WORLD ATHLETICS REFEREE EDUCATION CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
BRONZE 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 certified 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 RW Judge exam may request to be considered a Bronze Level WA Race Walk Judge.
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). 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 BRONZE APPLICATION – Race Walk Judge
BRONZE RACE WALK JUDGE ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates must:
-be at least 19 years of age
-be a current a 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 on December 6, 2025. (Applicants must confirm
availability upon selection)
-be a certified USATF National and/or Masters Level Race Walk Judge for at least three years
-have completed the WARECS Bronze Race Walking online course.
-have been actively and regularly involved as a Race Walk Judge for at least the last three years
at association, regional and/or national level (if there has been a valid reason for a disruption in
service during the last three years, earlier service may be considered. Provide explanation.)
-have experience as a Chief Judge at association, regional and/or national level championships
-not currently a WARECS Bronze, Silver or Gold Race Walk Judge
NOTE: Any Race Walk Judge who applies for Bronze Race Walk certification and is not selected will be placed on a list for consideration the following year, however, they are encouraged to update their Judging Histories and other supplemental materials.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete the on-line application and provide supplemental materials:
- RW Judging History for at least the last 4 years. An 6 year history is preferred and more can be
provided. (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 you have worked with.) - Additional questions:(answer at least 2 of the following questions)
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.
APPLICATION FORM – WARWJ Bronze Application (applications closed)
SUBMITTAL DEADLINE – September 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 rated 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 certified 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.