The B.C. Liberal government is putting in place a series of training courses that will ensure a consistent standard of qualification for all officials in professional contests, such as mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai kickboxing.
The courses will set standards that will help to ensure safety of the athletes and officials involved in those sports.
The training course will also provide certification as a mixed martial arts judge and be offered through Certification of Officials for Mixed Martial Arts National Development (COMMAND).
It was also announced in May 2012 that a provincial athletic commissioner would license athletes, promoters and officials, and would also oversee athletic contests to ensure that all combat-sport events conform to provincial rules. Currently, the B.C. government is developing the regulatory framework and setting in place licensing and permitting rules.