Get to know the BJCP Website

The new BJCP website has been operational since the second half of 2021. We are working hard to make it more user friendly. There is a lot of useful information beyond just the Guidelines, for example, exam preparation, continuing education resources, how the BJCP program works, competition planning, among other things. There is something for every level of judges, but in this first installment let’s explore a few of the sections a new judge will find more helpful.

Accessing Your Judge Record (Member Portal)

If you access from a computer, there is a button to the right of the homepage with the text Judge Login which can be saved as a bookmark for easy access (see arrow #1 in the image above). From a mobile device, you’ll need to scroll down to find the same button.

After taking the tasting exam, you will be emailed a judge ID and password to access the judging portal. Click the login button then enter your judge ID and password to log in. If you have any problem accessing, please send an email to [email protected]. Information to new judges: Your BJCP ID is a different number than your online entrance exam, you will receive a proper ID after taking the Judging Exam (the tasting one).

The main section on the portal is your Judge Record. You will find your personal information, your experience points, your online exam certificate and the judging exam results, including the RTP (Report To Participant).

The next section under the title Change of Address allows you to update your personal and contact information. We encourage you to keep it up to date.

A dedicated link for Voting in the elections is next. You are part of an organization and we appreciate your participation in the next elections.

And finally, there are two sections for ordering goods from the BJCP: one for Badges and the other for Sensory Training Kits with a special discount. Each judge is allotted one discounted Siebel kit a year, this is an excellent way to maintain sensory perception between competitions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

At the very top of the website there is a menu with quick access to the FAQs  (see arrow #2 in the first image). This menu is only available for the desktop version of the website. Once you click it, all the available frequently asked questions are displayed. There is no special order to them, but you can search specific topics using your web browser Find tool. Many of the questions people have about the BJCP can be answered here. We encourage you to check them before asking a question to the Facebook group or sending an email. Chances are that someone already asked that before; let’s review a few examples:

• How soon do I get my BJCP number?
• How do I sign up for an exam?
• I have a problem, question, complaint, etc. Whom do I contact?
• What if I judged at a competition and didn’t get points or the points are wrong?
• How do I advance in rank?
• What happens to judges who are not active?
• How do I make change suggestions to help improve the BJCP Style Guidelines?
• How do I set up a BJCP-like organization in my country?

Checking out the Exam Calendar

Under the Exam & Certification section of the website you can find the Exam Calendar. On a computer, access from the link at the left hand side of the homepage or from the main slider (see arrow #3 in the first image). It’s still hosted on the legacy version of the website but completely operational. There you will find a worldwide schedule for beer, mead and cider Tasting Exams, along with the Written exams.

Each exam has an administrator you should contact to sign up or to ask any related question. Exams have limited seats available. If you have interest, contact the exam administrator as soon as possible. Take note that exams have an associated fee.

You can use your web browser Find tool to search for topics like: beer / mead / cider / written, city, state, country (for exams held outside the USA) or the exam administrator name if you know it.

Remember that to take a beer, mead or cider Tasting Exam, you’ll need to pass the corresponding BJCP online entrance exam first or be an existing BJCP judge, and in order to be a candidate for the Written Exam, you must have at least 10 judging experience points and meet ONE of the following criteria:

• A score of at least 80% on the BJCP Beer Judging Examination (Tasting Exam)
• A score of at least 80% on the written portion of the BJCP Beer Legacy Examination
• Be a current BJCP National Judge (achieved under any system)

Finally, we have a policy that prohibits an examinee from taking another exam of the same type while prior results are pending.

Education and Training Directorate Resources

The purpose of the Education and Training Directorate (ETD) is to develop, recognize, and encourage worthwhile continuing education opportunities for the BJCP membership. You can find valuable information on the main BJCP website under the Education & Training section and on the BJCP Training Portal (hosted on an external service). To access the courses, login using your BJCP ID and password.

There are ETD points available for participants (organizers and attendees), but you need to be a BJCP member at the time to receive points (i.e.: you can’t claim retroactive ETD points).

BJCP Education & Training Section

Here you can find useful guides to conduct several BJCP training programs targeted to aspiring and existing judges as well. These programs are outlines that should be reviewed and adjusted if necessary taking in consideration specific constraints. Even if you don’t plan to conduct a course, you could follow these guides to reinforce and expand your knowledge.

• Beer Judge Training & Study Program
• Mead Judge Training & Study Program
• Studying for the Cider Exam

Besides the Programs, you can find a Library with additional resources, the BJCP Color Guide for beers and information about Malt Sensory Training and the Siebel Sensory Kits.

And last but not least, this section of the website provides a detailed list of faults and its possible solutions for Beer, Mead and Cider.

BJCP Training Portal

This site provides online education for members, allowing you to further your knowledge and enhance your judging skills regardless of location and at your own pace. The Training Portal was designed to be improved over time with more material, which can be submitted by any member willing to contribute. At the moment, we have the following sections available:

• ETD Course Submission
• The Malt Sensory Training (for all members)
• The Exam Grader Training Program (for National or higher level judges)

As you probably read it on the 2021 Annual Report, the Education and Training Directorate is working on more resources. Stay tuned!