Article 3.12.3.9, Annex "J"
Guidelines for Judges
Chapter:
Page number
J.1.0 General 132 J.2.0 Acquisition of a License 133 J.3.0 Validity and Extension of the License 134 J.4.0 Expiration of a License 134 J.5.0 Judges' Courses 135 J.6.0 Upgrading 138 J.7.0 Special Arrangements for the Issuance of Judge's Licenses 138 J.8.0 Assignment of Judges 139 J.9.0 Application FORMS FOR LICENSES J.10.0 EST Licenses 141
SPECIAL NOTE:	In the context of this Annex, the word "Judge" refers to an accredited ISSF Judges’ license holder. The word "Jury" refers to those licensed judges who are appointed to Jury duties at specified Championships.

J.1.0	General
J.1.1	For the achievement of its purposes the International Shooting Sport Federation licenses judges to supervise shooting competitions and to ensure the fair and equal treatment of all competitors (see ISSF Constitution). Judges must be experienced and fully conversant with the current versions of the ISSF Rules (J.1.0 to J.6.0 plus the relevant Technical Rules for the Shooting discipline concerned) in order to advise, supervise, and assist if necessary.
J.1.2	The ISSF issues judges' licenses as confirmation of qualification.
J.1.3	Judges' licenses are divided into two (2) categories.
J.1.3.1	Category "A" authorizes the holder to act as an official jury member at all shooting competitions, for which the license is valid with respect to the disciplines included, including the Olympic Games and World Championships. Judges of this category are also permitted to conduct official ISSF Judges’ Courses when duly authorized.
J.1.3.2	Category "B" authorizes the holder to act as an official jury member in all shooting competitions, for which the license is valid with respect to the disciplines included, except the Olympic Games and the World Championships.
J.1.4	The ISSF issues judges’ licenses for the following disciplines:
J.1.4.1	Rifle shooting (1)
J.1.4.2	Pistol shooting (2)
J.1.4.3	Shotgun shooting (3)
J.1.4.4	Running Target shooting (4)
J.1.4.5	Target Control (5)
J.1.4.6	Electronic Scoring Target Control (6)
J.1.4.7	The ISSF can issue judges' licenses for one or more discipline(s), but only following successful completion of official ISSF courses in each of the disciplines. Normally, No. 5 (Target Control) is combined with the shooting disciplines No 1 (Rifle), No 2 (Pistol) and No 4 (Running Target). However, No 6 (Electronic Scoring Target Control) is only issued after successful completion of an official ISSF course on that specific subject. (See J. 9.0)
J.1.5	The ISSF Headquarters and the Chairman of the Judges' Committee maintain a list of all the license holders. Every year the names of the new license holders will be published in the ISSF News.
J.1.6	License holders may only act as jury members for the Olympic Games and the World Championships if they have been designated by the Executive Committee of the ISSF. For World Cups jury members will be nominated by the Secretary General of the ISSF and the Chairman of the ISSF Judges’ Committee, and designated by the Executive Committee. For Continental and Regional Games and Championships they must be designated by the Continental or Regional Confederations.
J.2.0	Acquisition of a License
J.2.1	The applicant must have the necessary experience and maturity as judge.
J.2.2	ISSF judges' licenses are not granted to active shooters who still Participate in competitions where world records may be established. If the holder of a Judges' license wishes to Participate as a shooter, he must return the license to the ISSF Headquarters for cancellation. He may apply for a new license.
J.2.3	For the acquisition of an ISSF judge’s license, preparatory instruction and training is necessary. The applicants should possess a national judge’s license of the highest level issued by their National Federation, or must have equivalent experience as a national judge and as a range official.
J.2.4	Applicants must also have achieved the pass-standard in the General Aspects and the Shooting Discipline Parts of an official ISSF judges' course within the last four years.
J.2.5	An applicant's National Federation must sign the completed official ISSF judges' application form (see form at end of Guidelines) to confirm the contents and support the application. The National Federation must then send it to the ISSF Headquarters.
J.2.6	Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than 31 December each year for licenses to be issued in the following year.
J.2.7	Each application must be accompanied by two (2) recent passport photographs 3 cm x 2 cm of the applicant.
