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UDE Certification Program F.A.Q.

The following F.A.Q. is intended to help future and current Judges and Tournament Organizers (T.O.) answer their questions about the Upper Deck Entertainment (UDE) Certification Program. If the content in this F.A.Q. does not answer your questions, please contact us.

Last updated: 04/12/06

The Program
  1. Why is the UDE Certification Program so important?
  2. How does the UDE Certification Program work?
  3. What Specializations exist?
  4. How can I find the details of the Specializations?
  5. Is this program available worldwide?
  6. Will the test be translated into languages other than English?

The Process
  1. How do I become a Level 1 Judge?
  2. How can I prepare for the Level 1 Judge test to ensure that I don't fail?
  3. What happens if I fail the online Level 1 Judge test?
  4. What if I don't hear back from you within one week after completing my test?
  5. How many levels exist in the program?
  6. How do I test for levels beyond Level 1 Judge?

Requirements
  1. Is there an age requirement to become a Level 1 Judge?
  2. How much does it cost to become a Level 1 Judge or to advance in level?
  3. What do I need to do to run official UDE tournaments?
  4. Do I actually need to be certified to judge a tournament?
  5. How often do I have to judge to maintain my Specializations?
  6. How do I renew my membership?

Judging Basics
  1. How do I find tournaments to judge in my area?
  2. I judge for other games. Can I become a UDE judge?
  3. Can I be a judge at more than one store or tournament location?
  4. Can I play in a tournament and judge the tournament at the same time?
  5. Can I judge a tournament and be the official T.O. at the same event?

Rewards
  1. Do I get anything for passing a Level 1 Judge test?
  2. How do I get an official UDE judge shirt?



The Program
  1. Why is the UDE Certification Program so important?
    Players appreciate knowing that their favorite games have superior support from the company that makes them. One of UDE's primary goals is to support its games and players by producing fair and enjoyable environments in which to play. To achieve this, UDE offers opportunities to individuals who wish to train officially, test, and certify their level of skill.

  2. How does the UDE Certification Program work?
    The UDE Certification Program is unique and customizable. It identifies and differentiates several skill and knowledge levels for each individual position. In this system, judges can achieve levels of skill or knowledge in many specializations. For example, a judge who is an expert at Yu-Gi-Oh! rules can take the Yu-Gi-Oh! Rules Specialization test and become certified in that specialization. A skilled tournament organizer can take the Tournament Organizer Specialization test, which is required to run official UDE tournaments. Players who are members of demo teams can receive Demo Team Specialization certification. A specialist in Player Management who knows how do deal with players effectively can receive a Player Management Specialization.

    The system is flexible, so that each individual can specialize in his or her own area(s) of interest. People who are not interested in becoming rules experts can concentrate on tournament organization or player management. A Player Management Specialist focuses on communication, leadership, and teamwork in order to keep events running smoothly. People who want to be expert Scorekeepers can work towards increasing their level in the Scorekeeping Specialization.

  3. What Specializations exist?
    Our current plans include the following Specializations:
    • Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Rules
    • Vs. System Rules
    • Player Management
    • Scorekeeping
    • Tournament Organization
    • Demo Team


  4. How can I find the details of the Specializations?
    Details of for each Specialization will be released over the next few months. The first tests available will be for Yu-Gi-Oh! Rules Specialization, Player Management Specialization and Tournament Organizer Specialization.

  5. Is this program available worldwide?
    Yes, people all over the world are invited to enter the program.

  6. Will the test be translated into languages other than English?
    Eventually, the online Level 1 Judge test will be translated into several languages. Expect translated versions in early 2004.



The Process
  1. How do I become a Level 1 Judge?
    Level 1 Judge tests for each Specialization will be available online. You are permitted to refer to outside documents or online resources while taking the online test. If you pass the online test, you will be contacted via phone or email to verify your identity and asked a few additional skill-testing questions. Once these steps are completed, you will be officially certified and receive further information.

  2. How can I prepare for the Level 1 Judge test to ensure that I don't fail?
    Be sure to read the rulebook. That's the most important step. It's also good to keep up to date by reading fan sites and www.ude.com. Playing often and speaking with other judges about rules can also help. The Certification Page will also have links to material related to Specializations as it becomes available. If you have any specific questions about game rules, you can email our expert staff.

