SCA Launches WCC Judge Skills Program

At the Specialty Coffee Expo 2025 in Houston, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) announced the launch of the World Coffee Championships (WCC) Judge Skills Program, a new educational initiative aimed at preparing coffee professionals to become world-class competition judges.

The WCC Judge Skills Program offers a structured course for those aspiring to judge at World Coffee Championships events. Developed by certified WCC Representatives and aligned with the latest research and standards from the SCA, the program provides training on judging criteria, scoring systems, and evaluation methods.

A New Pathway for Aspiring Judges

This in-person training offers participants a comprehensive understanding of:

• WCC competition judging criteria and scoring methods.

• Latest WCC Rules & Regulations.

• Evaluation based on the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) system.

Workshops are led by certified WCC Representatives and held at local events around the world, making the program accessible to a global audience. Participants who complete the training will receive an official digital certificate issued by both the SCA and WCC.

Although not a mandatory prerequisite for WCC Judge Certification, this course serves as an essential preparation step for those planning to certify.

Who Should Attend

The WCC Judge Skills Program is recommended for:

• Competition Body (CB) Judges seeking to advance to world-level competitions.

• Competitors aiming to better understand scoring systems.

• Coffee professionals and enthusiasts eager to learn about WCC judging processes.

By completing the course, participants will gain the knowledge needed to develop judging skills, understand how competitions are scored, and take a first step toward becoming certified WCC judges.

To find out more about the WCC Judge Skills Program and upcoming events, visit wcc.coffee/judge-skills.