26 TennisIndustry June 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

SHU

TT

ER

STO

CK

In 1986, the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association launched the Certi-fied Stringer program to provide racquet stringers an opportunity to demon-strate their competency and expertise through a

validation process. That program has set the standard for professional rac-quet service worldwide.

Why is certification important? Think about professionals in other industries. Anyone can call themselves an accountant and provide financial services, but if you want to make sure of a person’s qualifications, you’ll look for a Certified Public Accountant, who has been vetted by an independent body and has proven their qualifications and ability to do the work. The same concept applies to being certified as a stringer or racquet technician.

USRSA certifications are not easy to earn. The certification exams test both the applicant’s skills with a frame and also their knowledge of the subject matter. Over the last three years, half of the applicants taking a USRSA certi-fication exam for the first time didn’t pass. The most common reason, we found, is that applicants come into the test unprepared. Most applicants think that because they have been stringing for a while, they know it all. (For tips on preparing for the exam, see “Test Preparation” on page 28.)

Knowing the DetailsOur exams don’t just test how to put strings into a racquet or wrap a grip properly. They also test whether applicants are able to provide solid rac-quet and string advice to their clients. Learning to put strings in a racquet properly is the easy part.

What differentiates a USRSA Pro-fessional Racquet Advisor, Certified Stringer or Master Racquet Techni-cian is that they know the details—the differences in racquets and strings and

TennisIndustry

Certified CheckSet your business apart, and stay

current with racquet and string trends, through USRSA certifications.

By Bob Patterson Executive Director, USRSA

D I S T I N G U I S H E D F A C I L I T Y - O F - T H E - Y E A R A W A R D S

C O U R T C O N S T R U C T I O N

U S R S A C E R T I F I C A T I O N

C A R E E R A D VA N C E M E N T

June 2018 TennisIndustry 27 www.tennisindustrymag.com

TennisIndustry

USRSA Certifications are recognized worldwide as the highest standards in the

racquet sports industry.

Certification TypesUSRSA Certifications are recognized worldwide as the highest standards in the racquet sports industry. But we also realize our industry has changed quite a bit since we first established these standards, and that it continues to evolve. So we have changed and updated our certification requirements to remain relevant, and to continue to be the industry standard.

In 1993, seven years after the USRSA created the Certified Stringer (CS) designation, we developed the Master Racquet Technician (MRT) certifica-tion, which encompasses the skills and knowledge of the CS, plus much more.

Last year, the USRSA introduced the Professional Racquet Advisor (PRA) certification for individuals who are not technicians, but who sell or give advice about racquets and strings, such

as coaches and teaching professionals. Also, for MRTs who want to go a step beyond, we added “Specialist” desig-nations: MRT–Tournament Stringing Specialist and MRT–Racquet Custom-ization Specialist. These changes are all part of this evolving industry, as we constantly assess our programs to make sure we are living up to the high standards that we have set.

Certified Stringer ExpansionThis year, we are embarking on the most significant change to the Certified Stringer program since it was introduced.

The USRSA has always repre-sented the four predominant racquet sports—tennis, badminton, squash and racquetball—and we have always provided instruction, information and

how they interact with players—which helps clients play better and enjoy the game more. That’s what our certifica-tion programs ultimately achieve.

Why should you be certified? It’s simple: If you are servicing racquets and charging for those services, then you should be striving to do that to the best of your ability. Being certi-fied proves to your clients and others that you take your work seriously. You have proven your knowledge and skills through an independent, comprehen-sive examination process. You are a skilled professional.

Certification also provides an invaluable opportunity to promote your skills and knowledge in a way that separates you from your competition. And, even if your competition is also certified, you are at least competing on a level playing field.

28 TennisIndustry June 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

TennisIndustry

guidance on servicing equipment for these sports. Many aspects of stringing and racquet service transcend all four racquet sports.

But tennis has been the dominant sport, and it remains so, which is why our certification exams have focused on tennis. Although other sports were included in the written exams, the vast majority of the material was focused on tennis. All three practical sections of the CS and MRT exams must be per-formed with a tennis racquet.

Tennis is still by far the predominant racquet sport in the United States, but there are areas of the country where squash, racquetball or badminton have grown and have significant participa-tion—which requires knowledgeable technicians to service these sports. In addition, over the decades, the USRSA has become a truly global organization, and in certain parts of the world other racquet sports compete with tennis and are very popular.

Because of all this, we’ve had increas-ing requests for certification from technicians who specialize in badmin-ton, squash or racquetball. For years, they’ve loyally taken our certification tests to show their knowledge and skills stringing tennis racquets—yet their main business was not tennis!

