Columbus, OH — The United States Trotting Association, in conjunction with the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP), is pleased to announce the 2025 Racing Officials Accreditation Program Harness School.
The school will be hosted by Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio, from Monday (June 23) through Monday (June 30). The program is open to qualified applicants and deadline for submission of applications and payment will be Thursday (May 15).
The 60-hour educational seminar will be conducted under the guidelines of ROAP, and participants will receive instructional requirements necessary to become an accredited harness racing official. Most jurisdictions require ROAP accreditation to become a steward or judge.
The comprehensive school provides a formal way to cover both basic, day-to-day responsibilities and also technical subjects including medication/drug testing and administrative law/hearings.
The seminar will be taught by nationally recognized judges/stewards, veterinarians, attorneys and other instructors. There will also be opportunities to shadow currently licensed judges and other racing officials to gain a hands-on perspective of the duties of judges/stewards and the inner workings of a racetrack.
After completion of the school, applicants may become a ROAP Accredited Harness Racing Official upon satisfactory completion of a total of five examinations consisting of an oral examination, a racing video analysis examination, written examination on medication and drug testing, legal and regulatory issues and general rules and regulations.
Each student must also further meet the experience criteria required for accreditation by ROAP. For further information regarding the accreditation process click here.
The fee for this program is $725. Students are responsible for their own transportation and lodging while attending the school. The USTA has reserved a limited block of rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus Scioto Downs at a reasonable rate.
To apply for the program, complete the online application on the ROAP website via this link.
Once an application is received, ROAP staff will contact the applicant with further information.
For more information, contact Michele Kopiec at michele.kopiec@ustrotting.com or call 877.800.8782, ext. 3294.