Resources & Protocols for Officials
Rulebook
In the United States, the rules of fencing are maintained by the RC. The rules are usually updated once per year, often in the fall before the start of the USA Fencing season. These yearly changes often incorporate changes in the international rules of fencing, which are maintained by the Federation International d’Escrime (FIE). All rules changes proposed by the RC must be approved by the USA Fencing Board of Directors, which usually occurs at their annual meeting in September.
The USA Fencing rules differ in places from the international rules of fencing. Referees who work internationally should be intimately familiar with the FIE rules as well as the differences between the international rules and the U.S. rules.
At the 2019 FIE Congress, the following modifications were made to the FIE rules, which took effect on January 1, 2020:
Questions about the rules should be directed to the Rules Committee.
Officials Documents and Forms
2024-25 Domestic Expense Form: Full Time
2024-25 Domestic Expense Form: Part Time
2024-25 International Expense Form
Minor Officials Medical Treatment Authorization and Consent Form
Minor Officials Travel Authorization Forms
FIE and EFC License Application
USA Fencing Officials’ Contract (2024-2025 season)
Definitions and Examples of Part-Time and Full-Time Work for Referees
Mask Designs
Fencers may submit pictures of designs on their mask for prior approval at USA Fencing tournaments to the RC Rules Committee, RCRulesandExams@refereescommission.org. Any approved mask designs will be posted below. When submitting a mask design, please include these five views: full front, left side, right side, top, rear. Masks not listed below will be approved at the sole discretion of the head referee at the tournament.
Mask designs that have been approved for use in FIE competitions are approved for use in USA Fencing competitions.
Season End Referee Usage Summaries
Find them hereNational Tournament Referee Usage Reports
Find them hereUSA Fencing Referee Development YouTube
You can view the USA Fencing Referee Delopment YouTube Page below, these videos are served as a learning purpose with examples:
https://www.youtube.com/@USAFencingRefereeDevelopment/videos
USA Fencing Tournament Officials Support Policy
Endure Mentality
FenceSafe
File a report
Referees' Commission Policies
- Harassment Policy
- Code of Ethics (updated July 2022)
- Referee Workplace Code of Conduct (updated July 2022)
- Referee Commission Complaint and Hearing Procedures (Updated August 2024)
Update for 2022-23 Season
The following email was sent to referees on July 29, 2022:
Hi [first name],
We hope you’re enjoying your summer and taking some time to recharge your batteries ahead of what is shaping up to be another incredible fencing season.
On that note, we’re reaching out to share that the Referees’ Commission has some new policies to announce for the 2022-23 season. You can find them (and other key forms) outlined on this page and below. Please review the policies carefully.
You’re also invited to a Zoom meeting to discuss these changes, learn more about the rationale behind them and ask any questions you might have.
The meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Aug. 1. Find Zoom details at the end of this email.
Below you’ll read about:
- Referee Ratings System Change
- Minor Hiring Policy
- Referee Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics
- Referee Travel Policy
- Zoom Meeting to Discuss Changes
1. Referee Ratings System Change
The Referees’ Commission has realigned referee ratings to match requirements for local, regional and national events. Moving away from the current ratings of P for having passed exams in a particular weapon, and the 10 – 1 scale — with the lower number representing the higher level of the referee — the new rating scale is:
- P – Passed the appropriate exams for that weapon
- L2 – Beginning referee working at local level events
- L1 – Referee with demonstrated competency to work higher level local events
- R2 – Referee with demonstrated competency to work at regional level events
- R1 – Referee with demonstrated competency to work higher levels at regional events
- N2 – Referee with demonstrated competency to work national Level events
- N1 – Referee with demonstrated competency to work highest level national events
Note: R1 rated referees are eligible for selection to referee at national events, depending on tournament needs.
N2 and N1 ratings will be awarded during the annual Referees’ Commission meeting.
Changes to the referee ratings system also impact eligibility criteria for Certified Referee Observers (CROs) and Certified Referee Instructors (CRIs). Under the revised system, a CRO must either be a multi-weapon referee with an N2 (or higher) in two weapons or an N1 in a single weapon and must have a minimum of an R1 in any weapon in which they are conducting referee observations. CROs may award referee ratings to an R1 level; however, must hold a rating at least one level above the rating that they are awarding in each weapon. Under the revised system, a CRI must be a multi-weapon referee with an N1 in at least two weapons and must have a minimum of an R1 in any weapon in which they are conducting referee observations. CRIs may award referee ratings to an R1 level; however, must hold a rating at least one level above the rating that they are awarding in each weapon. Additionally, CRIs may make recommendations to Domestic Assignments for R1-rated referees to begin working at national events. CRIs may also provide feedback to the Referees’ Commission nominating referees for consideration for promotion to N2. Other eligibility criteria and responsibilities for CROs and CRIs remain unchanged.
Regional event bid packages will require an N2 head referee.
There will be an automatic decay of referee ratings. If a referee has not worked to their level over the course of four full seasons, their rating will reduce by one level. (i.e., an N2 becomes an R1 if over the course of four full seasons from the awarding of the N2 rating the referee does not renew that rating) Ratings of R2, L1 and L2 will not decay. A rating of a P is good for one full season at the end of which, if the potential referee has not been observed and awarded at least an L2 rating, the individual will have to start over again with the seminar and exam process.
Notes:
- Please be patient while we update our website, bid packets and referee availability form with this new information.
- The RC will review current referees and convert their ratings to the new ratings system before the season begins.
