HOW DO I BECOME A TENNIS OFFICIAL?
1. Be an active USTA member.
2. Have a correctable 20-20 vision. A doctor must corroborate this every two years. Certification for even years (i.e. 2010 processed in 2009) requires vision verification by an eye doctor.
3. Take and pass a provisional test.
4. Turn in your Data Card to your Section Chairman (Bruce Sampley, 1328 S. Lake St., Fort Worth, TX 76104) by October 5 of each year. If you do not have a blank Data Card, contact Tony Nimmons at the USTA in New York via e-mail at nimmons@usta.com .
5. Contact your area coordinator to learn about upcoming tournaments.
FOR A COPY OF THE PROVISIONAL EXAM OR DATA CARD, CLICK HERE
FOR A LIST OF OFFICIALS SCHOOLS, CLICK HERE
MORE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED IN OUR FAQ, CLICK HERE
BASIC CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Provisional Umpire (PV)
* Must pass provisional online exam (see above).
Sectional Umpire (SE)
* Must attend school and pass the Sectional Umpire test.
* Shall have officiated for a total of five of the following:
* Line Umpire matches
* Chair Umpire matches
* Roving Umpire days
CHAIR UMPIRE CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Sectional Chair Umpire (SC)
* Shall have attended school and passed appropriate test.
* Shall have served as a Chair Umpire in five matches.
* Note: Chair umpire matches used to qualify for the Sectional Umpire may not be used to also qualify for the Sectional Chair Umpire.
USTA Chair Umpire (UC)
* Shall have attended school and passed appropriate test.
* Shall have officiated as a Chair Umpire in ten matches.
* Shall have been previously certified as a Sectional Umpire; and shall have received satisfactory evaluation(s) as a Chair Umpire.
National Chair Umpire (NC)
* Shall have officiated in 15 matches as a Chair Umpire in matches at USTA National Championships, Intercollegiate National Championships, ITF International Championships, or professional tournaments with prize money of at least $10,000. At least ten (10) of these matches shall have been in USTA, ITF, ATP, or WTA tournaments with prize money of at least $50,000.
* Shall have been certified as a USTA Chair Umpire or higher chair category within the previous two years; and
* Shall have received satisfactory National evaluations as a Chair Umpire.
Professional Chair Umpire (PC)
* Shall have officiated as a Chair Umpire in 30 matches in professional tournaments with prize money of at least $50,000. Twenty of these matches shall have been in USTA, ITF, ATP, or WTA tournaments with prize money of $150,000.
* Shall have been certified as a National Chair Umpire or higher Chair Umpire category within the previous two years; and
* The National Chairperson of Officials shall consider reports and evaluations from tournament Supervisors and Referees in certifying these officials.
LINE UMPIRE CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
USTA Line Umpire (UL)
* Shall have attended school and passed appropriate test.
* Shall have officiated as a Line Umpire for 20 matches; and
* And shall have received satisfactory evaluation(s) as a Line Umpire.
National Line Umpire (NL)
* Shall have officiated as Line Umpire for 20 days in matches at USTA National Championships, Intercollegiate National Championships, ITF International Championships, or professional tournaments with prize money of at least $10,000. At least ten (10) of these days shall have been in USTA, ITF, ATP, or WTA tournaments with prize money of at least $50,000.
* Shall have been certified as a USTA Line Umpire or higher line category within the previous two years; and
* Shall have received satisfactory National evaluations as a Line Umpire.
Professional Line Umpire (PL)
* Shall have officiated as a Line Umpire in 50 days in professional tournaments with prize money of at least $50,000. Thirty of these days shall have been in USTA, ITF, ATP, or WTA tournaments with prize money of at least $150,000.
* Shall have been certified as a National Line Umpire or higher Line Umpire category within the previous two years; and
* The National Chairperson of Officials shall consider reports and evaluations from tournament Supervisors and Referees in certifying these officials.
CHIEF UMPIRE CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
USTA Chief Umpire (UCU)
* Shall have served as a Chief Umpire for one tournament.
Professional Chief Umpire (PCU)
* Shall have served as a Chief Umpire of three USTA National Championships, ITF International Championships, collegiate tournaments or professional tournaments with prize money of at least $10,000. Two of these tournaments shall have been professional tournaments with prize money of at least $150,000.
REFEREE CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Provisional Referee (PN)
* Shall have attended the required school or schools conducted by an approved USTA Trainer/Evaluator (T/E) and shall have passed all applicable tests required of a Referee.
Sectional Referee (SR)
* Shall have attended school and passed the appropriate test.
* Shall have served as a Referee or as a Deputy Referee for an entire tournament.
USTA Referee (UR)
* Shall have attended school and passed the appropriate test.
* Shall have served as a Referee for three tournaments, one of which may have been as a Deputy Referee.
National Referee (NR)
* Shall have attended school and passed the appropriate test.
* Shall have served as a Referee in four tournaments, two of which shall have been in USTA National Championships, ITF International Championships, Intercollegiate National Championships, or professional tournaments with prize money of at lease $10,000.
Professional Referee (PVR)
* Shall have attended school and passed the appropriate test.
* Shall have served as a Referee in five tournaments, all of which shall have been USTA National Championships, ITF International Championships, Intercollegiate National Tournaments, or professional tournaments with prize money of at lease $10,000. At least three of these tournaments shall have been USTA, ITF, ATP, or WTA tournaments with prize money of at least $10,000.
INTERCOLLEGIATE CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Intercollegiate Official (ITC)
* Must have attended school and passed the appropriate test.
* Shall have officiated for a total of five days, which may be any combination as a Chair Umpire, Roving Umpire, or Referee for intercollegiate dual matches or tournaments.