Each level is slightly different, but the principle is the same: demonstrate increased activity level, demonstrate rules and policy mastery appropriate to your sought level, while avoiding the most time-consuming or difficult-to-repeat aspects of earning a level.
In all cases, there is a requirement to wait three months before applying to regain your previous level. We wanted to make the path to reinstatement fairly painless, but we don’t want it to be preferable to just not completing maintenance in the first place.
Once you have completed the steps below for your level please email testing@judgefoundry.org with your exam id and recommendation and we will process the re-leveling request.
Level One
If you’ve been relegated to uncertified and were previously a Level One Judge, you can return to Level One by…
- Passing the Level One Refresh Exam
- If you used up all three attempts on this exam and did not succeed on any of them, you must take a new Level One Certification Exam.
- If you already passed your Refresh Exam, but did not maintain your level due to lack of activity, this requirement is considered to be completed.
- Judging an event
- This event must be after April 1, 2025.
- It does count toward your 2026 Maintenance requirements.
- Waiting until at least July 1, 2025
Level Two
If you’ve been relegated to Level One and were previously a Level Two Judge, you can return to Level Two by…
- Passing the Level Two/Level Three Refresh Exam
- If you used up both attempts on this exam and did not succeed on any of them, you must pass two update quizzes after April 1, 2025.
- If you already passed your Refresh Exam, but did not maintain your level due to lack of activity, this requirement is considered to be completed.
- Judging a competitive event
- This event must be after April 1, 2025.
- It does count toward your 2026 Maintenance requirements.
- Waiting until at least July 1, 2025
Level Three
If you’ve been relegated to Level Two and were previously a Level Three Judge, you can return to Level Three by…
- Passing the Level Two/Level Three Refresh Exam
- If you used up both attempts on this exam and did not succeed on any of them, you must pass two update quizzes after April 1, 2025.
- If you already passed your Refresh Exam, but did not maintain your level due to lack of activity, this requirement is considered to be completed.
- Receiving a recommendation from a Level Three+ Judge after working a competitive event together
- This recommendation should be pretty short (one to two pages) and should focus on logistics and leadership skills.
- This event must be after April 1, 2025.
- Waiting until at least July 1, 2025
Level Four
If you’ve been relegated to Level Three and were previously a Level Four Judge, you can return to Level Four by…
- Passing the Level Four/Level Five Refresh Exam
- If you used up both attempts on this exam and did not succeed on any of them, you must pass two advanced update quizzes after April 1, 2025.
- If you already passed your Refresh Exam, but did not maintain your level due to lack of activity, this requirement is considered to be completed.
- Receiving a recommendation from a Level Four+ Judge after team leading at a competitive Event
- This recommendation should be pretty short (one to two pages) and should focus on logistics and leadership skills.
- You must lead a team of at least two other judges. The recommendation should come from a judge on your team or from the Head Judge or Appeals Judge
- This event must be after April 1, 2025.
- Waiting until at least July 1, 2025
Level Five
If you’ve been relegated to Level Four and were previously a Level Five Judge, you can return to Level Five by…
- Passing the Level Four/Level Five Refresh Exam
- If you used up both attempts on this exam and did not succeed on any of them, you must pass two advanced update quizzes after April 1, 2025.
- If you already passed your Refresh Exam, but did not maintain your level due to lack of activity, this requirement is considered to be completed.
- Receiving a recommendation from a Level Five Judge after working in an appropriate role at a competitive Event
- This recommendation should be focused on an event where you held a role that demonstrated skills that differentiate Level Four and Level Five, such as Head Judge or Appeals Judge for events on their respective lists. Leading especially challenging teams, like End of Round for a Regional Championship or Deck Checks for a Limited Spotlight Series, may also be considered.
- The recommendation should come from the Head Judge or an Appeals Judge.
- This event must be after April 1, 2025.
- Waiting until at least July 1, 2025