Judging Requirements

KCBS Judge Requirements


Requirements to become and maintain the status of a KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge (CBJ)
  1. Must be 16 years of age or older.
  2. Must take the KCBS CBJ class.
  3. Must be a member in good standing with KCBS.

KCBS Master Certified Barbeque Judge (MCBJ) Requirements
  1. You must receive 30 signatures from Contest Representatives for participating in qualifying events.
    1. Signatures should be recorded on the Certified Judge Contest Verification Record found in the CBJ manual.  Additional judge forms can be found on the kcbs.us website in your membership profile in the Judge Portal under the Judge forms.
    2. KCBS sanctioned Master Series or Backyard Series contests may receive signatures with the following exceptions:
      1. A CBJ serving in separately sanctioned contests will receive one signature for each sanctioned contest. (e.g., judging a Masters Series and a Backyard Series or a One-Meat on the same day.)
      2. A CBJ will not have their form signed for judging or volunteering for a single ancillary category (e.g., anything but, wings desserts).  However, if a contest has three or more ancillaries, a CBJ shall receive a Volunteer signature.  
    3. At least one of the 30 signatures MUST be as a volunteer.
      1. A volunteer assignment is a duty assigned by a Contest Rep within the judging area. Duties can include but are not limited to Table Captain, left-over area, turn-in area, etc.
      2. A CBJ working toward their MCBJ must have one but no more than 10 assigned Volunteer signatures with count toward the 30-signature requirement.
      3. A CBJ who works as a volunteer will receive the letter V after the Representative's signature.
  2. Cook with a team at a Master Series contest.
    1. The Certified Barbecue Judge Cook Team Verification Form should be completed by the CBJ and by the Head Cook.  The form can be found on the kcbs.us website in your membership profile in the Judge Portal under the Judge Forms.
    2. You may not judge at a contest that you are cooking with a team.
    3. It is recommended that you cook with a team prior to your 15th contest.
    4. If a CBJ is also a competitor (has a cook team or is a member of a cook team), this will count as cooking with a team.  The CBJ should fill out both sections of the form.
  3. Copies of the completed CBJ Team Verification Form and Certified Judge Contest Verification Record with Representative signatures must be emailed to membership@kcbs.us or mailed to KCBS for verification.  Do not send the original completed documents.
  4. After the forms have been received and verified, KCBS will email the CBJ an online KCBS Master Test to be completed and passed.
  5. The CBJ must receive a score of 90 or higher out of 100 on the MCBJ test.
  6. To maintain MCBJ status, one must remain a member in good standing with KCBS.

KCBS Certified Table Captain Requirements
  1. Must be a KCBS member in good standing.
  2. Must be 16 years of age or older.
  3. Must take the KCBS CTC class.
  4. One does not have to be a CBJ to be a CTC.

KCBS Master CBJ (100+) Requirements
  1. Judge must be a Master CBJ in good standing for each contest that counts towards 100 contests. 
  2. Signatures should be recorded on the Certified Judge Contest Verification Form 31-100 found on the kcbs.us website in your membership profile in the Judge Portal under the Judge Forms. 
    1. For contests that occurred before June 1, 2013, a CBJ may list the Representative's name associated with a contest, if known on the form.
    2. For contests that occur after June 1, 2013, a CBJ must receive a signature from a contest Representative.
    3. Each line on the form must be completed.
    4. Judging or volunteering as determined by the KCBS Rep will count towards 100 signatures.
  3. It is solely up to the CBJ to keep track of their signatures on the Contest Verification Form.  The KCBS will not verify a CBJ's contests not listed on the Contest Verification Form by using the Judges Portal or Scorecard program. It is the responsibility of the CBJ to keep track of their own verification form.
  4. A copy of the completed Contest Verification Form 31-100 with Representative signatures must be emailed to membership@kcbs.us or mailed to KCBS for verification.  Do not mail original completed form.
  5. After the forms have been received and verified, KCBS will send a 100+ CBJ pin and rocker.  A link to purchase a 100+ badge will be emailed.