J.2.8	The ISSF Judges' Committee will evaluate and approve, where appropriate or postpone applications during its annual meeting which will usually be held towards the end of January each year (see ISSF Constitution).
J.2.9	After approval, the ISSF Headquarters will issue the licenses. To be valid they must be signed by the ISSF Secretary General and the Chairman of the ISSF Judges Committee.
J.2.10	These licenses are sent to the National Federations for delivery to the license holders.
J.2.11	A fee of Swiss Francs (CHF) 30.00 must be paid for a new license.
J.2.12	Approval of initial applications will result in the issue of a "B" category license. Category "A" licenses are only issued following further experience and upgrading.
J.3.0	Validity and Extension of the License
J.3.1	All ISSF judges' licenses are issued for a period of four (4) years.
J.3.2	After expiration of this period, the license can be renewed.
J.3.3	The National Federation must submit all requests for renewal to the ISSF Headquarters accompanied by a completed Renewal Form (see form at end of Guidelines).
J.3.4	The application must be accompanied by two (2) recent passport photographs 3 cm x 2 cm of the applicant.
J.3.5	Evidence of recent activity as a Jury Member is required, and the applicant must be conversant with the current edition of the ISSF Rules.
J.3.6	The current license should not be returned when applying for a renewal, though it will cease to be valid after the expiry date. Applications for renewal should be submitted at least three months before expiry.
J.3.7	The Chairman of the Judges' Committee in co-operation with the ISSF Headquarters will deal with all renewals. Renewed licenses will be returned to the National Federation.
J.3.8	A fee of Swiss Francs (CHF) 20.00 will be charged for each renewal.
J.4.0	Expiration of a License
J.4.1	When an ISSF judge’s license expires after four years, license holders will be taken off the ISSF list if not renewed by application within two years. In such a case any future license must be applied for in accordance with J.2.0 (Acquisition of a License), including attendance at course(s). Licenses renewed late within the two years will only be valid for four years from the previous expiry date.
J.4.2	The license holder's National Federation, at any time, has the right to apply for cancellation of an ISSF judge's license. The license holder may be taken off the list, in such a case the license should be returned to the ISSF.
J.4.3	A judge’s license may be cancelled if a holder does not fulfil his duties as a judge or harms the interest or reputation of the ISSF. The holder will be taken off the ISSF list and the license must be returned to the ISSF. All ISSF judges' licenses remain the property of the International Shooting Sport Federation.
J.5.0	Judges' Courses
J.5.1	Only courses that have been approved and recognized by the ISSF will be considered as official training courses for judges. Applications for recognition must be submitted to the ISSF Headquarters as soon as possible, but at least three months before the date of the intended course. The application must include:
J.5.1.1	Where the course will be held;
J.5.1.2	The dates of the course;
J.5.1.3	The name(s) of the shooting disciplines that will be covered;
J.5.1.4	The name(s) of the ISSF "A" license holder(s) proposed to conduct the course (and they must possess a valid "A" license for the discipline(s) concerned). The name of the course coordinator and, if different, of the person who is to conduct the instruction on J.1.0 to J.5.0 of the Rules ;
J.5.1.5	Which expenses will be met by the National Organizer;
J.5.1.6	In which language(s) the course will be conducted;
J.5.1.7	From which National Federation(s) the Participants will come;
J.5.2	The basis for ISSF judges' courses is the ISSF Training Guidelines. A copy of this document will be issued by the ISSF to the course coordinator of every approved course. The objective is to ensure that applicants for ISSF "B" licenses have a proper understanding of the Rules, and their application, in respect of the disciplines for which they seek to be licensed; also to ensure applicants have a proper understanding of the Constitution, General Regulations, Terms of Reference, Eligibility and Anti-Doping Regulations, etc applicable to all disciplines. Separately, applicants for licenses must possess practical experience gained from officials' duties within their National Federation. Normally, applicants for ISSF judges' courses should already possess the highest National license as a range official; where nations do not have a national license system the applicants must possess equivalent practical experience.
J.5.2.1	Every PART of the course should be opened with the explanation of the purpose and the content of the course, followed by the duties of a judge.
J.5.2.2	During the course the ISSF General Regulations and Constitution of the ISSF, etc, (J.1.0 to J.5.0) must be covered and a test conducted.