So, later this summer our CS certifi-cation will change to be sport-specific. All those currently holding the designa-tion of Certified Stringer will automati-cally become Certified Stringer–Tennis. From that point forward, we will begin to offer Certified Stringer–Badminton and Certified Stringer–Squash. We will also be considering adding a specific certification for racquetball. A com-mittee of our certification testers has been working on this for the past year, to ensure the sport-specific exams are comprehensive and a fair measurement of skill and knowledge.

We’re thrilled to be able to expand and evolve our offerings to meet the needs of a changing industry—and of our members worldwide. •

Know the details—the differences in racquets and strings and how they interact with players—which helps clients

play better and enjoy the game more.

Test Preparation

Are you ready for the USRSA certification exams? A tester offers tips to help you score big.

By Diane Hamm-Vida, MRT

“Ready for the customer?”I vividly remember the moment my

USRSA tester asked me that just as I was about to hand him my racquet after the stringing portion of my certification exam. My future as a racquet services professional depended on how well I would answer that question with my performance.

Testing for stringing certification may seem intimidating, but what’s worse is not being truly ready for the test. Now that I have become a USRSA tester, I realize that being adequately prepared for the certification test is about more than just practicing and studying the manual. Equally skilled candidates can have very different outcomes based solely on who is prepared—that is, how much attention they pay to what I’ll call logistics.

What are the logistics one must master to be ready to take the USRSA certification test? Here are some tips that can help prepare you.

RegistrationRead all registration materials carefully and be sure to register on time.•You want to ensure receipt of materi-als well in advance of the test. If you are working individually with a USRSA tester, he or she can help you manage the process. Even though you will both receive an email confirmation, it is a good idea to save or print a copy as well.

•If you are taking the test as part of a conference or symposium, be sure you understand what part of the registra-tion is for the conference and what is required for testing. Print out proof

of your test registration and bring it with you to the test.

RequirementsKnow what you are being tested on, what is included in each section, and how much time you have. •Each certification has specific instruc-tions on what you can expect during the test(s) and what you need in order to be successful.

•All exams are timed, and you must know how much time is allowed. When time is up, any questions not completed on written exams are deducted from your final score. Failing to finish a practical section almost always results in the need to retest that section.

•For the CS or MRT practical tests, bring your own racquet, tools and supplies (e.g. grommet/bumperguard sets, Goo Off ). If you arrive without them, you will have to use what’s avail-able, or may even have to reschedule. Be sure your racquet is on the “approved” list. If you are not sure, con-tact the USRSA in advance to find out.

PreparationYou may already have a lot of stringing experience and feel confident in your ability to successfully complete the test within the allotted time. But there are still many factors you need to consider in order to be fully prepared.•Tools: Have the right ones, and line them up for use before you start. You don’t want to waste time looking for scissors or replacing a knife blade (which you should make sure is brand new). You also don’t want to rely on tools that may (or may not) be avail-able, especially if you are used to a certain brand or style. Try to familiar-ize yourself with the machines at the test site, and if possible, string some racquets on them beforehand.

•Equipment: Don’t simply decide that you are going to use a certain

June 2018 TennisIndustry 29 www.tennisindustrymag.com

TennisIndustry

didn’t read the instructions and know how much time they had, or they failed to time themselves in advance. Timing yourself may sound silly if you are an experienced stringer, but no matter how relaxed you are when you work on racquets, you will be nervous on test day. If you don’t know where you usually are in a string job at 6 minutes, 10 minutes, 12 minutes, etc., how will you know if you’re getting close to your time being up?

Here’s a great strategy: Practice stringing, gripping/build up, and grom-met/bumper guard replacement by using the timer on your microwave or a similar timer. That way, it always feels like time is running out. But wait for that “ding” enough times and that feel-ing will go away. You will know exactly

where you are at any moment, even though you can’t see the clock.

If you are consistent and using proper technique, the time left after each string job, or grommet or grip job will be about the same. For the certi-fi cation test, factor in a new environ-ment, a di� erent machine or tools, a stranger watching you intently, a bunch of noise—and it’s easy to see that all this can cause you to lose time.

You’ve studied the manual, practiced in your shop and are ready—at least you think so. But take a little more time to be really ready, and you can sail through the USRSA exam! �

Diane Hamm-Vida is a Master Racquet Technician based in Shallotte, N.C.

racquet for your test, throw it and the grommets in your bag, and feel ready. Regardless of your level of experience, have more than one set of replacement grommets for your test racquet, and be sure to have practiced with them in advance. The same holds true for heat sleeves: buy lots of them (they are inexpensive), and practice in advance. Importantly, before you arrive for the test, make sure the racquet is clean, and this includes the handle! You don’t want to waste 15 or 20 minutes of test time cleaning o� all the dirt, glue or old replacement grip slime.

•Timing: Even in my short time as a tester, I’ve seen too many competent stringers run out of time and not fi nish parts of the exam. Why? Either they