Types of Courses & Curriculum - Learn to be an MMA Official

Please select a course and purchase here: Sign up here and just fill out this form, then proccess your payment here.

3 Types of Courses: 

Certification Information for Referees: ($2750.00 for a 3-Day Course)

This course is extremely difficult and NOT recommended for those not familiar with MMA. In addition, participants should be in good physical condition.

As a prerequisite to the class, please familiarize yourself with all of the techniques listed as you will be required to identify and name the takedowns, submissions and positions that are being demonstrated during testing.

There are four sections of testing for certification; you must pass all four sections with a 90% or better (in each section) in order to be certified.

The first section is a technique test where you will watch a video of techinques that you must be able to identify and understand.

The second test is a written test, which covers everything learned during the in-classroom sessions along with the current Unified Rules.

The third test is a practical application test where you will referee a mock fight (with professional fighters) and be critiqued on your cage/ring control, knowledge and implementation of the rules, application of fundamental skills (such as movement and positioning) along with many other fight day requirements.

The fourth and final test is a situational test and is administered at the same time as the practical application test. You will be required to verbally explain a series of questions in a mock locker room situation (example: a fighter asking you to explain to them a certain rule or foul) and/or verbally explain and demonstrate how a certain technique is applied and properly executed by a fighter and then how a referee should properly interpret and stop the technique.

COMMAND has a stringent passing standard due to the nature of work being performed. In addition to your responsibility to uphold the professionalism of the Athletic Commissions, your competencies not only affect a promoter’s reputation but most importantly, a fighter’s livelihood and possibly even their life.

All participants who pass the course will be required to read and sign a "Code of Ethics" policy. Achieving a passing score through the course will allow your name to be put on a certification list that is available to all Athletic Commissions. It needs to be clearly understood that passing the course does not entitle you to a license from any State Athletic Commission or any guarantee of work as a MMA referee or judge.


Certification Information for Judges: ($2500.000 for a 2-Day Course)

There are three sections of testing for certification; you must pass all three sections with a 90% or better (in each section) in order to be certified.

The first section is a technique test where you will watch a video with all of the techniques listed on this site.

The second test is a written test, which covers everything you learned during the in-classroom sessions along with the current Unified Rules.

For the final test, you will be required to watch a five (5) round fight, score each round, and then provide justification for your scores.

COMMAND has a stringent passing standard due to the nature of work being performed. In addition to your responsibility to uphold the professionalism of Athletic Commissions, your competencies not only affect a promoter’s reputation but most importantly, a fighter’s livelihood.

All participants who pass the course will be required to read and sign a "Code of Ethics" policy. Achieving a passing score through the course will allow your name to be put on a certification list that is available to all Athletic Commissions. It needs to be clearly understood that passing the course does not entitle you to a license from any State Athletic Commission or any guarantee of work as a MMA referee or judge.


Hybrid - Both Judge & Referee Combined: ($3000.00 for a 3-Day Course)

This course is extremely difficult and NOT recommend for those unfamiliar with MMA. This course is a combination of both Referee and Judge and requires extreme mental focus. Please see above for details on each. You will receive certifications for both Judge and Referee with this course. 

Techniques You Must Know for Both Certification Courses and the Hybrid Course: Techniques


All 3 of these courses are taught by industry experts: Big John McCarthy, Jerin Valel, Jason Herzog, and Ron McCarthy.