Q1: Why should I join PAVO?

A1: PAVO membership connects you with a national community committed to developing highly qualified volleyball officials through education, training, and mentoring. Members gain valuable professional development, networking opportunities, and access to insurance and certification benefits that many assigning entities require.

Q2: What membership options does PAVO offer to new and renewing/returning members?

A2: PAVO offers two membership types:

• REFEREE (Standard Membership) – $95.00
• LINE JUDGE-SCORER (Associate Membership) – $75.00

Eligibility Requirements, below. If you believe that you are eligible, you MUST start the 2026-27 registration process from this webpage - https://pavo.org/College-Student-Registration:

• Age: Must be 22 or younger at the time of registration and payment.
• Enrollment: Must be a full-time student.
• Email: Must register using a valid .edu email address.
• Verification: Must provide a copy of a current student ID.

Exclusive PAVO Benefit: Eligible Full-Time Student Members who register with a PAVO Standard Membership will receive a waiver of PAVO membership dues (regularly $95.00). NCAA Registration/Central Access Fees are still required ($100.00), and Affiliated Board Dues vary by Board. Eligible Full-Time Student Members who register with a PAVO Associate Membership will receive a waiver of both PAVO membership dues (regularly $75.00) and NCAA Registration/Central Hub Access Fees (regularly $45.00), and Affiliated Board Dues vary by Board.

 Printable PDF of Member Registration Flowchart 

During annual online registration, each official must select either Standard Membership (REFEREE) or Associate Membership (LINE JUDGE-SCORER). REFEREE members must register under the Standard Membership category.

Current PAVO membership is required to:

• Maintain, renew, or pursue PAVO referee, line judge, or scorer certification.
• Meet conference or assigner requirements for holding PAVO certification.
• Receive PAVO general and professional liability coverage.
• Receive PAVO participant accident coverage (secondary).
• Access all other PAVO member benefits.

Completion of the 2026–27 registration also provides:

• Full access to PAVO’s iREF training program, a comprehensive multi-level online education system for volleyball officials.
• Member-only discounted registration for:
  • NCAA Women’s Volleyball (DI/DII/DIII) and access to the NCAA Volleyball Central Hub.
  • NAIA Women’s and Men’s Volleyball and access to the NAIA Volleyball Central Hub.

Q3: What is the annual dues structure for PAVO members?

A3: The total dues collected during annual online registration depend on your officiating role (Referee or Non-Referee) and the affiliated board you join. Your total payment includes three components:

• Part I – PAVO Dues: Retained by the central association.
• Part II – NCAA Registration and Central Hub access fee: Forwarded by PAVO to RQ+ on your behalf.
• Part III – Affiliated Board Dues: Set by the board you join and forwarded to that board by PAVO.

This means:

1. A PAVO member declaring as a REFEREE Member (Standard Membership) will submit $195.00 + affiliated board dues during the 2026–27 PAVO registration process.
2. A PAVO member declaring as a LINE JUDGE-SCORER Member (Associate Membership) will submit $120.00 + affiliated board dues during the 2026–27 PAVO registration process. 

This means:

1. An Eligible PAVO member declaring as a Student REFEREE Member (Standard Membership) will submit $100.00 + Affiliated Board Dues during the 2026–27 PAVO registration process.
2. An Eligible PAVO member declaring as a Student LINE JUDGE-SCORER Member (Associate Membership) will submit $0.00 + Affiliated Board Dues during the 2026–27 PAVO registration process.

 Printable PDF of 2026-27 PAVO Membership Dues Structure 

Q3a: Are there additional discounts or fees to be aware of affecting the 2026–27 membership registration process?

A3a: Yes.

1. By default, each registered member receives the hard-copy 2026–2027 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Rules Book. Members who opt out of receiving the hard-copy book during the online registration process will receive an $8.00 discount on the NCAA Registration and Central Hub Access Fee.