J.5.2.3	The "Rifle" discipline must also include 50 m and 10 m Pistol shooting.
J.5.2.4	If a separate course is held for 25 m Pistol shooting, 10 m and 50 m Pistol shooting must also be included.
J.5.2.5	Shotgun, Running Target and Electronic Scoring Target (see J. 10.0) disciplines are treated separately.
J.5.3	The name of the instructor(s) must be submitted to the ISSF and confirmed. The Organizer can propose instructors to the ISSF for approval, or can request that suitable instructors be provided. The instructors must be highly qualified, and be holders of a valid ISSF "A" license.
J.5.3.1	When there is only one (1) instructor, the different disciplines must be dealt with in succession. This must be done according to a training schedule so that the Participants can become familiar with the content of a course and can make arrangements for Participating in the different sections.
J.5.3.2	If there are instructors for the various disciplines the opening of the course, and lectures on the Constitution and the General Regulations, should be given to everyone together. The Participants can then separate for the individual disciplines.
J.5.3.3	The Organizer must pay the costs for travelling, accommodation, meals and local transportation for the instructor(s).
J.5.4	Courses should last a minimum of two days and this should be extended if several disciplines are to be treated in succession.
J.5.5	The Organizer is responsible for providing a training room with adequate facilities for efficient instruction, and for the comfort of those attending.
J.5.6	A maximum of 30 Participants should be admitted to each discipline per instructor. To make the course cost effective it is recommended that at least 12 Participants should attend.
J.5.6.1	The Participants should possess a good background of practical experience as officials before attending a course. Participants with little experience must obtain practical experience under the guidance of an experienced judge in a series of national competitions before applying for an ISSF judge’s license.
J.5.6.2	The Organizer should publish details of the course as early as possible. The announcement should include all details about dates, times, accommodation, meals, local transportation, costs and any further important information.
J.5.6.3	Every Participant must be given a registration form to be filled in with his name, address and date of birth. The Participant must further indicate his experience and any special knowledge he has acquired during competitions in which he acted as an official, and the qualifications obtained in his National Federation.
J.5.6.4	In no case should an open invitation be sent out, nor should inexperienced people be allowed to Participate.
J.5.7	Participants who complete the course satisfactorily, including knowledge of J.1 to J.5 will be issued with an ISSF Diploma. ISSF certificates of attendance will not be issued, but Organizers are encouraged to provide host Federation certificates of attendance for those not achieving the Diploma standard.
J.5.8	The ISSF Diploma does not guarantee the issue of an ISSF license; it only certifies the satisfactory completion of the official course.
J.5.9	At the end of the course the instructor must write and submit a short report with a list of those attending. It should also indicate the names of those completing the course to the standard required for an ISSF license (i.e. those having received a Diploma), stating for which disciplines the Diploma is valid. Where possible the report should indicate whether the individuals already possess sufficient practical experience, or whether further practical experience appears appropriate before an ISSF license is granted. The report must be sent as soon as possible to the ISSF Headquarters for the attention of the ISSF Secretary General and the Chairman of the ISSF Judges' Committee.
J.5.10	Official recognition of judges’ courses will be decided by the Secretary General of the ISSF and the Chairman of the ISSF Judges' Committee.
J.5.11	National Shooting Federations are encouraged to run courses for National judges' licenses, but these cannot be recognized as official ISSF courses. Courses run by National Shooting Federations for already qualified national judges can be approved, but applications must be made under the terms and conditions of J.5.1 above.
J.5.12	National Federations not having available suitably qualified ISSF "A" license holders to conduct official ISSF Courses under the terms of J.5.1 above are encouraged to request assistance from the Secretary General of the ISSF or the Chairman of the ISSF Judges' Committee.
J.5.13	National Federations not having suitably qualified ISSF license holders to conduct courses for National judges' licenses are also encouraged to request assistance from the Secretary General of the ISSF or the Chairman of the ISSF Judges' Committee.
