TLDR
If you’re searching how to become an MTG judge, the path is simple: find an LGS, find a mentor, judge real events, then test.
In the US/Canada (as of February 2026), Level 1 certification runs through Judge Foundry: you’ll need experience, an endorsement/review, membership dues, and a passing exam score.
The Level 1 exam is in-person, closed-book, untimed, 25 questions, and you need 70% to pass.
Being a good judge is not just rules knowledge. It’s calm communication, logistics, and “keep the night moving” energy.
So you want to become a Magic judge.
This is usually sparked by one of three life events:
You answered one too many “does that work like that?” questions and felt something awaken inside you.
You watched an FNM spiral into chaos because nobody wanted to be the adult.
You enjoy rules documents the way other people enjoy sunlight. (We all cope differently.)
Either way, if you’re here because you typed how to become an MTG judge into the internet, you’re in the right place. Level 1 judging is mostly about running local events well, resolving common issues fairly, and helping your community have fun without turning every rules question into a courtroom drama.
What an MTG Judge Actually Does
At Level 1, you’re usually working Regular Rules Enforcement Level (REL) events. Think FNM, Prerelease, casual store events, and “we’re running this like an event, but we still want people to come back next week.”
Your real job is:
Answer rules questions clearly (and admit when you need 30 seconds to verify).
Fix mistakes fairly without derailing the whole match.
Keep the event moving: announcements, rounds, time, pairings, basic scorekeeping.
Defuse tension when someone is salty, confused, or convinced the stack is a myth.
Protect the vibe while still stepping in on serious problems.
Judging at Regular REL explicitly leans toward education and keeping the game going, not maximum punishment. You are aiming for “welcoming and fair,” not “gotcha.” You still have authority, but you’re not there to win an argument. You’re there to end it.
Judge Foundry and “Level 1” in 2026 (What’s Actually Required)
If you’re in the United States or Canada, Judge Foundry is the main certification and membership path for judges (and it’s mentorship-based, which is good, because nobody becomes a judge by reading PDFs in a dark room alone).
The official Level 1 requirements boil down to:
Get an endorsement from a tournament organizer (or an L3+ judge).
Run at least one event (Draft, Sealed, or Constructed).
Do announcements (opening and round announcements).
Get an endorsement review from an L2+ judge covering specific judging and event skills.
Become a Judge Foundry member (dues).
Pass the Level 1 exam (70%+, with a cooldown if you miss).
That list is intentionally practical. Judge programs are trying to certify “can you run a real event without it catching fire,” not “can you recite rule 704 in order like a wizard doing slam poetry.”
The 4-Skill Framework (Rules Are Only One Quarter of the Job)
If you want a clean mental model, here it is:
1) Rules Fundamentals (Not “Everything”)
You need strong basics: casting, priority, triggers, combat, layers at a basic level, state-based actions, common weird interactions. You do not need to be a walking Comprehensive Rules PDF.
2) Policy for Real Humans
At Level 1, your policy focus is Regular REL. That means understanding the philosophy and the “Serious Problems” line. You’re learning when to educate, when to rewind, when to leave things alone, and when to escalate.
3) Event Logistics
Announcements, round turnover, pairings, time extensions, product distribution for Prerelease, and using the store’s event software. If you can’t run the room, your rules knowledge won’t save you.
4) People Skills
This is the hidden boss fight.
You’ll talk to:
brand-new players who are nervous to call a judge
experienced players who are confidently wrong
tired players who are one missed trigger away from becoming a philosopher
The best judges can deliver a ruling that is firm, polite, and final without making anyone feel stupid.
How to Become an MTG Judge (Level 1), Step by Step
Here’s the practical path most people take.
1) Start at Your Local Game Store
Show up consistently. Play in events. Be helpful. Then talk to staff or the organizer and say you’re interested in learning to judge.
Pro tip: If your store runs larger events (RCQs, Prereleases), that’s often when judges are around and mentorship is easiest to find.
2) Make a JudgeApps Account
JudgeApps is where judges communicate, apply for events, and manage a lot of community infrastructure. Judge Foundry also uses it as part of the process.
3) Find a Mentor (Ideally L2+)
A mentor is your shortcut around months of “I think I’m doing this right?” uncertainty.
They’ll help you:
learn how to handle calls in real time
understand Regular REL philosophy
get reps on event flow and announcements
prep for your interview and exam
If you don’t know any judges locally, JudgeApps has tools like a judge map to help you find people nearby.
4) Build a Relationship with a Tournament Organizer
This part matters more than people want to admit.
A judge needs somewhere to judge, and Level 1 is heavily tied to local store events. You’ll need a tournament organizer willing to endorse you. This does not have to be a dramatic letter of recommendation. It can be as simple as: “Yes, I’d have them help with events here.”
