The majority of the following information was taken from the USA Volleyball’s Officials page and modified where needed to Carolina Region policies. Contact the Carolina Region Referee Chair, Stephen Shepherd for additional information.

Information on Becoming a Certified USAV Official

Certification of Volleyball referees for USA Volleyball and RVA sanctioned indoor competition is under the jurisdiction of USA Volleyball, the Officials Division and the Regional Volleyball Associations (RVA’s ). USA Volleyball also has the responsibility to train and identify candidates for certification as international referees by the FIVB. USA Volleyball has established these classifications of referees for indoor volleyball: Junior Olympic, Provisional, Regional, USA Volleyball Junior National, USA Volleyball National, USA Volleyball National (Retired), and Provisional USA International Referee.

Some prerequisite requirements are waived if the referee certification is being obtained under the conditions of the Certification Reciprocity Agreement between USA Volleyball and the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO).

A candidate who is currently certified by the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) may, by reciprocal agreement, become certified without meeting the practical rating requirement provided their ratings are current and were by members of the joint raters list (a Local becomes a Provisional, a State or National becomes a Regional). All other requirements (USA Volleyball membership, clinic attendance, referee and scorekeeper examinations, and pass a background screen required for working junior tournaments) must be met annually.

A candidate who is currently certified by USA Volleyball may, by reciprocal agreement, become certified without meeting the practical rating requirement provided their ratings are current and were by members of the joint raters list (a Provisional becomes a Local, a Region, Junior National or National becomes a State). All other requirements (PAVO and North Carolina Volleyball Officials Board (or other official’s board) membership, clinic attendance, and referee examination) must be met annually.

Junior, Provisional, Regional, Junior National (Retired), National (Retired), and other certifications as developed within the Region (Junior Regional and Adult Team) are certified through their respective RVA under the supervision of the Regional Referee Chair, in cooperation with the Regional Commissioner and according to prescribed criteria.

USAV Junior National and National referees are certified by the National Commissioner for Referee Certification & Evaluation and the National Commission for Junior National Referee Certification & Evaluation, upon the recommendation of the Evaluation and Development Committee.

In accordance with Article 8, Section B 1 of the Operating Code (USAV), all referees must be registered with USA Volleyball through their local RVA for the current season.

For those interested in UPGRADING your Referee certification, review the information below for the new certification and then download “Information on Upgrading your Referee Certification in the Carolina Region” available at the Officials Forms section.  Referees interested in upgrading to a Provisional 2, Regional 1, or Regional 2 certification must get their application in by December 15 of each season.

Click on the appropriate section header below for additional information about the certification for which you applied. Note: Scroll down to see each certification available and its requirements.

[Junior Referee] [Junior Regional Referee] [Adult Team Referee] [Provisional 1 Referee] [Provisional 2 Referee] [Regional 1 Referee] [Regional 2 Referee] [USA Junior National Referee] [USA Junior National Referee (Retired)] [USA Volleyball National Referee] [USA Volleyball National Referee (Retired)] [International Referee]

Junior Referee:
To become certified or re-certified as a Junior referee you must do the following:

1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball.
2. Attend a Carolina Region Official’s clinic (Referee & Scorekeeper portions).
3. Take and correct to 100 the approved USA Volleyball Form “Junior” written test for referees using the USAV Rule Book or any other reference materials.
4. Successfully complete the Junior scorekeeper certification requirements.
5. Demonstrate the ability to officiate as a first and second referee during one of the first three tournaments of the season.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Junior referee:

• After certification, the Junior referee shall have the opportunity to referee the team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region. Note for Junior Coaches: this certification meets the team requirement that at least one coach on the team must be a certified referee and present during their team’s work assignments. This certification does not entitle the coach to officiate (must get an adult certification).  NOTE:  Depending on needs, the Region’s designated Assigner may use Officials certified as a Junior Referee to work at sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region.

Junior Regional Referee:
To become certified or re-certified as a Junior Regional referee you must do the following:

1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball.
2. Attend a Carolina Region Official’s clinic (Referee & Scorekeeper portions).
3. Take and correct to 100 the approved USA Volleyball Form “Junior” written test for referees using the USAV Rule Book or any other reference materials.
4. Successfully complete the Junior scorekeeper certification requirements.
5. Demonstrate the ability to officiate as a first and second referee during a subsequent practical rating (must have TWO ratings as R1 and TWO as R2 from an Adult Regional (2) or above).

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Junior Regional referee:

1. After certification, the Junior Regional referee shall have the opportunity to referee the team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region.
2. After certification, the Junior Regional referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
3. After certification, the Junior Regional referee will be entitled to wear the official Junior Regional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
4. After certification, the Junior Regional referee who is at least 16 years of age shall have the opportunity to work assignments for volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
5. Practical ratings as a Junior Regional referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and taking the referee and scorekeeper written tests (corrected to 100) is required to maintain certification each year.

Adult Team Referee:
To become certified or re-certified as an Adult Team referee you must do the following:

1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
2. Attend a Carolina Region Official’s clinic (Referee & Scorekeeper portions).
3. Attain a minimum score of 70 percent on the approved USA Volleyball Form “C” written test for referees or (if scored below 70) correct to 100 using the rulebook or any other reference materials.
4. Successfully complete the Adult Team, Provisional or Regional scorekeeper certification requirements.
5. Demonstrate the ability to officiate as a first and second referee during a subsequent practical rating (must have 1 observation as R1 and 1 as R2).

Responsibilities and entitlements of an Adult Team referee:

1. After certification, the Adult Team referee shall have the opportunity to referee their team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region.
2. Practical ratings as an Adult Team referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and a passing score (or corrections to 100) on the referee and scorekeeper written tests is required to maintain certification each year.

