Managed by the International Florist Organisation (Florint), the JudgCert (Judges’ Certification) programme represents a groundbreaking shift in the professionalisation of floral art evaluation. Developed in close collaboration with the European education network Flornet—and supported by European Union grants including the Leonardo da Vinci and Erasmus+ initiatives—the system was specifically designed to replace subjective, legacy judging with a transparent, standardised, and internationally recognised methodology.
Structure and Progression of the Programme At the heart of the JudgCert system is a strict, progressive qualification hierarchy that separates competition judging from educational assessment. Candidates must thoroughly master the national tiers before they are permitted to advance to international certification. The four levels are structured by difficulty as follows:
- 1
NCAFD (National Certified Assessor in Floristry Design):
The foundational tier, certifying professionals to evaluate and grade students within national training programmes, colleges, and trade schools.
- 2
NCJFD (National Certified Judge in Floristry Design):
The mandatory benchmark for judging local and national floral design contests, testing both personal and professional competencies under competition conditions.
- 3
ICAFD (International Certified Assessor in Floristry Design):
An advanced qualification for senior educators, accrediting them to conduct standardised assessments within international educational frameworks.
- 4
ICJFD (International Certified Judge in Floristry Design):
The pinnacle tier of the programme, reserved for elite professionals qualified to adjudicate prestigious global competitions.
All assessments are organised by accredited education experts and licensed national florist associations. Once gained, a JudgCert certificate is valid for five years and can only be renewed by presenting formal proof of ongoing judging experience to Florint.
Core Aims of the JudgCert Programme The system operates with four primary objectives designed to elevate the global floristry industry:
- 1
Professionalisation and Transparency
The programme aims to transform "floristry judge" into an official professional title. It replaces old, informal judging courses with a rigorous assessment that guarantees a judge has the specific skills, attitudes, and professional distance required to evaluate high-level work fairly.
- 2
Mastery of the 100-Point Scoring System
The cornerstone of the programme is training judges to use Florint's International 100-Point System. This system provides a clear framework for scoring based on four main criteria: Idea, Colour, Composition, Technique.
- 3
Harmonisation of Global Standards
By establishing a common curriculum and assessment system, the programme ensures that a floral design evaluated in one country meets the same standards as those in another, and facilitates the mobility of judges across national borders for international competitions like the Europa Cup or World Cup.
- 4
Supporting Competitors
The ultimate goal is to provide competitors with the professional jury they deserve. Standardised judging ensures that contestants receive constructive, consistent feedback based on objective merit rather than personal preference.