Competition Levels
Copywritten 2009 IJA Inc. • May not be reproduced without permission

Levels of Competition for Classes - New for 2009
There are three levels of competition in an IJA Sanctioned Contest: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

Level 3 Expert
Restricted to contestants with “expert” grooming and styling skills.

Level 2 Intermediate
Restricted to contestants with "intermediate” grooming and styling skills.

Level 1 Novice
Restricted to contestants with "novice" grooming and styling skills.

Definitions of Levels
The level in which contestants compete is determined by the judging panel, based upon the contestants' overall technical, profile and difficulty skills for a specific class category. Contestants are not placed in a level by their wins. For example, if a contestant wins Best in Show in Level 2 but still has an intermediate skill level, the contestant will remain in Level 2. If the contestant wins a Best in Show in Level 2 and demonstrates an expert skill level, the contestant would be required to move up to Level 3. This system allows a contestant to remain in a specific level in a specific class category until the contestant has reached the maximum technical, profile and difficulty skills for that level. Overall skills for Level 1 - Novice Division range from 1.0 to 5.0. Overall skills for Level 2 - Intermediate Division range from 5.1 to 7.9. Overall skills for Level 3 - Expert Division range from 8.0 to 10.1.

Compete in Adjoining Levels
Contestants may compete in class categories in adjoining levels. Contestants may compete in Level 1 and Level 2 or they may compete in Level 2 and Level 3. Contestants cannot compete in Level 1 and Level 3.

First Time Contestants
First time contestants must choose their level in a specific class category. Contestants will be judged in the level they enter for their first contest. After the completion of their first contest, contestants will be placed in the appropriate level determined by their technical, profile and difficulty scores for the class categories they entered.

Seasoned Competitor - First Time Competing in an IJA Competition
Contestants who have competed, but not in an IJA Sanctioned Contest, can use the following for a guide when choosing a level:
For shows with two divisions, the upper division is considered Expert, Level Three, and the lower division is considered Novice, Level One.
For shows with A, B and C Divisions, the A Division is typically Level 3, B Division is Level 2 and C Division is Level 1.

Current IJA Contestants
Contestants who competed previously in an IJA Sanctioned Competition can remain in their level in all classes or choose to move up a level in all their classes or a specific class.

Class Wins
Contestants who win class awards and achieve maximum scores for their technical, profile and difficulty, who will be required to move to the next level, will receive special recognition during the awards ceremony for their achievements.