Judges Competency Framework

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL JUDGES

All judges must be registered on the Kennel Club’s Find A Judge / JEP platform otherwise you CANNOT judge.

To be eligible to judge at all from 1st January 2026 you MUST be registered and showing on the RKC ‘Find a Judge’ site at a minimum of JEP Level 1.

Level 1
• Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs
• Conformation and Movement seminar
• Two days stewarding
• Requirements of a Dog Show Judge seminar and pass associated exam
• Pass the Points of a Dog assessment

Before accepting any appointment, please ensure you meet the appropriate criteria AND are correctly registered on the Kennel Club’s FAJ / JEP platform.

This is no-one’s responsibility except YOURS ALONE!

Even if you are already on a Breed Club judging List, this will not count after 31st December 2025 and you MUST be registered on the JEP platform.

The platform is very easy to use and makes it much easier to keep track of where you are up to especially if you are judging multiple breeds.

When you reach Level 2 you can then begin your mentoring journey – please contact me and I am always happy to get this arranged for you where possible

Level 2:
• Attended a BAD and passed the MCE
• Completed the online ring stewarding seminar & quiz
• Completed the online critique writing seminar & quiz

Requirements to meet this level

* Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs

* Attend a Conformation and Movement seminar hosted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer

* Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments

* Attend a Requirements of a Dog Show Judge seminar and pass associated exam (either in person or online via Kennel Club Academy, exam effective from 1 January 2024)

* Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer (effective from 1 January 2024)

Eligibility to judge

Up to three classes (four if one is a puppy class) for any breed at limited or open shows

Requirements to meet this level

First breed

* Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for the respective breed

* View ring stewarding seminar and take online quiz

* Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz

Subsequent breeds

* Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for each breed

Note: Not mandatory for group judge for breeds in the group that they are not approved at level 4, but attendance strongly recommended

Eligibility to judge

* Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs)

* Any variety classes, groups and best in show at limited shows

Requirements to meet this level

* Undergo minimum of three mentoring sessions with a minimum of 12 months between first and third session

* Be observed judging at ANY breed club show, breed supported entry show or championship show without CCs once mentoring sessions have been undertaken (provided the minimum of dogs required are present (currenlt 12 for Boxers)

* Complete remaining 10 full-day stewarding appointments (onetime qualification)

* Have owned/bred a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club Stud Book – save for exceptional circumstances (one-time qualification for first breed in which a judge awards CCs)

* Attended the appropriate sub-group field trial/open gundog working test for first gundog breed or ring procedure at licensed shows (German Shepherd Dog education programme) online exam (one-time qualification)

* Have achieved the relevant hands-on experience in line with the stated requirements for the relevant breed:
Tier 5 - 90 dogs (Boxers)

The following types of event may be used to claim hands-on experience numbers:
Breed classes at Championship shows without CCs
Breed classes at Open shows
Breed classes at Limited shows
Mock/training classes at breed club shows (practical judging days) – only one occasion can be claimed and a maximum of five dogs
Dogs judged at Kennel Club approved assessments, maximum of five dogs – only one occasion and a maximum of five dogs - cannot be used in addition to mock classes
Dogs judged at inter or intra-club single-breed matches
Special Award Classes at Breed Club shows
Special Event Classes at Breed Club shows (ensure noted under 'other judging experience’)
Supported entry shows
Dogs judged at single Breed Dog of the Year Competitions
Overseas appointments

Dogs judged at the following types of event may NOT be included in a judge’s hands-on experience:
AVNSC and variety classes
At fun days
Conjointly with other judges at events where the candidate judge is not required to give independent judgment on the dogs
Any JEP mentoring sessions

Eligibility to judge

* Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs)

* Any variety classes groups and best in show at limited shows

A judge must have judged a minimum number of dogs to register at Level 3
(Boxers Stud Band Tier 5)

Current KC Criteria 160 / Amended KC Criteria 180
Criteria for progressing under JEP to Level 3 90

Breed Specific Assessment

Similar to current assessments conducted at Breed Club level but is a final requirement and organised by the KC
5 dogs to be judged - may be stand-alone or at a show - this is a Level 3 requirement to progress to Level 4 (CC Judge)