The following information details the evaluation process for upgrading a referee’s certification. In addition, a candidate for any of these certifications must also fulfill Keystone Region “good standing” requirements for membership registration, clinic attendance, exams, regional officiating activities, and any other designated requirements.

The Keystone Region Referee Development Team consist of “Referee Coaches” who are USA Junior National and National referees whose experience and knowledge will prove invaluable to referees throughout the Keystone Region.

NOTE: During an evaluation session for upgrading a certification, referees are not paid for the matches on which they are evaluated. They will be paid the established rate for any other matches.

A Provisional official may request to upgrade to a Regional certification by declaring his/her intention to the Officials Development Team. An email can be sent to Dave Jones krvaofficials@gmail.com. An official may apply for this certification before the third year after receiving the Provisional certification with the approval of the Keystone Region’s Officials Development Team. The USAV evaluation form or a designated KRVA evaluation form may be used for this process. For you to advance to a Regional official certification, you must show a sustained quality and commitment to officiating.


Steps to Take to Achieve Upgrade include:

  • Express interest! Send an email to krvaofficials@gmail.com expressing your interest.
  • Work with mentors and experienced officials to prepare. As noted above for maintaining observations, you can ask to be observed to assist you in preparing for an upgrade in certification
  • Get an endorsement from a KRVA National or Junior National official
  • Pass 2 separate evaluations, as both a first and second official



Process for Evaluation includes:

  • Must be in proper uniform
  • Evaluated as R1 and R2
  • Must meet minimum requirements for Regional to pass evaluation
  • Full debrief with evaluator after each rating

A Regional referee may request to become a candidate for Junior National referee by declaring his/her intention to  Neal Kenzakowski and Glenn Reid. A referee may apply for this certification in the first year subsequent to receiving a Regional referee certification. Factors used to determine viable Keystone Region Junior National referee candidates include but aren’t limited to: professionalism, KRVA good standing, exam results, and participation in KRVA-sponsored events.

Candidates will be required to attend JN Candidate Evaluation designated event as determined by the KRVA Referee Development Team which will include a formal evaluation as first and second referees, as well as a scoring review match.


Areas of emphasis for Jr. National candidates:

FIRST OFFICIAL

  • Professionalism
  • Mechanics and protocols
  • Dealing with coaches/players
  • Ball handling
  • Back row issues
  • Rules knowledge
  • Unusual circumstances
  • Presence/Demeanor/Professionalism

SECOND OFFICIAL

  • Dealing with coaches/players
  • Alignments
  • Transition
  • Court/bench awareness
  • Mechanics and rules knowledge
  • Knowledge of scoring procedures
  • Assistance to first official
  • Presence/Demeanor/Professionalism

After review of all prospective candidates, the KRVA Development Team will determine which prospective candidate(s) will be submitted to USA Volleyball as Junior National referee
candidates representing the Keystone Region. These candidates must be ranked (1, 2, 3, etc.) with the strongest candidate ranked “1” in case all candidates are not accepted due to limited openings at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships.

The USA Volleyball evaluation forms may be utilized during this process. Copies are available from the Development Team.

The KRVA Junior National referee candidate(s) must receive signed approval from the Officials Advisor and regional Commissioner. The application, signature page, and application fee must be submitted by the candidate to the KRVA Officials Advisor, who will submit all Junior National referee candidate applications to USA Volleyball by the established deadline each season.

Referee Advancement Program Application

A Junior National referee may request to become a candidate for National referee by applying to the USAV Director of Officials, or her/his designee. In addition to the application, three Recommendation Forms must be submitted to apply for candidacy. Additional information for prospective National referee candidates is found online: https://usavolleyball.org/resources-for-officials/indoor-referees/ in the Indoor Referees – Applications section. The National referee candidate’s application must be signed by the KRVA Officials Advisor and KRVA Commissioner to confirm the candidate’s good standing within the KRVA.

The signed application page with three Recommendation Forms and the application fee must be submitted by the candidate to USA Volleyball by the established deadline each season. NOTE: National referee candidates must have a working knowledge of scoring procedures and should have at least a Regional USAV scorer certification.