For reference:

• REFEREE Member (Standard Membership) who opts out will be charged $92.00.
• LINE JUDGE-SCORER Member (Associate Membership) who opts out will be charged $37.00.

2. PAVO RuleSchool is PAVO’s in-house rules-training resource. It includes questions from the current NCAA/PAVO exams, short rule-specific quizzes, and 25- or 50-question practice exams. RuleSchool is offered at a reduced cost when purchased during annual registration. Subscription is optional.

3. What is the PAVO RuleSchool subscription model for 2026–27?

Note: Some PAVO affiliated boards provide an annual RuleSchool subscription to some or all their members. If you are unsure about your affiliated board’s policy, contact the chair of your affiliated board.

4. A 2.25% + $0.50 credit card convenience fee applies to all PAVO E-Store transactions, including annual member registration. This fee does not apply when paying by personal check. The fee is clearly displayed in your cart and at secure checkout, labeled as "Handling".

     Members wishing to pay by check should follow these steps:

1. Add all desired items to your cart.
2. Proceed to the secure checkout page and stop.
3. Note the subtotal amount before the handling fee and write a check for that amount.
4. Email pavo@pavo.org to notify PAVO of your pending order and intent to pay by check.
5. Mail the check to the PAVO Central Office PO Box 2510, Ashburn, VA 20146

Your product will be provisioned once the check is received. Please allow up to two weeks for processing.

Q3b: May I change my membership status to Referee Member (Standard Membership) from Line Judge/Scorer Member (Associate Membership) during the membership year?

A3b: Yes. Members may change from Associate Membership to Standard Membership at any point during the membership year by contacting the PAVO Central Office. An additional payment will be required to complete the change. Members should also notify the chair of their PAVO affiliated board of their intent to upgrade.

Q3c: May I change my membership status to Line Judge/Scorer Member (Associate Membership) from Referee Member (Standard Membership) during the membership year?

A3c: Not if the annual PAVO registration is completed. All associated products, services, and discounts from PAVO, NCAA, and NAIA (if selected) become available immediately, and the related costs are incurred at that time. Because of this comprehensive and expedited process - and in alignment with PAVO's Membership Dues Refund Policy - this change in membership type is not permitted (see Q10/A10).

 Printable PDF of 2026-27 PAVO Membership Type Change Rules Flowchart

Q4: I’m a renewing/returning member of PAVO. How are my dues being affected?

A4: Starting with the 2026–27 membership year, PAVO is returning to a tiered dues structure. This change aligns with the NCAA’s Officiating Reform Initiative and supports the shared goal of strengthening the collegiate volleyball officiating community across all divisions.

All members—regardless of membership type—will continue to receive a significantly discounted NCAA Registration and Central Hub access fee through PAVO’s agreement with RQ+. This fee also includes the cost of the annual NCAA-required background screen.

PAVO’s ongoing advocacy ensures that every member receives the full range of benefits offered by both PAVO and the NCAA. The Central Hub access fee collected during PAVO registration provides access to the NCAA Central Hub as well as the NAIA Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Central Hubs.

Q5: What does my annual PAVO membership include, and will PAVO member benefits differ for a Referee Member (Standard Membership) and a Line Judge/Scorer Member (Associate Membership)?

A5: PAVO members declaring as a Referee Member (Standard Membership) will have added opportunity to:

1. Pursue, maintain, and/or renew a PAVO Referee certification.
2. Access and complete the NCAA/PAVO Form A/B Exam.

Q5a: What is the PAVO Official’s Resume feature and why would I want to use it?

A5a: Introduced in the 2024–25 membership year, the PAVO Official’s Resume is a standardized, skills-based resume created in collaboration with assignors who value PAVO membership and certification. It allows you to highlight key details about your officiating experience, outline your chronological history, and showcase relevant achievements.

When used alongside the information in your PAVO Member Profile, this resume gives vetted assignors a more complete and consistent view of both current and prospective roster members.