Judges Education

All AOS Student, Associate and Accredited judges are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of education and participate in a minimum of eight judgings (including shows) per year as per the Handbook on Judging. Students and Associate level judges should understandably expect to expend sufficient effort through self study, center education and judging to master the skills outlined in the Core Curriculum and advance to the next level.

There is much to know before advancing to the level of accredited judge, and the AOS judging program recognizes that not all judges have the same amount of time to spend with their busy schedules. Everyone’s timeline is not the same, and education is, in large part, self-paced with guidance provided by the judging center education coordinator and mentors/advisors. The average time to become an Associate judge, at which point your scores count for orchids and displays, is about three years.

Students and Associates should submit the bi-annual Accomplishment Form to their Education Coordinator. The form is used as a reference during personnel progress reviews that take place at judging-center business meetings, bi-annually, or as needed for consideration for promotion.

The following are some education options and resources. Judges should always check with their judging center Education Coordinator (EC) for additional education opportunities that may be available and are local to their own center.

Online Education Opportunities

Self-paced resources
Attached document includes links to judging webinars that count for judging education credits.

Events, Shows and Symposiums

AOS monthly judgings, and AOS judged symposiums and shows outside an assigned judging center count, and are valuable opportunities to learn. Seminar talks often count towards education. Speak with your judging Center EC to confirm.

Ribbon Judging

Ribbon judging is a service provided by AOS judges at AOS sanctioned shows

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