2. Minor Hiring Policy
The Referees’ Commission has adopted a new minor hiring policy:
Minor referees will no longer be hired for national events. Keeping in line with USOPC and U.S. Center for SafeSport guidelines in conjunction with logistic challenges, no referee will be hired for national events who is not at least 18 years of age and fully SafeSport and background check compliant as of the first date of competition for the respective tournament. This requirement applies to full-time, part-time and walk-on referees.
Referees at regional events must be at least 13 years of age on the date of the event.
This new age requirement policy does not apply to local events, and there is no age requirement to attend referee certification seminars necessary to become a certified referee.
Minimum age to referee by tournament level
Tournament Level | Minimum Age |
National | 18 years |
Regional | 13 years |
Local | No minimum |
3. Referee Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics
The Referees’ Commission has adopted a new Referee Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for the 2022-2023 season and beyond.
The following links are to the new Referee Code of Conduct and updated Referee Code of Ethics:
4. Referee Travel Policy
For the 2022-23 national events season, USA Fencing will be partnering again with Cain Travel on our flight bookings for all tournament officials. Whenever possible, officials should book their flight tickets with Cain Travel. If you are hired for an event and have not created a profile with Cain in order to book and manage your reservations, please email nationalevents@usafencing.org to receive information on how to set up your profile.
If an official is not able to book their flight to a national tournament with Cain Travel for any reason, they MUST contact the National Office for approval to book their ticket on their own BEFORE purchasing.
To receive approval to book your flight, please email nationalevents@usafencing.org and include a copy of the itinerary and price for the ticket you wish to book. If an official books a ticket for a flight without first receiving approval from the National Office, the flight will NOT be eligible for reimbursement after the event — no exceptions.
Sincerely,
USA Fencing and the Referees’ Commission
This form is to provide a mechanism for reporting grievances and complaints that arise under any of the policies adopted by the Referees' Commission.
Review the Referee Commission Complaint and Hearing Procedures
USA Fencing retains participant accident insurance which covers you as a secondary insurance for injuries sustained at USA Fencing sanctioned events, this covers you in the instance of an injury sustained in your role as an active referee.“Secondary insurance” means that this covers expenses not covered by your primary insurance, and covers you in the instance you do not have primary insurance.You can file a claim at: Participant Accident Claim Form 2025-26
Claims are processed by USA Fencing’s insurance carrier, through our insurance broker. You can expect to hear back in 28 days or quicker. You can find more information at https://www.usafencing.org/insurance and you can contact Brad Suchorski (Director of Membership, Service & Growth) for questions on insurance matters at B.Suchorski@usafencing.org
USA Fencing members, and attendees at USA Fencing sanctioned events are covered by various codes of conduct, including those of spectators. If you have an issue, you can report that at the following: https://www.usafencing.org/fencesafe-report
If the issue is one that you feel should be addressed immediately and you are onsite at a tournament, please bring it to the attention of our National Office Staff at the Registration desk for national events, or the respective regional/local organizer for all other competitions so action may be taken as appropriate. For criminal activity or imminent substantial danger, please dial 911.For conduct or issues at a National tournament, Referees specifically also have a direct line provided to USA Fencing national staff to assist. Referees may speak directly to National Tournament staff at any NAC, or file their complaints in writing at the link above.
The first thing to understand is if you are unsure, use the below reporting form and it will be routed to the best group to take the case; and in addition there are times that issues cross over different areas and can be referred between them.
https://www.usafencing.org/fencesafe-report
You may hear the term “FenceSafe” - that is the overarching term for USA Fencing’s commitment to Member Safety and can cover efforts in all of the areas below as well as associated educational efforts. Our MAAPP (Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies) and Athlete Safety Policy also live in the FenceSafe Handbook.
As a general guide, however:Grievance and Disciplinary Committee (G&DC) - Is the default jurisdiction for USA Fencing issues, and internal disputes will be addressed by the G&DC unless another body has been given jurisdiction in specific types of cases..Referee Commission Ethics Committee (RCEC) - The RCEC generally deals with issues pertaining to the Referees’ Code of Ethics and the Referees’ Workplace Code of Conduct. Click here to file a report. Where conduct rises to a wider code of conduct violation, the RCEC has the right to refer cases to the G&DC described above, and if a referee is claimed to be involved in conduct beyond their specific role as a referee, or if individuals outside of the referee cadre are involved, the matter will be resolved by the G&DC.
US Center for SafeSport - Regardless of an accused individual’s role, the US Center for SafeSport has exclusive jurisdiction over matters of sexual abuse and has discretionary jurisdiction over matters that pertain to emotional and/or physical abuse. Where a case is turned down by the US Center for SafeSport, it is assumed by the G&DC.US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) - Regardless of an accused individual’s role, the US Anti-Doping Agency has exclusive jurisdiction with respect to matters pertaining to alleged anti-doping rule violations.US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) - The USOPC is the oversight body for USA Fencing, which is an organizational member of the USOPC. Thus, the USOPC has jurisdiction over matters related to an NGB’s compliance with its certification requirements. The USOPC may return a case to USA Fencing, in which event, it will generally be assumed by the G&DC.
As a contractor, and an official of USA Fencing, you are covered and protected by the Directors & Officers insurance that covers USA Fencing. In addition, USA Fencing has a policy covering referees acting in line with their role as a USA Fencing referee. If you have such an issue, reach out to Jess Saxon - Director of Member Safety & Compliance as soon as possible at j.saxon@usafencing.org to discuss appropriate next steps.
Reach out to Jess Saxon - Director of Member Safety & Compliance - at j.saxon@usafencing.org
For referees, the RC Ombuds is an additional resource specifically designed to provide confidential advice and support to Referees. The current Ombuds Chair is Bobby Gibbs who can be reached at rcombudsman@refereescommission.org