J.5.14	For Electronic Scoring Target Courses (see J.9.0)
J.6.0	Upgrading
J.6.1	The basis for upgrading of a "B" judge's license to an "A" judge's license is the experience acquired as judge over a number of years:
J.6.1.1	A minimum period of four (4) years recent experience is required as an active "B" license holder;
	And
J.6.1.2	The applicant must have officiated in at least five (5) international competitions which have a minimum of five (5) Participating nations. On at least two occasions the applicant must have been a Jury Member, and exceptionally, on special request, the other three occasions must have been as a Chief Range Officer, Chief Referee, Chief of Classification or Chief of Equipment Control. An upgrading based only on the required period of time, but on inadequate further experience at championships, will not be granted.
J.6.2	National Federations must submit the application on the official form (see forms at the end of the Guidelines) with two (2) recent passport photos 3 cm x 2 cm of the applicant.
J.6.3	The Judges' Committee of the ISSF will decide on the upgrading applications at its annual meeting. Accordingly, applications for upgrading should be made to the ISSF Headquarters no later than 31 December annually.
J.6.4	When an upgrading is approved, the ISSF Headquarters will issue a new ISSF license and this will be sent to the National Federation in the same way as for other license issues.
J.6.5	A fee of Swiss Francs (CHF) 20.00 is charged for an upgrading.
J.6.6	Additional disciplines will only be added to an existing license (“A” or “B”) after the recent satisfactory completion of an official ISSF course for that discipline. Applications will be dealt with in the same way as applications for new licenses (as opposed to renewals) by the ISSF Judges' Committee at its annual meeting. Those approved will receive new licenses. Where an “A” license is already held, the additional discipline will be added at that level.
J.7.0	Special Arrangements for the Issuance of Judge's Licenses
J.7.1	In exceptional cases an ISSF judges' license can be issued or upgraded when it is necessary to ensure there are sufficient qualified personnel at events where world records may be established. For example when a change of venue is necessary, or when any change of a previously assigned judge is necessary.
J.7.2	The National Federation must submit an application in accordance with paragraphs J.2.5. and J.6.2.
J.7.3	The applications will be considered and decided by the Secretary General of the ISSF together with the Chairman of the ISSF Judges' Committee. The issuance procedure is as described in rule J.2.9. and J.2.10.
J.7.4	Licenses issued in this way will be included in the list of license holders. At the next meeting of the ISSF Judges' Committee the Chairman must inform the Committee of any licenses granted in this way.
J.7.5	Licenses issued in this way must only be given to well qualified individuals. The usual standards must be met; only the administrative process is changed.
J.8.0	Assignment of Judges
J.8.1	The nomination and designation of the Jury Members is made according to the Constitution of the ISSF.
J.8.1.1	The Secretary General and the Chairman of the Judges Committee of the ISSF will nominate to the Executive Committee the required number of Jury Members and substitutes for World Championships, Olympic Games and for World Cups in accordance with the Guidelines for World Cups. The Executive Committee will designate the Juries.
J.8.1.2	The Continental and Regional Confederations recognized by the ISSF should nominate and designate the Jury Members for their Championships and Games.
J.8.1.3	The Organizing Committee, or the Organizing Federation, is responsible for the designation of Jury Members for other international championships and national championships held under the ISSF Rules.
J.8.2	All Jury Members must hold the applicable current ISSF judges' license for all competitions where world records may be established. At all other championships held under the ISSF Rules, the Jury Members should hold valid ISSF judges’ licenses.
J.8.3	In championships where world records may be established, Team Leaders, Officials and shooters must not be members of a Jury. If possible one Member, but not usually the Chairman, must be from the National Federation organizing the championships. These host nation judges must be approved by the ISSF.
J.8.4	In all other championships, team officials should not be members of a Jury.
J.8.5	It is desirable that senior officials Participating in the organizing of major competitions should possess an appropriate ISSF license. Particular tasks and duties for which ISSF Licenses should be held are: Chief Range Officer, Chief of Classification, Chief Referee, Chief of Equipment Control.
J.8.6	Range Officers, Classification Officers, Referees and Equipment Control Officers should also be encouraged to undertake official training with a view to obtaining ISSF licenses.
J.8.7	Officials undertaking the tasks listed in J.8.5 and J.8.6 must not be members of any Juries at the same championships.
J.9.0	Electronic Scoring Target Courses
J.9.1	Background
J.9.1.1