COP will only be available for purchase in a digital format.
COP is being hosted on the VitalSource Platform, and viewable via the VitalSource Bookshelf.
After purchasing, step-by-step instructions on how to access will be sent via email.
Update: Advisement Regarding Highlighting or Notes in COP. While the digital platform allows you to highlight text and add notes, we recommend holding off until the Code of Points (COP) has been fully updated with new Illustrations and Table of Elements due to the placement of these items between sections. Once these updates are added, your purchased COP will automatically refresh-no action is required on your end.
J501: 2026-30 USAG WAG Development Program Category 1-4/Level 10 Judges' Course/Study Materials
These are online study materials that you can review at your own pace, on your own schedule, to help prepare for the exam.
You will be automatically enrolled in this course upon registering for the Written exam.
Must be completed prior to taking the Written exam.
All Written and Practical exams will be administered via the online testing platform Synap.
The date registered for the exams, is NOT the date at which the exams become available to complete.
Category 1, 2, 3, and returning Cat 4
will complete Written exams at home.
must pass their Written exam before they will be permitted to access Practical exams.
Category 1 must also attend the Leadership Seminar at the testing site.
NEW Category 4
Will complete their Written and Practical exams at a live testing site.
**All Categories will be required to attend a live testing site to complete Practical Exams.
**All Categories will be required to attend a Mock Exam/Study Session on the night before the Practical exam.
**FIG Brevet Judges re only required to complete J501 and pass subsequent Written exam. They are exempt from attending the Mock Exam/Study Session or completing Practical exams.
Review below the specific Written and Practical exam details.
Written Exam Registration/J501 Exam Study Materials
To register for the WRITTEN exam and J501click on the red button titled "Written Exam" Registration.
Written exams access for Category 1, 2, 3, and returning Cat 4
will open on May 27 at 10:00 a.m. EST and will close on June 17 at 11:59p.m. EST.
access to exam is by returning to this webpage and clicking the red begin here button.
must pass Written exam no later than 11:59p.m. on June 17th to be eligible to participate in the Practical exam
only 1 written re-take is permitted. Re-take fee is $30. Written re-take must be completed by June 17th.
Written exam access for NEW Category 4
will open at their Practical exam testing site.
will not complete at home.
Preparing Your Computer for the Written Online Exam
To ensure a smooth testing experience, please review and complete the checklist below prior to exam day. Completing this checklist ahead of time will help ensure you are fully prepared and able to begin your exam without interruption.
Device & Equipment Requirements
Use a desktop or laptop computer (phones and tablets are not supported)
Confirm your computer has a working webcam
Most laptops have built-in webcams
If not, an external webcam is required
Browser & System Setup
Install and use Google Chrome (this is the only supported browser)
Download and install the Synap Chrome extension prior to starting your exam. Click here to install.
Ensure your device allows proctoring software (the exam is timed and monitored by a third-party system)
Permissions Check
Before beginning your exam, confirm that Chrome has the necessary permissions enabled (note: NEW Cat 4 are not required to complete this step):
For Windows Users:
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and ensure access is enabled
For Mac Users:
Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security
Select Screen & System Audio Recording
Ensure Google Chrome has permission enabled
Final Step
Test your setup (webcam, Chrome browser, and Synap extension) BEFORE day you plan to complete exam day to avoid any challenges.
Practical Exam and Mock Exam Study Session Registration
To register for the PRACTICAL exam and Mock/Study Session click on the red button titled "Practical Exam Registration”
The cost to register is $110.
Testing is offered at the following Regional/National Congresses: 4/5, 6/7, 8 and National.
Practical Exam Registration must be completed NO LATER than June 1st, at 11:59p.m. EST, to be eligible to test for this cycle.
Preparing Computer for Practical Exam
Participants MUST bring their OWN laptop computer to their testing site.
Participants MUST bring headphones.
Computers WILL NOT be provided
Participants MUST bring their own power cords
Participants MUST Bring a fully charged device
It’s strongly recommended that your COP and reference materials be accessible on a different device than the one you’re using to take the exam. Please reference the VitalSource Bookshelf website or Bookshelf app for instruction on how to access COP on multiple devices.
Testing Dates & Locations
Below is the schedule of testing sites, listed in chronological order:
Region 4/5 Congress
Venue: The Westin Lombard, 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL 60148
Study Session / Mock Exam: Saturday, June 20 – 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Written (new Cat 4 only) / Practical Exams: Sunday, June 21 – 12:30–5:30 p.m.
Region 8 Congress
Venue: The Westin Gwinnett, 6450 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
Study Session / Mock Exam: Saturday, June 27 – 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Written (new Cat 4 only) / Practical Exams: Sunday, June 28 – 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Region 6/7 Congress
Venue: Wind Creek Bethlehem, 77 Wind Creek Boulevard, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Study Session / Mock Exam: Saturday, July 25 – 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Written (new Cat 4 only) / Practical Exams: Sunday, July 26 – 12:30-5:30 p.m.
National Congress
Venue: Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Study Session / Mock Exam: Saturday, August 8 – 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Written (new Cat 4 only) / Practical Exams: Sunday, August 9 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
You are currently scheduled to participate in this exam at the rating.
