National Rating Criteria
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National Rating/Renewal Application
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The National rating is intended to be an ACTIVE rating for umpires who continually seek to improve their skills, are CURRENT with international interpretations, are both MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY FIT, and who are capable of umpiring the TOP LEVEL GAMES in this country. 

Initial ratings and renewal candidates shall:

Submit a resume and application to the current National Ratings Chair by March 1, and

Submit a list of matches for the previous two years umpiring, and

Submit a projected umpiring schedule for the immediate season, and

Provide evidence of being an umpiring participant in one or more of the following:  Super Camp, Developmental B Camp, International Tour, National Hockey Festival, or any other designated major tournament, and

Provide evidence of past service to the umpiring organization:  committee work at the local, sectional, or national level; clinician; umpiring for national team practices, selection games, or exhibition games.

Applications shall be based upon:

1. Being recommended for a National rating by the Sectional Umpiring Chair or Clinicians from a USFHA Developmental Camp, and
2. Strength of schedule, and
3. Maintaining a USFHA recognized Sectional rating for at least two years, and
4. Evidence of service, and
5. Receiving a grade of at least 90% on the current written examination administered by the local board or camp, and

Initial and renewal rating sites

Evaluating Procedures

1. The Umpiring Committee will appoint Tournament Evaluators for each of the major tournaments
2. Evaluators should be National or International umpires or visiting FIH ranked officials.
3. Verbal appraisals of umpiring capabilities will occur at the end of the field evaluations.
4. Written recommendations shall be prepared by the Tournament Evaluators and presented to the National Ratings Chair.
5. The Umpiring Division’s Executive Committee will make the final decision as to the granting or renewing of National Ratings (Executive Committee voting members are:  National Umpiring Chair, Rules Interpreter, Administrator, Past National Umpiring Chair, Technical Committee Chair, and Director of Umpiring/Sports Science)
6. The National Ratings Chair will contact all candidates informing those individuals of the Executive Committee’s decision.

Exemptions

Active International (FIH Rated) umpires will be exempted from this renewal procedure provided they have been assigned to and umpired in an international event within the last quadrennium.

Awards

The USFHA shall award a National Umpire emblem.

Additional information

1. An umpire may receive a one year probationary National, a National Emeritus or a Sectional rating for failure to meet National standards (the umpire may choose to be re-rated after one year).
2. A candidate may be accelerated through the evaluation procedures if approved by the Executive Committee.
3. Only one one-year extension can be granted within a rating period.

Service

1. An initial candidate shall provide evidence of service at the local and sectional levels.
2. A National umpire shall provide service yearly during the four year term of rating. Service includes judging National candidates, serving as a clinician at regional and developmental camps, and umpiring at the National Hockey Festival and other designated tournaments or games.  Service also includes serving on committees within the Umpiring Division.
3. Failure to meet these requirements will result in not being renewed unless there are extenuating circumstances as judged by the Executive Committee.
4. National umpires have a responsibility to train and/or judge umpires in their sections and regions.

Fees

1. Written examinations for National Umpires shall be given annually by the local association or umpiring center/camp and fees retained by the examining body.
2. The Umpiring Division may assess an application fee to assist in covering the expenses of the Tournament Evaluators.  ($75 initial candidates; $50 for renewals)

Ratings Awarded

The National rating can only be conferred by the USFHA Executive Committee.  Passing a field practicum does not guarantee that a National rating will be awarded or renewed-- it is solely at the discretion of the USFHA Executive Committee.  (Note:  The National Ratings Chair has no vote.)

USFHA Umpiring Division Policy No. 1

Amended – Sally Edinger, National Ratings Chair