  3. What happens if I fail the online Level 1 Judge test?
    You are allowed to retest if you fail. Note, only one test will be accepted per week. Any retests submitted before one week waiting period ends will be ignored.

  4. What if I don't hear back from you within one week after completing my test?
    If a week passes and you still have not heard from us, please send us an email explaining your situation. Please be sure to include the following important information: full name, UDE Membership number, and which test you were taking.

  5. How many levels exist in the program?
    Each Specialization has five levels. As you progress through each Specialization, it becomes more challenging to advance. The ultimate judge will achieve Level 5 Specialization in each area. Any judge who achieves Level 5 Specialization in every area will automatically qualify for a job offer.

  6. How do I test for levels beyond Level 1 Judge?
    Only Level 1 Judge tests are offered online. Levels 2 and higher are more difficult and require an in-person interview and skill test by a higher-level judge. You will be able to test for higher levels at most UDE events, conventions, and premier tournaments. We’ll have a list of those events available online. As our program continues to grow, more certification opportunities will become available.



Requirements
  1. Is there an age requirement to become a Level 1 Judge?
    Yes, every specialization has a minimum age requirement. The link to each test shows the age restriction for that specialization.

  2. How much does it cost to become a Level 1 Judge or to advance in level?
    Nothing! There is no cost associated with receiving a Specialization level. There are also no annual fees of any kind.

  3. What do I need to do to run official UDE tournaments?
    To run an official UDE tournament, you must have at least one level in Tournament Organizer (T.O.) Specialization.

  4. Do I actually need to be certified to judge a tournament?
    No, although there are huge advantages for having official tournaments run by official judges. Players know that they are getting the best people overseeing their tournaments. Additionally, the higher level of the judges at the event, the higher the point value for that event when calculating player rankings.

  5. How often do I have to judge to maintain my Specializations?
    There is no minimum number of events you must judge to maintain your status. Staying active and keeping up on the rules helps to keep your judging skills sharp. Judges are also rewarded partially based upon their judging activity.

  6. How do I renew my membership?
    Renewal guidelines will be posted at a later date. There will be no cost to renew, but we want to ensure that your contact details are updated regularly so that we are able to reach you when needed. This simple process will take less than three minutes to complete and will be available by phone, fax, email or regular mail.



Judging Basics
  1. How do I find tournaments to judge in my area?
    An advanced tournament location system is in the works right now. It will be online in early 2004. In the meantime, talk to local players and call local stores.

  2. I judge for other games. Can I become a UDE judge?
    Yes, we encourage judges to participate in all judging programs. The more experience a judge has, the better they become. UDE judge membership is completely independent of judge programs from other companies, but you are free to participate in as many programs as you wish.

  3. Can I be a judge at more than one store or tournament location?
    Yes. Once you are a judge, you are able to judge anywhere. Of course, you should get permission from the owner at the store you want to judge.

  4. Can I play in a tournament and judge the tournament at the same time?
    No. You cannot play in a tournament and be a judge for that tournament at the same time. If you are playing in a tournament, you may not issue rulings for that tournament. Judges are free to play in any tournaments that they aren't judging.

  5. Can I judge a tournament and be the official T.O. at the same event?
    Yes, you can judge a tournament and be the official Tournament Organizer at the same time, although sometimes this is not ideal for larger tournaments.



Rewards
  1. Do I get anything for passing a Level 1 Judge test?
    Yes! You become an official UDE Level 1 Judge. Depending on the specialization achieved you can receive a number of different rewards in the mail. Judges passing rule specialization will receive official UDE membership cards and gain access to the judge mailing list. Judge membership cards are mailed quarterly. Judges passing the Tournament Organization specialization will receive the most recent version of MANTIS tournament software, the next generation of tournament operation software. All judge specializations will also be eligible to earn special rewards based on participation and the levels of your Judge Specializations. As judges advance in level, they receive better rewards.

  2. How do I get an official UDE judge shirt?
    The first time you pass the Level 2 test in any Specialization, you will be sent a free UDE judge shirt during the next rewards mailing. Reward mailings are quarterly. Your address in our system must be current. You can update your information here.


If you have questions that are not covered in this F.A.Q., please send us an email.

 
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