional Clinic & workshop.

• Must request to be evaluated at the AAU National Championships (Application for evaluation in National Packet).

• Must pass written test and practical evaluation at the National Championships.  Candidate will be evaluated on performance as judge and referee for forms and both styles of sparring competition.  To be eligible for evaluation, candidate must work the entire event.           

How Certified :  All results and recommendations from the performance evaluations will be forwarded to the Executive Committee for a final review.  The National Executive Committee will be responsible for the approval of Officials to Class 'AA'.  Certification issued by Officials Program Administrator upon the approval of the Executive Committee.

Disciplinary Actions 

Officials are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism.