WORLD ATHLETICS REFEREE EDUCATION CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
SILVER APPLICATION – RACE WALK JUDGE
WARECS – The World Athletics Referee Education and Certification System (WARECS) was
implemented in 2022 to replace the IAAF Technical Official Education and Certification System
(TOECS). The aim of this program is to ensure that valid performances from WA designated meets
and races be recognized for a range of purposes including World Records, World Rankings, entry
qualifications, championships and other competitions.The new system seeks to increase the
number of WA Referees, Race Walk Judges, Photo Finish Judges and Starters at all levels –
Bronze, Silver and Gold, and to provide a more diverse gender and regional balance among
qualified WA Officials. The program also seeks to enlarge the pool of trained National Athletics
Referees (NAR) [formerly National Technical Officials (NTO) trained under TOECS Level I].
NOTE: Active officials who have previously passed the TOECS Level II may request to be
considered a Bronze Level Athletics Referee.
USATF Race Walking – Will select candidates to be considered to take the WARECS Race Walk
Judge exams. The Bronze Level Race Walk Judge exam will be held annually from 2024 through
2028 and Silver and Gold exams will be held in alternate years. (Silver exams will occur in 2023,
2025 and 2027 and Gold exams will occur in 2024, 2026 and 2028). All WA Judges may maintain
the Bronze qualification for life. Silver and Gold RW judges shall maintain the qualification for 8
years after which they may be invited to a re-evaluation. Bronze and Silver RW Judges may apply
to test for the next level with four years at their current level. Officials at all levels are subject to
ongoing evaluation and can be removed for cause.
USATF – WARECS SILVER APPLICATION – Race Walk Judge
ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates must:
-be at least 23 years of age
-be a current USATF member
-be USATF Safe Sport Compliant or achieve compliance before the end of the application period
-be available to take the online written exam (note: there will only be one testing date in 2025 and
in 2027. Applicants must confirm availability upon selection)
-have been a Bronze Level WA Race Walk Judge for at least three years
-have been actively and regularly involved as a Race Walk Judge for at least the last seven years
at association, regional, national and WA events
-have experience as a Chief Judge at association, regional, national and/or WA events
Additional criteria for candidates who are not WA Bronze RWJudges (2025 Only)
-be a certified USATF National and/or Masters Level Race Walk Judge for at least four years
-have completed the WARECS Bronze Race Walking online course
APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete the on-line application and provide supplemental materials:
-RW Judging History for at least the last 4 years (More years are preferred. Note which events
were association, regional, national, high school, collegiate, WA, or other elite competitions and
include any other officiating roles served at these events.)
-RW Bio, discuss roles and contributions to race walking (Include your experiences and
responsibilities as a race walk judge, official, coach, athlete, event organizer, administrator, etc)
-Two letters of recommendation from USATF Masters Level or WA RW Judges. (Letters must
be from a certified RW Judge who has acted as Chief Judge or Head RW Official at an event
you have worked.)
-Additional questions: (Answer at least 2 of the questions below)
1) Describe a positive experience you had on a RW Judging crew and what made this experience
positive.
2) Describe your experiences as Chief Judge when the situation did not go as planned. What happened
and how did you respond?
3) Have you served as a mentor for a RW Judge(s) or RW Official(s)? Name the event(s) and describe
your role.
4) What transferable skills and experiences would you bring to the table as a WA RW Judge that might not be apparent on your officiating resume?
APPLICATION FORM – WARECS Silver RWJudge (CLOSED)
SUBMITTAL DEADLINE – JUNE 15, 2025 at 11:59PM Pacific Time.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be considered by a task force made up of the USATF Race Walk Officials
Subcommittee and the Race Walk Officials Selection Subcommittee. Applicants will be ranked
based on judging experience and contributions to race walking. Greater weight will be given for
national championships and WA events. Input will be sought from the USATF National Officials
Evaluations Subcommittee. A goal is to promote a diverse gender and regional balance among
qualified WA Race Walk Judges. Final recommendations will go to the USATF Race Walk Chair, for
referral to the USATF WA Technical Officials Subcommittee, and sent to the USATF President for
approval before being forwarded to WA.