USTA Officiating
Officials play an integral role at tournaments of all levels, from local community events to professional matches, focusing on fair play and sportsmanship. Give back to the game of tennis by becoming a USTA Certified Official.
Our Vision
To create the ultimate tennis experience through best-in-class officiating.
Our Mission
To provide an inclusive experience that inspires Officials to develop and grow tennis for all Americans.
Become an Official
Give back and help grow the game of tennis through Officiating. Officials play an integral role at tournaments at all levels from local community events to professional events by ensuring fair play and sportsmanship. They serve as Roving Umpire, Line Umpire, Referee or Chair Umpire. Give back to the game of tennis by becoming a USTA Certified Official.
Steps to get certified
Click each number to see the steps
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Create an OfficialsFirst account, the USTA Officiating Database. Begin HERE
Complete the Introduction to Officiating, Rules and Regulations, Level 1 Roving Umpire, and Level 2 Roving Umpire courses. Click here to access these courses.
Be in compliance with the USTA Safe Play Program. To get started, go to www.usta.com/safeplay and click on “Get Safe Play Approved”. Log into your USTA account or create an account with the same email address that the Officiating Department has on file for you. The three steps you must complete are the annual SafeSport training, review and accept the USTA Safe Play Policy, and complete the background screen application.
Be a USTA member. To become a member click here.
Submit to the USTA a physician's or optometrist's statement attesting that the official has 20/20 vision, either corrected or uncorrected in each eye. The Vision Form can be downloaded on OfficialsFirst and then uploaded to your account once completed. Please note that the Vision Form must be dated within the past 12 months.
Contact your Section Chairperson to set up two days of on-court training/shadowing. After the two days, you will show your knowledge of basic themes described in the training checklist. Following the successful completion of the checklist, you will be certified! USTA Certified Official will be added to your OfficialsFirst account, and you will gain access to events on OfficialsFirst.
Welcome Kit
Newly certified Officials will receive a welcome gift in the mail from the USTA Officiating Department. This gift includes on-court supplies, such as a tape measure, Friend at Court, flipping coin, pen, pocket notebook, as well as a uniform polo and hat to get them started on their officiating path.
Officiating Disciplines
Have jurisdiction over one or more courts. During a Tournament, a Roving Umpire is responsible for ensuring the courts are ready to play, maintaining proper warm-up and rest-period times, resolving scoring disputes and controlling spectators.
Referees are responsible for making sure that the competition is fair and played under ITF rules of tennis and the USTA Regulations. Referees supervise all aspects of play including the conduct of everyone in the competition: Players, Coaches, Parents, Spectators, Officials, Groundskeepers, and Administrative crew.
Chair Umpires are responsible for conducting one match in accordance with the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA Regulations during the match, the chair umpire is responsible for calling lines when there are no line umpires, call the score, record points, games and sets on the scorecard, and make the final decision on every question of fact in the match.
Line Umpires are responsible for calling all shots directed to the lines assigned to them.
Chief Umpires are responsible for scheduling umpires and organizing court assignments and logistics at some tournaments, the referee will delegate the chief umpire to appoint and (when necessary) replace or reassign the different umpires.
Still have questions about officiating? Contact the USTA Officiating Department for more information.
Tennis Rules & Regulations
Learn more about USTA regulations from resources like Friend at Court, the book of USTA rules and regulations. It's recommended reading for players, parents, coaches, teachers, tournament directors, league officials, and anyone who wants a finer understanding of the game.
Tennis Rules & Regulations
Learn more about USTA regulations from resources like Friend at Court, the book of USTA rules and regulations. It's recommended reading for players, parents, coaches, teachers, tournament directors, league officials, and anyone who wants a finer understanding of the game.
Helpful Links
Innovators, Team Members, Educators, Role Models...
Albert Ton
From collegiate matches in Southern California to the biggest stages at the US Open, Albert Ton has had experience as an official on all kinds of tennis courts—all before his 20th birthday.
Allyson Houston
After serving her country with distinction in the U.S. Army, Allyson Houston now serves the game of tennis through officiating.
Colbert 'Dee' Murphy
The son of a tennis-playing father who grew up to be a teaching professional in Texas, Colbert ‘Dee’ Murphy never thought he’d end up working as an official in his favorite sport.
Kris Jaeger-Helton
One of the USTA’s more experienced officials is also one of Northeastern University’s most decorated faculty members, and Beverly ‘Kris’ Jaeger-Helton uses her unique skillset to give back to others.
- Official 1
- Official 2
- Official 3
- Official 4
Umpire Awards
The Umpire Awards are presented during the USTA Officiating Appreciation Week in November. The four national awards for excellence and service to officiating are the Nicholas E. Powell Award, Woodie Walker C.A.R.E. Award, Jr. McGovern Award, and John T. McGovern Award.
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