The USTA licenses officials in the following categories: Presiding Judge, Associate Judge, Patrol Judge, Paddock Judge, Identifier, Starter, Race Secretary, Clerk of the Course, Charter, and Program Director. If you do not see the answer to your question below please contact TC Lane. He can be reached at 877-800-USTA ext. 3203.

For more information on how to obtain each license please read below:

Presiding Judge

• Minimum of 2 years experience as a licensed Associate Judge
• Receive a written recommendation from a USTA licensed Presiding Judge that you have worked for.
• Satisfactory completion of the required exam

• Minimum of 2 years experience involving 75 racing days per year as a USTA licensed Official in a lesser category such as Patrol Judge, Paddock Judge, Clerk of the Course, Race Secretary, or Starter.
• Completion of the University of Louisville Stewards/Judges Accreditation School in lieu of 2 years experience
• Please note: this license will be a restricted license and is only issued upon verification of employment. The restriction will be lifted after completion of one year of employment and a written recommendation from the licensed official that you have worked for.
• For information and dates on this school please call 502-852-7617

Starter’s License (Pari-mutuel)

• Satisfactory completion of the required exam and completed application submitted to the USTA
• At least one year experience of driving the starting gate and schooling horses
• Current license as Fair Starter and/or a letter from a licensed Pari-mutuel Starter verifying your qualifications to operate the starting gate
• Satisfactorily start at least 60 qualifying races under the supervision of a licensed Starter and with the approval of the Presiding Judge
• The Presiding Judge and Starter must provide a favorable recommendation
• Once the recommendation has been submitted you are allowed to start selected Pari-mutuel races with the licensed starter in the gate.
• At least 30 selected Pari-mutuel races starts must be satisfactorily completed before the license can be issued.

Starter’s License (Fair)

• Satisfactory completion of the required exam and completed application submitted to the USTA
• At least one year experience of driving the starting gate and schooling horses
• Letter from a licensed Pari-mutuel Starter verifying your qualifications to operate the starting gate

Program Director

• You must have at least one year’s experience as an Assistant Program Director/Charter
• We will need a written recommendation from the Program Director that you worked with verifying your qualifications.
• Satisfactorily complete the required exam

Race Secretary

• Satisfactory completion of the required exam and completed application submitted to the USTA
• You must have at 2 years experience working as an Assistant Race Secretary working under a licensed Race Secretary. This work experience is needed before the exam can be taken.
• We will need a written recommendation from the Race Secretary and Presiding Judge

Patrol Judge, Paddock Judge, Identifier, Clerk of Course, and Charter

• Satisfactory completion of the required exam and completed application submitted to the USTA

Are you interested in attending a School or Seminar?

Clerk of the Course and Charter School

• Generally conducted each year and last 4 days
• Format covers USTA forms and how to complete them and the duties and responsibilities of the respective positions as well as hands on charting experience.
• Applications are accepted 3 months prior to the scheduling of the school. Efforts are made to accommodate everyone that applies.
• Schools are conducted in late May/ early June. Applications can be requested from the USTA in March.
• Examinations are administered at the end of the school
• There is no fee to attend this school, however, you will be responsible for travel and lodging expenses. Lunch is provided.
• For more information or to request an application please contact TC Lane. He can be reached at 877-800-USTA ext. 3203.

• Seminars are conducted throughout the year and generally last one day.
• Format includes a review of rule changes, procedures, and general discussions on racing matters
• Open to all officials and other interested parties
• Exams may be administered at the end of the seminar
• For more information on the location or date of the next seminar please contact your local Harness Horsemen’s Association.

• Applications are available in late February/early March
• Participants are selected by a review committee with a final selection after a personal interview.
• This 7 week program involves 5 days of class work at the USTA offices in Columbus, OH. Six weeks of shadowing follows at a track of our discretion.
• Individuals may be eligible to take the exam for an Associate Judges license at the end of the 7 week program.
• For more information please contact TC Lane. He can be reached at 877-800-USTA ext 3203.

University of Louisville/University of Arizona Accreditation School

• 60 hour course that covers procedures used during a race meeting.
• For more information please call 502-852-7617 (UL) or 520-621-5660 (UA)

Please note: There is currently not a school for Race Secretaries.

Here is some additional information that may help in obtaining an Officials License through the USTA:

• The USTA places many officials, however, employment is not guaranteed. Each Racing Commission and/or Race Track hire their own Officials and the length of employment is by individual contract.
• Completion of the Clark of the Course and Charter school is not required to obtain a license. It is, however, strongly recommended.