Provisional 1 Referee:
For NEW Adult (18 or older) Professional Referee Certification. To become certified or re-certified as a Provisional 1 referee you must complete the following annually:

1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
2. Pass the USAV mandatory background screen;
3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
5. Pass Form A test or Form C (on line or in-person) with a 70% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive a 70%, you must take Form B test in person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass ONE as R1 (first referee) with a 70% or higher by member of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for 2 seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Provisional 1 referee:

1. After certification, the Provisional 1 referee will be entitled to wear the official Provisional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
2. After certification, the Provisional 1 referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
3. A Provisional 1 referee may elect to become a candidate for Provisional 2 Referee upon completion of one season as a Provisional 1 referee. The Provisional 1 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Provisional 1 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional referee chair.
5. Practical ratings as a Provisional 1 referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and a passing score (or corrections to 100) on the referee and scorekeeper written tests is required to maintain certification each year.
6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

Provisional 2 Referee:
For Adult (18 or older) Professional Referee certification- must have held a current USAV P1 certification for 1 year before applying for P2. To become certified or re-certified as a Provisional 2 referee you must complete the following:

1. Be a current member in good standing within Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
2. Pass the USAV mandatory background screen;
3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
5. Pass Form A or Form C test (on line or in-person) with a 75% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive a 75% you must take form B test in-person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass TWO as R1 (first referee) with a 75% or higher and ONE as R2 (second referee) with a 75% or higher by member of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for 2 seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Provisional 2 referee:

1. After certification, the Provisional 2 referee will be entitled to wear the official USAV Provisional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
2. After certification, the Provisional 2 referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Carolina Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
3. A Provisional 2 referee may elect to become a candidate for Regional 1 Referee upon completion of one season as a Provisional 2 referee. The Provisional 2 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Provisional 2 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional referee chair.
5. Practical ratings as a Provisional 2 referee are valid for a period of two years, however, annual clinic attendance and a passing score (or corrections to 100) on the referee and scorekeeper written tests is required to maintain certification each year.
6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

Regional 1 Referee:
For Adult (18 or older)  Professional Referee certification- must have held a current P2 certification for 1 year before applying for Regional 1. To become certified or re-certified as a Regional referee you must complete the following:

1. Be a current member in good standing within the Carolina Region – USA Volleyball.
2. Pass USAV mandatory background screen;
3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
5. Pass Form A test (on line or in-person) with an 80% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive an 80% you must take Form B test in person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass TWO as R1 (first referee) with an 80% or higher and TWO as R2 (second referee) with an 80% or higher by at least two members of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for THREE seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Regional 1 referee:

1. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 1 referee shall accept assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
2. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 1 referee will be entitled to wear the official USAV Regional patch while officiating at USA Volleyball-sanctioned events and will be authorized to purchase and wear the official approved uniform for USA Volleyball referees.
3. A Regional 1 referee may elect to become a candidate for Regional 2 referee upon completion of one season as a Regional 1 referee. The Regional 1 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Regional 1 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate regional referee chair.
5. Practical ratings as a Regional 1 referee are valid for a period of three years, however, an annual clinic attendance and a passing score on the written test is required to maintain certification each year.
6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

Regional 2 Referee:
For Adult (18 or older) Professional Referee certification- must have held a current Regional 1 certification for 1 year before applying for Regional 2. To become certified or re-certified as a Regional 2 referee you must complete the following:

1. Be a current member in good standing within the Carolina Region – USA Volleyball;
2. Pass USAV mandatory background screen;
3. Complete the required SafeSport course annually;
4. Attend an approved USAV officiating clinic;
5. Pass Form A test (on line or in-person) with an 84% or higher and corrected to 100% by December 31st. If you do not receive an 84% you must take Form B test in person by deadline of Feb. 1st;
6. Take Scorer Exam C by Dec. 31st;
7. Practical on-court Rating: Pass TWO as R1 (first referee) with an 85% or higher and TWO as R2 (second referee) with an 85% or higher by at least two members of the approved Rating Team.

Certification is good for THREE seasons. An official must complete steps 1 through 5 above annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities and entitlements of a Regional 2 referee:

1. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 2 referee shall accept assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
2. After certification by the Regional Referee Chair, the Regional 2 referee will be entitled to wear the official USAV Regional patch while officiating at USA Volleyball-sanctioned events and will be authorized to purchase and wear the official approved uniform for USA Volleyball referees.
3. A Regional 2 referee may elect to become a candidate for Junior National referee (www.carolinaregionvb.org/Officials/candcriteria.html) upon completion of two seasons as a Regional 2 referee. The Regional 2 rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Regional 2 referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball (passing a background screen is required) competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate regional referee chair.
5. Practical ratings as a Regional 2 referee are valid for a period of three years, however, an annual clinic attendance and a passing score on the written test is required to maintain certification each year.
6. With the approval of the Regional Commissioner, an application fee may be assessed for the administration of the clinic and examination process. The Carolina Region charges $10 to those individuals that do not pre-register for Region-sponsored clinics and recommends a charge of $5 for clubs sponsoring their own clinic(s).

USA Junior National Referee:
To see the current requirements and process to become a USA Junior National Referee, go to this page and go to the Certifications and Requirements Section.

USA Junior National Referee (Retired):

To see the current requirements and process to become a USA Junior National Referee (Retired), go to this page and go to the Certifications and Requirements Section.

USA Volleyball National Referee:
To see the current requirements and process to become a USAV National Referee, go to this page and go to the Certifications and Requirements Section.

USA National Referee (Retired):

To see the current requirements and process to become a USAV National Referee (Retired), go to this page and go to the Certifications and Requirements Section.

USA International Referee:
To see the current requirements and process to become a USA International Referee, go to this page and go to the Certifications and Requirements Section.