Getting Started...

All officials who work sanctioned games must register with the USA Hockey Officiating Program. This involves the completion of a simple registration form and the payment of a nominal annual registration fee. After registering, the applicant must pass an open-book rules exam that is designed to cover the basic playing rules that are required at the lower levels.

The Officiating Program provides the opportunity for officials to gain the proper experience at the lower levels of competition and promotes the more experienced, talented officials to high ranks of officiating such as collegiate, minor professional, USA Hockey National Championships, International and Olympic competition, and even graduates top program members to the National Hockey League. Officiating USA Hockey sanctioned games offers a unique opportunity to practice and further develop on-ice skills while providing a safe environment in which all participants may compete.

 

Who Can Officiate?

USA Hockey registers male and female officials between the ages of 11 and 70. These officials are recruited from all aspects of life. Players, students, adults, and parents are all welcome to join the program and participate as on-ice officials. Even those who aspire to a career in professional officiating begin in the ranks of USA Hockey.

 

Why Do People Officiate?

People officiate for many different reasons. Officiating is a great way to supplement a playing career. It provides players with an "extra edge" that comes from the additional ice time and rules knowledge that they receive. Ex-players find officiating a rewarding method to stay involved in ice hockey, while parents can enhance their child's involvement in the game by participating as well. Students find the additional income helpful in financing their education. Above all, most officials are involved because they love the sport. There is a great deal of self-satisfaction after completing a well-officiated game.

 

How Do Officials Get Started?

The Officiating Program conducts over 400 pre-season educational seminars for its officials during the fall months. These full-day seminars are mandatory for all officials registering with USA Hockey.  The content of these educational seminars ranges from on-ice skills to rules interpretations to advanced theories of officiating. As experience is gained, officials advance to higher-level seminars.

 

What Are the Various Levels and Requirements for Officiating?

The Officiating Program establishes “levels of achievement” for each individual, from the beginner to the highly skilled official. First-year officials must register as a Level 1 official and may officiate at the lower levels of hockey.

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LEVEL 1:

• Must complete online Membership Registration
• Must submit Registration Fee ($45.00 + applicable Affiliate Fee)
• Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 35/50 (or higher)  
• Must attend and complete a Level 1 officiating seminar sanctioned by USA Hockey
• Must complete SafeSport training every two years (if 18 years old or older)

LEVEL 2:

• Must complete online Membership Registration
• Must submit Registration Fee ($90.00 + applicable Affiliate Fee)
• Must have been Level 1 or higher (Complete) within the last two seasons  
• Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 40/50 (or higher)
• Must attain a Level 2 Closed Book Exam score of 24/30 (or higher)
• Must attend and complete a Level 2 officiating seminar sanctioned by USA Hockey
• Must complete Level 2 Online Education curriculum
• Must complete SafeSport training every two years (if 18 years old or older) 

LEVEL 3: 

• Must complete online Membership Registration
• Must submit Registration Fee ($90.00 + applicable Affiliate Fee)
• Must have been Level 2 or higher (Complete) during previous season  
• Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 45/50 (or higher)
• Must attain a Level 3 Closed Book Exam score of 40/50 (or higher)
• Must attend and complete an officiating seminar administrated by USA Hockey
• Must complete Level 3 Online Education curriculum
• Must complete SafeSport training every two years (if 18 years old or older)

LEVEL 4: 

• Must complete online Membership Registration  
• Must submit Registration Fee ($90.00 + applicable Affiliate Fee)
• Must have been Level 3 or 4 (Complete) last season  
• Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 45/50  
• Must attain a Level 4 Closed Book Exam score of 40/50  
• Must complete a Level 4 USA Hockey officiating seminar each season, and pass Level 4 Skating Exam
• Must complete Level 4 Online Education curriculum
• Must complete SafeSport training every two years (if 18 years old or older).

• Must arrange to have an evaluation completed while officiating a high-level game, by a trained USA Hockey Evaluator at least once during the current calendar year.