Details on becoming an AFRMA Official Judge

Taken from the AFRMA Bylaws.

Official Judge Requirements

Adopted by the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association

1. Any member in good standing, at least 18 years of age, wishing to become a judge may obtain an official application for training from the Secretary-Treasurer. The completed application should then be returned to the Secretary-Treasurer to be presented at the next Board of Directors general meeting for approval. If the application is denied, a written letter from the Secretary-Treasurer will be sent to the applicant stating the reason for denial. Upon completion of the required conditions, the name will be added to the list of Approved Judges.
2. All Judges, upon approval, must have at least two (2) current consecutive years of practical breeding experience of rats or mice, have exhibited in at least one-half of the shows in the past two (2) years, and have been a member of AFRMA for the same two (2) year period. Judges need to have the experience as breeders/exhibitors, and be thoroughly knowledgeable about the standards of all type of rats or mice; are expected to have bred and exhibited rats or mice of quality and should possess a good eye which is necessary to evaluate the competition; the manner in which an applicant’s rats or mice are housed and cared for is pertinent. The Judge Trainee must be a trained clerk and have clerked at two (2) or more shows under different judges.
3. The approved Judge Trainee must attend one (1) Judge’s training session, a show, a second Judge’s training session, a show, a third Judge’s training session, and apprentice judge with an Approved Judge at a minimum of three (3) shows before officially judging a show. The Judge Trainee must complete the training two (2) years after the first training session attended. The Judge Trainee must show a good knowledge of the Standards for the animal he is training for. At the first show where the Judge Trainee is an Official Judge, an Approved experienced judge shall sit-in to offer help and advice where needed.
4. All Approved Judges must be members in good standing. If their membership lapses for more than six (6) months at any time, upon reacceptance they shall be required to attend a Review Training Session to be updated on the Standards. They shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors once a year. The Board of Directors with majority vote, may revoke judge’s privileges, if cause is sufficient. A written statement and reason shall be sent to the person in question.
5. Guest judges should have a full working knowledge of AFRMA Standards. Guest judges to be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
6. Any member wishing to be a Pet Judge must notify the Board, be competent to handle a rat or mouse, and be at least 17 years of age.