Official's Certification Requirements

Article 1 - Purpose and Function

It is the aim of the Amateur Athletic Union National Karate Committee to maintain the highest standards of officiating in order to promote fairness and good sportsmanship at karate competitions and tournaments.

All AAU officials shall maintain current AAU membership and possess proof thereof.

Class R Official - Senior Referees who have demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and proficiency, instruct at Officials' clinics and officiate at international competitions.

Requirements 

1. Minimum rank San-dan (third degree) 
2. Minimum age thirty (30) 
3. National Class J Official for a minimum of three (3) years 
4. Proficiency & understanding of National and International Kumite rules as demonstrated in previous tournaments 
5. Proficiency & understanding of kata, jumite and kobudo as demonstrated before the National Referees' Council 
6. Perform and analyze a minimum of two (2) kata from mandatory list (One from own style and the other from a different style) 
7. Pass official written test 
8. Meet all requirements from class J through O 
9. Certification to Class R by National Executive Committee 
10. License will be valid for two years

Class J Official - Referees, judges or arbitrates at the National Level

Requirements

1. Proficiency in understanding refereeing terminology in two or more languages (Japanese/English) 
2. Meet all requirements for a minimum of one year 
3. Class O Official for a minimum of one year 
4. Certification to Class J by National Executive Committee 
5. Minimum rank second degree black belt 
6. Minimum age twenty-one (21) 
7. Proficiency & understanding of National and International Kumite rules as demonstrated before the National Referees' Council 
8. Pass official written test
9. License will be valid for two (2) years

Class O Official - Judges or arbitrates at the National Level

Requirements

1. Proficiency and pass evaluation in officiating as a referee, judge and arbitrator as demonstrated in tournaments and practice matches. 
2. Understanding and pass evaluation of the operation and organization of national championship 
3. Participated at one AAU National Karate Championship as a table volunteer 
4. Certification to Class ) by National Council of Referees 
5. Minimum rank Sho-Dan (first degree black belt) 
6. Minimum age eighteen (18) 
7. Pass official written test 
8. Attendance at Officials' clinic, lecture and workshop 
9. License will be valid for one (1) year 

For more info please contact Jennifer Miles at (407) 828-3704 or jennifer@aausports.org.