Achieving the Learn to Play Advanced Certification

The Learn to Play (L2P) Advanced Certification is a recognition of excellence. It signifies that a judge has not only demonstrated competence in running Learn to Play booths but has also set a standard for what a top-tier L2P experience should look like.

While Basic Certification confirms that a judge has the foundational knowledge and willingness to engage with new players, Advanced Certification is awarded to those who excel in people skills, delivery skills, and collaboration skills—the three pillars of the L2P program. This certification is not a given, and it is intentionally structured to be a meaningful distinction.

If you are reading this as someone seeking Advanced Certification, or as a staffing manager considering whether to endorse a judge for it, this article will provide clarity on what makes a strong candidate, how the process works, and how to approach the recommendation system in a way that maintains the integrity of this recognition.

Philosophy of the L2P Advanced Certification

The guiding principle behind this certification is:
“This person demonstrated skills that, for any judge who possesses them, would make that judge a top priority for my future staffing.”

This means that Advanced Certification is not meant to be a participation trophy. Not everyone will—or should—receive it after a single event. If an event leads to nearly every judge receiving a recommendation, we will likely reject all recommendations from that event or ask the recommender to narrow their selection.

To illustrate:

Basic Certification is achievable by anyone who has read the materials and put in some effort. It verifies that a judge has a foundational understanding of the L2P role.
Advanced Certification signifies that a judge stands out—someone who not only meets expectations but exceeds them, setting an example for others.

Because excellence takes time to develop, most judges will need to work at multiple L2P booths before earning Advanced Certification. This is intentional, as it creates an incentive for judges to grow and refine their skills over time rather than expecting immediate recognition.

Why Two Levels of Certification (Basic and Advanced)?

The decision to implement both Basic and Advanced L2P certifications was not made arbitrarily. It was the result of careful consideration of the challenges faced by the Learn to Play program and the broader judge community. Our goal was to create a scalable, effective, and rewarding system that serves the needs of both judges and tournament organizers.

Here are the key factors that led to this two-tiered certification system:

1. The Need for Both Hard and Soft Skill Evaluation

Judging Learn to Play booths requires both technical knowledge (“hard skills”) e interpersonal abilities (“soft skills”).
While hard skills—such as understanding the game and its mechanics—can be tested remotely through online exams, soft skills—such as charisma, adaptability, and teaching effectiveness—require in-person evaluation in a live event setting.
By separating Basic and Advanced certification, we allow judges to demonstrate their hard skills first before being assessed on soft skills in the field.

2. Scalability and Sustainability

The number of judges interested in Learn to Play continues to grow, but our resources remain limited.
A single-tier certification would create a bottleneck, requiring significant oversight for every judge entering the program.
By introducing a Basic Certification as an entry point, we enable a large number of judges to begin contributing while ensuring that Advanced Certification remains selective and meaningful.
This structure prevents the system from becoming stretched too thin or collapsing under its own weight as demand increases.

3. Serving the Needs of Organized Play

Tournament Organizers (TOs) need teams with a balanced mix of experience—a combination of seasoned experts and newcomers who are eager to learn.
A granular certification system allows TOs to staff Learn to Play booths more effectively, ensuring a mix of Advanced-certified judges leading the team while Basic-certified judges gain experience.
This fosters an environment of mentorship, where experienced judges can guide newer ones, strengthening the overall judge community.

4. Encouraging Growth and Recognition

Judges thrive when they have clear goals e opportunities for growth.
A single-tier system would mean that once a judge is certified, there is no further milestone to work toward.
The two-tier system encourages continuous development by giving judges an achievable first step (Basic) and a meaningful long-term goal (Advanced).
Recognition matters. Many judges find personal fulfillment and social validation in earning an advanced title that reflects their hard work, skill, and dedication to the community.

A Thoughtful, Adaptive System

To develop this structure, we studied how other organizations—both within and outside the TCG world—addressed similar challenges. We analyzed models from various industries and adapted proven solutions to fit the unique needs of the Flesh and Blood Learn to Play program.

