USA Table Tennis Umpire Certification

There are four levels of table tennis umpires: USATT examines and qualifies Club, Regional and National Umpires. USATT then nominates qualified candidates to the ITTF to take the International Umpire exam which is normally given in the Spring of even-numbered years.

All exams are updated following any changes in the laws and regulations. Upon applying to take the exam and paying the appropriate fee, the candidate will be sent all appropriate references.

Please note before reviewing certifications: Umpires and candidates must be a) current USATT members ($25.00), which may be purchased through Simply Compete; b) must be SafeSport compliant (details listed below certifications); and c) submit umpire exam fees to the USATT PayPal account: admin@usatt.org.

The revisions listed below are effective August 5, 2024.

1. $20 fee.
2. Open-book exam.
3. 75% score or better on the written exam.
4. Reference: The Laws of Table Tennis as published by ITTF including USATT modifications.
5. May be taken by mail, e-mail or online.
6. After payment of the exam fee, USATT will mail or e-mail the exam and the ITTF and USATT Rules to the candidate.
7. Reexamination after failing exam - Minimum of 1 month and pay $15 fee.
8. Reexamination after second failure of exam – Minimum of 3 months and pay $15 fee.

1. $30 fee
2. Timed, closed book exam of one hour.
3. Must have been a Club Umpire for a minimum of nine months.
4. Must have Referees validate match record indicating umpiring at least 30 matches including at least 6 doubles matches in sanctioned tournaments.
1. No more than 6 matches may be recorded at one tournament except for National tournaments, where 8 may be recorded.
5. 75% score or better on the written exam.
6. References: Laws of Table Tennis (ITTF), Regulations for International Competition (ITTF), and the Handbook for Match Officials (ITTF).
7. Reexamination after failing exam - Minimum of 3 months and pay $25 fee.
8. Reexamination after second failure of exam – Minimum of six months and pay $25 fee.

1. No fee
2. Timed, closed-book exam under the supervision of a National or International Umpire (given only at the US Open or US Nationals).
3. Oral exam following the written exam given by three International or National Umpires. During this phase the candidate can earn 1/2 credit for each question s/he missed on the written test and answers satisfactorily on the oral exam.
4. Must have been a Regional Umpire for a minimum of nine months.
5. Must have Referees validate match record indicating umpiring at least 30 matches including at least 6 doubles matches in sanctioned tournaments. At least half of these matches must be:
6. Semi-final or finals of a Championship, Men's or Women's Singles or Doubles or Finals of a Junior, Senior, or rating event for men over 2000 or women over 1750 rating.
1. No more than 6 matches may be recorded at one tournament except for National tournaments, where 8 may be recorded.
7. Must be evaluated by the Umpire and Referee Committee (URC) at a National level tournament and receive the recommendation of the Committee Evaluator as to practical competency.
8. 75% score on the written exam, adjusted to 85% after the oral exam.
9. References: Laws of Table Tennis (ITTF), Regulations for International Competition (ITTF), Handbook for Match Officials (ITTF).
10. Reexamination after failing exam - Minimum of 1 year.

1. Fee paid by USATT.
2. Must meet current ITTF requirements when notified exam is being given.
3. Must be an active umpire and report activity to the URC.
4. Must be nominated by USATT on recommendation of URC.

To take the SafeSport certification course, log in or create your USATT account on Simply Compete. Click the "Safe Sport Education" tab on your dashboard to access the SafeSport training courses. Refresher courses may be taken for Safe Sport certification renewal.

Submit $35.00 to the USATT PayPal account: admin@usatt.org and contact USATT after payment is completed. A background check link will be activated on your USATT account membership dashboard. *** Umpire and Referee certification exam fees may also be submitted to the USATT PayPal Account.

All USATT Certified Officials must complete mandatory SafeSport Certification and a Background Check.

More Details

For further information on SafeSport Compliance and Officials Certification, contact tina.ren@usatt.org.