Becoming an Umpire
Acquiring the set of skills necessary to perform the duties of a National Umpire not only enhances your competence on the rink of play, but also provides an additional and important benefit to your club.

If you are interested in becoming an umpire, read the Policies and Procedures Manual of the National Umpires Club for a detailed explanation of the requirements and duties of not only umpires, but the National Umpire-in-Chief and the Head Division Umpires.
After understanding the position of Umpire you can take the next steps:
  • Submit the Application to the National Umpire’s Club  (linked above)
  • You will be provided the open-book test to complete on your own schedule and return at your convenience
  • Successful applicants will then be directed to their Head Division Umpire to schedule the Oral and Practical Skills tests
NOTE:  Details for the Open-book, Practical, and Oral tests are included in the Policies and Procedures.  The results of the open-book test are confidential.
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If you would like more information, if you have other questions, or if you would like to gain the competencies necessary for the skills test, contact [email protected]
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Head Division Umpires
Central Division
Robert Behncke
Northeast Division
Patrick Duffy
Northwest Division
Alexis Vanden Bos
Pacific Intermountain Division
Ginger Harris
Southeast Division
Bud Ricucci
South Central Division
T​BD (NUIC Acting)​
Southwest Division
Melanie Vizenor

Measuring Resources
If you are an umpire and/or a bowler who wants to learn about and/or improve your measuring and umpiring skills, use the World Bowls' website, it is an excellent resource. 

​Once there, at the bottom right corner of the page, you will see a box, highlighted in blue.  There are several pages of recommended procedures, with videos, and the suggested equipment to use.
The laws governing the sport of bowls are established by World Bowls. The current laws in effect are in the Laws of the Sport of Bowls, Crystal Mark Fourth Edition. The deadline to adopt the Fourth Edition was April 1, 2023.
Bowls USA is in compliance with this deadline.

As a Member National Authority (i.e., Bowls USA, Bowls Australia, Bowls Botswana, Bowls Malaysia, etc.), when World Bowls revises and publishes revisions to the laws, Bowls USA prints and provides the current edition to its members.

The latest edition of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls can be downloaded here.  

To update your copy of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls to reflect our approved Domestic Regulations, click or tap here. The revisions reflect, for example, our use of 21 meters versus 23 meters for the length of a legally delivered jack.

If you are not a member of Bowls USA and you would like to obtain a copy of our printed edition, join Bowls USA through your club. The cost is $25. 

UmpStumpers
Check out UmpStumpers, a fun, interactive and informative way to learn more about the Laws of the Sport of  Bowls!
A new challenge  is available each month  Click or Tap here!
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