Armored Combat:Authorization

Authorization

General

1. This martial discipline requires you to officially demonstrate competence and the required level of safety before allowing you to participate in competitions or other activities outside of formal training. This process is called authorizing. You do not have to be good, but you do have to be safe - i.e. not be a danger to yourself or others.
2. Competence in one activity or discipline does not automatically mean competence in another martial activity, and you will have to authorize for each discipline. Each martial discipline can require separate authorizations for different types of activities or weapons.
3. Kingdoms can set their own additional requirements for what activities or weapons within this discipline require separate authorization, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of this handbook.
4. Kingdom Earl Marshals are required to ensure that a register of authorizations for the kingdom is maintained and that a way to prove valid authorization is available to marshals and lists officials.
5. Kingdoms can set their own authorization processes for conducting authorizations for this discipline, as long as the process tests the knowledge and competencies required in this handbook.
6. Authorization is not required to participate in classes or practice sessions while you learn to become competent, but you must complete any waivers, indemnities or other required documents beforehand.
7. The Society Marshal, Kingdom Earl Marshals, and their respective Deputies are responsible for ensuring processes are followed, all the checks and documentation were completed, and appropriate marshals and other people were included.

Out-of-kingdom authorizations

1. If you are visiting another kingdom, your equivalent authorizations will be recognized. You must follow the local kingdom's conventions and standards for armor, weapons, and equipment in order to participate in that kingdom's activities.
2. If you move to another kingdom, your equivalent authorizations may be recognized for up to 6 months. After 6 months, you will need to authorize under your new kingdom's processes.
3. Kingdoms are allowed to issue authorizations only to persons who reside within their established boundaries. The following exceptions are allowed:
   1. If your kingdom does not have an active program in an approved martial discipline, you could be authorized for that program in another kingdom. This requires:
      • Approval of your Kingdom Earl Marshal, and
      • Approval of the Kingdom Earl Marshal of the sponsoring kingdom, and
      • Approval of the sponsoring Kingdom Deputy Marshal for that discipline (if applicable).
      • The sponsoring kingdom will issue the authorization, and maintain a record and administer it in the same manner as other resident authorizations.
   2. If your kingdom does not have a category or weapons form within a martial discipline, you could be authorized for that category/weapons form in another kingdom. This requires:
      • Approval of your Kingdom Deputy Earl Marshal for that Discipline, and
      • Approval of the sponsoring Kingdom Deputy Earl Marshal for that Discipline. (If no Deputy, then the Kingdom Earl Marshal.)
      • The sponsoring kingdom will issue the authorization, and maintain a record and administer it in the same manner as other resident authorizations.
4. If you are formally recognized as a subject of a kingdom in which you do not reside, your authorizations are under the jurisdiction of that kingdom.
   1. Formal recognition that you are a subject needs to be recorded as per the requirements of the SCA Governing Documents and kingdom law and custom.

Authorizing minors

1. The minimum age, required documentation, and participation requirements for each discipline is listed in each handbook under "When you are allowed to participate."
2. If you are below the age of majority in your jurisdiction, your parent or legal guardian must watch the activity you want to authorize in, and discuss with a warranted marshal for that activity what your participation in the activity will mean so that they understand the risks to you.
3. The marshal who authorizes a minor person for any form of Society martial-related activity must be the Kingdom Earl Marshal or the Principality Earl Marshal Marshal, the Kingdom or Principality Deputy for that martial activity, or a deputy designated by the Kingdom Earl Marshal to conduct minor authorizations, and they must be an authorizing marshal for that discipline.

Authorization process requirements

General

1. An authorization process must include the following:
   1. completion of any required paperwork (waivers, etc.)
   2. passing a verbal (or written) theory test, and
   3. passing a practical test.
2. The goal of this process is to ensure the authorizing participant understands the rules and is not a danger to themselves or others - it is not a test of the participant's skill level. They only need enough basic skills to demonstrate the ability to participate according to these rules without endangering themselves, their opponents, or anyone else.

Documentation

1. Before an authorization test, the authorizing participant must complete any waivers, indemnities, or other required documents for participation in SCA martial activities. The authorizing marshal must be satisfied that this has been done before they can begin the test. For more detailed information on waivers, see Corporate Policies of the SCA, Inc., section IV – VI.
2. Authorizations must be registered and tracked according to your kingdom's procedures.

Theory test

1. The authorizing participant must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the rules of the Society and kingdom that relate to martial activities:
   1. Rules of the Lists of the SCA
   2. Equipment standards for the discipline. Armor, weapons, and/or other equipment relevant to the specific activity being tested.
   3. The conventions, expected behavior, and responsibilities of the discipline
   4. Kingdom-of-residence specific conventions
   5. Kingdom-of-residence specific equipment standards

Practical test

1. The authorizing participant must demonstrate the ability to participate according to these rules without endangering themselves, their opponents, or anyone else. This includes:
   1. demonstrating the ability to maintain their temper, control, calibration, and safety under stressful and difficult situations, as well as normal competition or activity conditions
   2. demonstrating appropriate technique (such as calibration of blows) and acceptable behavior on the field, range, or arena.
   3. listening to and responding to the direction of the marshals.

Marshals

1. Only a marshal who is warranted for authorizing participants in this discipline is allowed to perform the authorization.
2. The authorizing marshal must conduct or review the theory test and confirm that they have passed, witness the practical test, and confirm they meet the required competencies before approving the authorization.

Two person integrity rule

1. All new or significantly lapsed authorizations require 2 people in that activity to be part of the authorization process:
   1. One must be a warranted marshal who can authorize participants in the activity/discipline.
   2. The other must be a warranted marshal or an authorized participant in that weapon form/activity/discipline.
2. For areas with limited access to marshals who can authorize, video (live or recorded) is allowed to be used to satisfy these requirements.
   1. Recorded video must include enough time, visual angles, lighting, and sound to enable the remote marshal to make an informed decision.

Proof of valid authorization

1. You must show proof of valid authorization for the activity to any marshal or list official who requests it before participating in any martial activity that requires authorization, outside of formal training (e.g. practice or classes).
2. Proof of valid authorization could include a physical card, a list or an entry in an electronic database, depending on your kingdom's processes.
3. If your jurisdiction requires waivers, your authorization is not valid if you do not also have a current waiver on file.

Expiry and renewal

1. Kingdoms may determine the authorization period, but not exceed 4 years.
2. You must demonstrate your competence in the practical components, and be re-tested for your theory knowledge at least every 4 years to maintain your authorization.
3. Renewing an existing or recently expired authorization only requires one warranted marshal who can authorize participants in order to complete the process.