How does one become an ISU technical specialist/judge?

[sampaguita]

Does one need to have had a competitive skating career? Do you need to be able to do doubles/triples? Do you need to be a coach? And why don't I see competitive skaters being ISU judges/technical specialists?

[AgnesNitt]

Most of the technical specialists/judges are former competitive skaters. You may not recognize their names because they're from the 70's and 80s

[nicklaszlo]

Reading the rule, in brief it looks like the steps are

-Service at competitions
-Seminar attendance
-Nomination by your national federation
-Examination
-Appointment

Qualifications must also be maintained. 

It starts on page 40 here:
http://static.isu.org/media/79156/2012_specialregulations_technicalrules_singleandpair_icedance.pdf

[nicklaszlo]

And why don't I see competitive skaters being ISU judges/technical specialists?

Because there are so many officials:

http://static.isu.org/media/105974/1756-list-officials-fs-id-sys-2012-2013.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/sports/olympics/who-were-the-figure-skating-judges.html

The technical specialist for the olympic ladies free was a world medalist, for example.  David Santee was also an official and world medalist.

I noticed Jason Dungjen as an example of a coach who is a Singles/Pairs technical specialist.  I doubt he judges many competitions, since he cannot judge his own skaters.

[blue111moon]

If you go to local competitions, you might see more familiar skaters on tech panels and as judges. But it takes several years to get through the levels to a point where the national federation would consider nominating an official for ISU appointment.  I would expect that most of the Big Name Current Competitors are too busy skating and training to take the time to train as an official. 

The USFS website has information on how to become an official, if you want to get an idea of how these people started.

[icedancer]

I noticed Jason Dungjen as an example of a coach who is a Singles/Pairs technical specialist.  I doubt he judges many competitions, since he cannot judge his own skaters.

In the U.S. a coach cannot be a judge and coach.  It is seen as a conflict of interest.  BUT a coach can be a technical specialist.

To become an International Judge - at least here in the U.S. is a very rigorous process.  You have to be a National judge and then I'm not sure how they get there - I know when I started judging (test judge) that I would have no chance to become an International Judge because I was too old when I started judging (I was about 50).  I thought it was blatant agism but of course this is International and the ISU doesn't really care about things like agism, etc.

I do know one International judge personally and she is AMAZING - really really really really knows her stuff.  I don't think she was on any of the panels at this Olympics because she really doesn't want to be travelling that much anymore.