I have been deluged with questions regarding certified hort. judges that do not get their audit done in the required 4 years period. The manual clearly states that judges must audit 4 hours within the 4 years following their previous audit compliance or from the year they became accredited judges, i.e. the year they finished their apprentice shows and were approved.

I was under the understanding from several previous National Judging chairs that if the judges did not complete their audit in this time they had to go through an entire school and retake the judging exam. 

I went back and reread the Judging Guidelines and could not find this requirement anywhere. So, during my term I have decided that if a judge does not complete their four hours of audit in the required 4 years they are not eligible to judge at an ARS rose show UNTIL they have completed a complete 4 hour audit. (A 2-hour audit is insufficient if they have allowed a lapse.)  Their status as a Life Judge has no effect on the requirement to audit.   I think this is a very fair compromise for everyone. 

The manual also states that District Chairs shall keep complete records of audits for all judges in their district and give the judges notification that their audit is due.  However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the judge to know when their audit is due.   All judge candidates should be educated on the responsibilities of auditing during judging school. 

If anyone has any further comments on this subject please email me and I will do my best to handle any problems.

Susan Clingenpeel
National Horticulture Judges Chair, 2007 - 2009