Umpire Qualification Requirements

Race Officials

RYA awards two qualifications for umpires, Regional Umpire (RU) and RYA National Umpire (NU). The International Umpire (IU) qualification is awarded by World Sailing.

All RYA umpire qualifications are held for four years, after which time an application for renewal must be made. Applicants must be:

Members of the RYA
Age 18 or over for National Umpire; 16 or over for RYA Umpire
An experienced racing sailor
An email user with internet access
UK passport holder (or have principal residence in the UK).
Hold a VHF short-range certificate (For National only) and at least Powerboat Level 2.

The table below provides a summary of the Umpire qualification requirements. For all qualification requirements in more detail, please view our competency document.

Requirement	Regional Umpire		National Umpire
	*Initial*	*Renewal*	*Initial*	*Renewal*
Course	RYA Introduction to Umpiring or Regional Umpire Course	Not required	RYA National Umpire Course	Not required
Examination	Not required	Not required	RYA National Umpire Exam	Not required
Performance Assessment	Not required	Assessed to RU standard	Assessed to NU Standard	Assessed to NU Standard
Experience	2 events	4 events	4 major events	4 major events
VHF Certificate	Not required	Not required	Yes	Yes
Powerboat Qualification	PB 2	PB 2	PB 2	PB 2
References	1	Not required	2	Not required
Conference	Not required	Yes	Not required	Yes
Race Officials Safeguarding Course*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

* see 3.2 h)

References must be from the events given on the application form.

Attendance at a course of the same level is an acceptable in place of conference attendance.

RYA National Umpires who gain the International qualification (with MNA affiliation as GBR), will be re-appointed without further application until their International qualification lapses. After it lapses, they will be re-appointed as a National Umpire for one year. All other international officials must reapply for renew at the end of their term.

Performance assessment

A performance assessment is conducted by an RYA approved assessor, for a list, please contact RaceOfficials@rya.org.uk. The assessor will either recommend that the applicant apply for Regional or National status, or that more experience is needed before application. In all cases the assessor will provide feedback on performance.

The Umpire application form, reference form and performance assessment can be found here.