Become an IJA Judge

Judge Membership is available to experts in the art of bathing, grooming and styling man's best friend.

Are you a specialist in the art of bathing, grooming and styling dogs?
Have you participated in grooming competitions in IJA Level 3 Expert Division and won many awards and titles? Are you a past groom team member?
Are you currently a grooming competition judge?
Have you judged grooming competitions previously?
Are you a professional handler showing dogs in the conformation ring?
Are you a conformation judge?
Are you a certifier?
Are you an advanced practical skills instructor?

Are you interested in joining the select group of IJA Judges?
Do you want to join IJA in creating dream teams around the globe to participate in world competitions?
Do you want to be a member of the most progressive judging association in the world?

Invitation to Join IJA

The IJA recognizes experienced judges as well as individuals with excellent skills and knowledge by sending a special invitation to join IJA and be a member of the most progressive educational team in the world. Judges or industry experts who receive this invitation can submit their application without going through the approval process.

About

IJA is an international judging association dedicated to training judges worldwide to be the best of the best in the art of judging dog grooming competitions. IJA has created a progressive, continuing education system for all of its judges with online and onsite training sessions conducted around the globe.

IJA ONTOUR conducts educational competitions with certifications with workshops with the elite team of IJA Judges to raise the standards of grooming worldwide.

IJA ONTOUR oversees the IJA Groom Team Sanctioned Qualification Competitions for each country to find the best of the best to create the ultimate dream teams.

IJA Judges participate in competition forums to encourage new competitors to enter the ring and to answer questions for current competitors. IJA Judges evaluate and place competitors in levels and tiers to award titles, ranks and placements.

Qualifications

The applicant must be well educated in the art of dog bathing, grooming and styling all pure breeds and possess three or more of the titles listed below to apply for the prestigious position of an IJA Judge.

Expert Dog Bather, Groomer and Stylist
Advanced Level 3 Dog Grooming Contest Competitor
Conformation Handler and/or Exhibitor
Grooming Contest Judge
Conformation Judge with Excellent Grooming Experience
Practical Skills Instructor Certified to Teach Advanced Training
Certifier for Certification Associations

Members Only Benefits

Numbered Certificate of Membership displayed in the IJA Virtual Registrar
Profile listed on the IJA website under Judge Members
Access to profile to keep your data current with IJA.
Access to Judge's Manual and Forum
Rankings registered and recorded in the IJA Registrar and displayed on the IJA website.
Participate in IJA Committees as an IJA Judge Member
Voting privileges for IJA Annual Achievement Awards
Evaluations, Scorer and Training Opportunities World Wide
Professional's Profile and Rankings listed on IJAonline.com.
Opportunities to Judge World Wide
Discount to online and onsite education forums.

How to Apply

Current Judges or individuals interested in becoming an IJA Judge must first complete the application procedures and then complete the online and onsite training sessions on how to judge an IJA Sanctioned Competition.

IJA Judges are not permitted to compete in the competition arena. If an IJA Judge enters the competition ring, the IJA Judge will be placed as inactive for the remainder of the competition year.

If an IJA Judge qualifies for a Level 4 Competition after applying for an IJA Judge position, the IJA Judge can complete his or her obligations and compete in the competition without being placed as inactive. IJA Judge cannot participate in Level 4 Judging for the competition year.