5) Judge Real Events (Yes, Before You’re Certified)
You’ll need practical experience:
Run at least one event (Draft, Sealed, or Constructed).
Give opening and round announcements at an event.
Get comfortable with the flow: start round, handle calls, post results, start next round.
You can often play while judging at casual events if the organizer is fine with it. Just be realistic about your bandwidth. If you’re both playing and judging, you’re doing two jobs, and one of them involves being interrupted.
6) Get an Endorsement Review (The “Can You Actually Do This?” Check)
After you’ve judged some events, your mentor will do a certification interview and review. They’ll evaluate practical competencies like:
confidence under pressure
understanding casual play philosophy
recognizing potential advantage when things go wrong
handling serious problems appropriately
making a plan for product distribution at a Prerelease
mature, professional conduct
Notice what’s missing: “recite the entire rules engine from memory.” The exam checks rules knowledge. The review checks whether you’re ready to be trusted in public.
7) Join Judge Foundry (Membership Dues)
To take the Level 1 exam, you’ll need to be a Judge Foundry member and pay dues (and your first month is prorated).
8) Take the Level 1 Exam
Key details (because these always get asked):
In-person
Closed-book
Untimed
25 questions (rules + Regular REL policy)
70% to pass
If you fail, there’s a 45-day waiting period before retesting
Afterward, your mentor typically reviews missed questions with you so you learn, not just suffer.
How to Study Without Reading 300 Pages Like It’s a Cozy Novel
Yes, you should know where the Comprehensive Rules are. No, you should not “start at page 1” unless you’re trying to punish yourself for past deckbuilding sins.
Study in layers:
Rules you should be solid on
Turn structure and priority
Casting spells and activating abilities
Triggered abilities (including missed triggers basics)
Combat steps and damage
State-based actions
Replacement effects vs triggers
Copy effects basics
Hidden information and common “oops” moments (extra draw, seen card, etc.)
Policy you should be comfortable with (L1 focus)
Regular REL philosophy: fix, educate, keep the event fun and moving
What counts as a Serious Problem, and what to do when you see one
Core tournament procedure basics (MTR fundamentals that show up even at casual events)
And when you’re unsure, practice the most important judge sentence:
“Let’s pause for a moment while I confirm the correct ruling.”
It buys you time and builds trust. Confidence is not the same thing as speed.
Two Scripts You’ll Use Constantly
Steal these. Judges steal templates. It’s tradition.
Opening announcements (FNM / casual event)
Welcome players and state the format.
Remind players to call a judge if anything weird happens.
Point out bathroom/water/store rules.
Set expectations on round time and reporting results.
Mention sportsmanship expectations in one sentence.
The judge call micro-script
“What’s the question?”
“Walk me through what happened, starting from the last known clear point.”
Ask the opponent to confirm any disputed facts.
Ruling + fix, stated plainly.
“Any questions before you continue?”
Add time if needed.
You’re not there to interrogate. You’re there to establish facts, apply rules/policy, and move the game forward.
The Proxy Question (Because You Will Get Asked)
At some point, someone will ask if their printed card is okay.
Here’s the clean judge answer:
In sanctioned events, players generally must use authorized, genuine Magic cards, and they cannot make their own proxies. A Head Judge can issue a proxy only in specific situations defined in tournament policy (most commonly damage during the event).
In unsanctioned casual play, it’s up to the organizer or playgroup.
That’s it. No lecture. No courtroom monologue. Just policy and context.
If you want a friendlier version for casual Commander night, it becomes: “Ask the organizer, have a quick Rule 0 chat, and keep your proxies readable.”
Keeping Your Certification Active (Maintenance Matters)
Certification is not “one test and you’re done forever.”
Judge Foundry has annual maintenance requirements for Level 1 that include a rules refresh option, participation requirements, and staying current on dues. The specifics can change, so always check the current requirements when your renewal window approaches.
FAQs
Do I need to be an elite player to become a judge?
No. You need to understand the rules and policy well enough to run events fairly. Plenty of great judges are not grinders. They’re organizers, teachers, and calm adults with a stopwatch.
How long does it take to become a Level 1 judge?
Fastest case is weeks, most people take a couple months. It depends on how often your store runs events, how quickly you can get reps, and when your mentor can schedule the exam.
Is judging mostly rules knowledge?
Surprisingly, no. Rules knowledge is mandatory, but communication and event flow are what make or break your night.
What documents should I study for Level 1?
Comprehensive Rules fundamentals, plus tournament policy focused on Regular REL and core tournament procedure. The Judge Foundry Level 1 study guide tells you exactly which policy docs matter.
Can I become a judge if I don’t have an LGS nearby?
It’s harder, but there are paths involving endorsements from senior judges at larger events. You’ll still need real event experience somewhere.