The Basic and Advanced certification system is the result of this research and adaptation, ensuring that:
✅ New judges can enter the system easily while still being held to a standard.
✅ Judges with strong skills receive meaningful recognition for their excellence.
✅ Tournament organizers have reliable ways to build balanced, effective L2P teams.
✅ The program remains scalable, sustainable, and continues to grow with the game.

By maintaining high standards e ensuring that each level of certification holds real value, we can continue to provide the best Learn to Play experience possible—both for judges and for the new players they teach.

How to Earn the L2P Advanced Certification

Once you have earned your L2P Basic Certification, you will see an option in JudgeHub under “Checklists” to apply for Advanced Certification.

To apply, you will need:

A valid event where you have worked as an L2P Judge. Currently, only official L2P booths run by LSS or in direct partnership with LSS are considered valid.
A recommendation in the form of a JudgeHub review from an authorized individual.

Who Can Write a Recommendation?

A recommendation must come from someone who meets all of the following criteria:

Has a JudgeHub account
Is in good standing with LSS and Judges of Rathe
Was actively involved at the L2P booth at the selected event
Was in a leadership capacity (ideally, they were responsible for selecting the L2P team or had significant input in staffing)
Is comfortable attaching their name to their recommendation

Since not all events will have a person who fits these criteria, you may need to work multiple booths before encountering someone qualified to recommend you.

Exceptions:

To account for exceptional circumstances, two additional individuals can write recommendations:
- The LSS Judge Program Manager
- The Judges of Rathe L2P Lead
These exceptions exist as a safeguard, but they are not intended to be a default route for earning certification.

What Makes a Strong Recommendation?

In practice, a recommendation is simply a JudgeHub review from an eligible person.

Key elements of a recommendation:

It must address the three pillars of the L2P project:
1. People Skills (Creating a welcoming and engaging experience)
2. Delivery Skills (Effectively teaching and explaining game concepts)
3. Collaboration Skills (Working smoothly with fellow L2P staff)
The judge’s performance must have been deficient in none of these areas and outstanding in at least two.
The recommendation should include specific examples of actions taken by the judge that demonstrate excellence.

A good recommendation does not evaluate the judge as a person, but rather their observed performance at a specific event. Even highly skilled judges might not receive a recommendation if their performance at that particular event did not stand out.

How to Request a Recommendation

When to Ask

Before the event starts, so the person evaluating you knows what to observe.
Ensure the recommender has had the chance to read this article so they understand what qualifies as a strong recommendation.

How to Ask

Be polite and professional in your request.
Understand that “No” is a complete sentence—not everyone will receive a recommendation, and no one should feel pressured into giving one.
If you don’t receive a recommendation after one event, take it as an opportunity to ask for constructive feedback and improve for future events. Beware that providing feedback is a time, energy, and focus intensive process, and not every L2P manager is in capacity to deliver feedback. Asking to be shadowed by fellow L2P judges is a good way to increase your chances of receiving feedback.

Remember: Advanced Certification is meant to be a motivator for improvement. If you don’t get it the first time, learn from the experience and try again at another L2P booth.

Final Thoughts

The L2P Advanced Certification exists to recognize exceptional performances. It is not awarded automatically or based on attendance alone—it is earned through demonstrated excellence.

If you are striving for this certification, focus on:

✅ Being an ambassador for the game—not just explaining rules, but making new players feel welcome and excited.
✅ Teaching with clarity and patience—adjusting your explanations to suit each player’s experience level and preferences.
✅ Working collaboratively—ensuring a smooth and enjoyable L2P booth experience for both players and fellow judges.

For those evaluating candidates:

✅ Be selective—a recommendation should only be given to judges who genuinely excel.
✅ Provide specific feedback—highlight what the judge did exceptionally well.
✅ Recognize that not every good judge will receive Advanced Certification immediately—it’s okay to tell someone they need more experience.

If we uphold high standards for L2P Advanced Certification, it will remain a meaningful and valuable distinction within the Flesh and Blood community.

Good luck, and may your efforts bring new players into the game with enthusiasm and confidence!

Featured Image: Theryon, Magister of Justice by Andy Aslamov

Author

Émilien Wild

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