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How To Become A Tennis Official
With the rapid growth of tennis, the need for certified USTA Officials has never been greater, and there’s never been a better time to get certified! Join the team of 2,400 USTA Certified Officials nationwide to deliver the ultimate tennis experience through officiating.
Tennis is a year-round sport played across the country, allowing Officials to create flexible schedules at a variety of levels, including the junior, adult, wheelchair, collegiate, and professional levels. Tennis Officials have a responsibility to ensure a positive experience for the sport.
With exciting perks—including free NASO membership—there’s never been a better time to get involved!
Ready to Become a Tennis Official?
Why real officials love what they do
Things To Consider
Physical Demands
The majority of USTA (United States Tennis Association) events are community-level events that have Roving Umpires and Referees working them. Roving Umpires oversee one or more courts and their hours may vary depending on the size of the event. Referees are responsible for overseeing all aspects of play, ensuring competition is played fairly. Additional disciplines in tennis officiating include Chair Umpires, Line Umpires, and Chief Umpires. Chair Umpires are responsible for conducting one match in accordance with the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA regulations. They may work a few matches a day depending on the size of the event. Line Umpires are responsible for calling all shots directed at their assigned lines. Chief Umpires are responsible for organizing logistics for officials and assigning them.
Mental Demands
No matter the level of play, tennis is a fast-paced game, and officials are expected to analyze situations, interpret rules and make decisions, often in a split second. Officials may work a variety of hours at an event so a critical component is mental preparation.
Training
As part of required and optional education resources, the USTA provides a mix of online and in-person training offered at no cost. The online training can be done at your own pace.
Initial Training:
- Online courses to gain certification
- On-court practical training with an experienced Official
Additional Learning Opportunities:
- Online training courses
- Live and recorded webinars
- In-person training opportunities are hosted throughout the country for all officiating disciplines
Benefits of Being a USTA Official
- All newly certified Officials receive a special Welcome Kit containing a uniform polo, uniform hat, Friend at Court, and other items to help them succeed as an Official.
- All Officials receive a $75 credit for the USTA Officiating Uniform Store
- Free NASO membership
- Yearly updated Rulebooks mailed to you:
- Friend at Court
- Scenarios and Interpretations
- Techniques and Procedures
*Welcome Kit items.
Equipment
At minimum an official must have:
- USTA Uniform shirt*
- USTA Uniform hat*
- Sneakers
- Khaki shorts/pants
- Stopwatch*
- Flipping coin*
- Tape measure*
- Friend at Court (rulebook)*
- Notebook*
- Pen*
- Court bag
Match/Daily fees
USTA Officials may be paid at either a daily or hourly rate, depending on the location. Rates can vary widely depending on the level of the event and the location where you are working.
Certification
Community Pathway
Upon completion of the USTA Officiating certification, officials generally begin their journey at junior, adult and/or wheelchair events. The majority of these events are assigned at the local level and can range from one-day events to over a week-long events. Your local section chairperson will be in contact with you to assist with assignments.
College
Once you are certified as a USTA Official, you can become certified through the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) for collegiate officiating. The ITA oversees officiating at the NCAA (DI, DII & DII), NAIA and junior college levels. The annual requirements include paying a membership fee, passing an open book test, and attending a webinar covering rules specific to collegiate competition. For more information, please visit www.wearecollegetennis.com/officials or email officials@itatennis.com.
Professional Pathway
Opportunities at the professional level may become available once you have gained adequate experience and proficiency in the rules. Professional tennis is governed by the ATP, WTA and ITF. The USTA pathway helps tennis Officials develop toward obtaining certifications at this level.
Get Involved
To begin your journey or find out more information on how to become a USTA official, go to usta.com/startofficiating or email officiating@usta.com.
National Association of Sports Officials
You may also consider joining NASO, the only nation-wide officials support organization. As a member-driven community; NASO exists to unite, celebrate, develop and protect all officials so that they can reach their goals and take pride in their contributions to the benefits that sports provide society.
Learn more about NASO at NASO.org.
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