28th March 2025

Following a good meeting concerning the BEC and Judges, this information may help to clarify the situation concerning judges and their eligibility to judge. This applies to everyone!
For those prospective judges, and those who have judged, please note, that as from January 1st 2026, unless you are registered via the JEP (Judges Education Programme) and REGISTERED on the KC Portal, FIND A JUDGE, you are no longer eligible to officiate!
Breed Club and Council Judges lists will no longer be mandatory, as anyone who can judge will be found on the FAJ system. This means that Clubs no longer have to produce a Club listing but may continue to hold their own lists especially for those whom the Club supports for appointments at Supported Shows but there will be no need to have B & C lists as these people, if interested will have Already registered via the JEP/FAJ.
The current “Grandfather” application to judge with CC status also closes on 31st December this year and no further applications will be accepted.
So, what does this mean for you, I hear you ask. Allow me to try to summarise and explain and if anyone needs further information, please contact your Breed Education Co-Ordinator (details below)  or look up on the KC/JEP website.
All current CC Approved Judges have been transferred to Level 4 on FAJ, along with listings of all other breeds they are either approved for or are working through different levels. So ,a judge may be L4 for a breed, L1, L2 or L3 for other breeds – go check it out, and it is free to register and is available to anyone wishing to find judges for their shows!
Those aspiring judges, must be listed on the JEP Platform on KC Find A Judge and this is also part of the Show Regulations. Education to attain all levels is progressive, starting at Level 1 through to Level 4 and can be completed in a logical sequence. Details can be found on the relevant web site
Once a candidate reaches Level 2, they may apply to be Mentored, currently the minimum number of Mentor Sessions required is 3 but candidates may ask, and receive as many as they require to ensure they feel proficient.
Please remember that Mentoring can only be arranged by the BEC and with a KC Approved Mentor. Currently, our Breed, Collies Rough, are looking for many more Mentors and Observers, so if you meet the requirement and are happy to help, please contact the BEC and you will probably gain approval to help / advise all new Judges.
Once Mentoring is complete, an Observation can take place where the candidate is assessed, this is then followed by a final Breed Specific Assessment carried out by the RKC
Please remember to register on the KC FAJ portal and up date your progress as achieved.
Summary of Levels – Full details on KC Web site or on request to BEC
Level 1  Judges must have a proven interest of min of 5 years interest, 2 full days of Stewarding, Attended and Passed the Requirements of a Dog Show Judge ; Attended a KC Conformation & Movement Seminar and Passed the Points of a Dog Assessment held by a KC Trainer.
Now able to judge up to 3 classes of any breed at Limited/Open Shows (4 classes if a puppy class scheduled)
Level 2 Judges, those who have completed attendance at a BAD,(Breed Appreciation Day for the breed they wish to judge); Passed the relevant MCE (Multi-Choice Exam); Completed the KC Online Critique Writing Seminar and On-Line Stewarding Seminar. Both of the two latter On Line Seminars may also be completed at Level 1
 Now eligible to judge unlimited number of classes of the breed(s) for which you are registered at Level 2 at Open Shows and Championship Shows without CCs • All classes at Limited Shows
 Level 3 Judges, Having completed L1 and L2, now require
To attain JEP Level 3 Judge (Awaiting Final Assessment) Breed Specific you must have:
Undertaken a minimum of three successful mentoring sessions within that breed over at least 12 months successfully • Be observed judging a breed club show/supported entry show/Ch Show without CCs • Judged a set number of dogs • Stewarded a total of 12 times (this includes the 2 times at Level 1) • Have bred and/or owned a minimum of 3 dogs IN THE FIRST BREED when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club Stud Book – save for exceptional circumstances. (This is a one-time qualification). Process in place to register an exception.
The Kennel Club will monitor number of people at this level and organise assessment • First assessments have been held, more are being planned • It is essential that judges register and update their progress to apply for Level 3.

SEE LATEST PRESS RELEASE HERE (PDF)

Further Information
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/jep 

Hope all this helps, do feel free to contact me!

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com