Become a USA Hockey Referee

Visit the USAHockey Officials page for the steps below:

To completely register with USA Hockey as an official you need to complete five steps each year:

USA HOCKEY MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION (this step must be completed first):

Go to USAHockey.com. At the homepage you will click on “Become a Member” and register as an Ice Official. This is where you will provide us with your personal information for our database and pay your annual membership fee (and Affiliate Fee if applicable).

Once you are registered, you will receive a registration confirmation email within 24-hours and a copy of the USA Hockey Playing Rules & Casebook (new officials and Rule Change Seasons only) within a week along with some additional information to help you along with the registration process.

You will also receive a second email giving you information (including your USAH Officiating Number) relating to completing your online “Open Book Exam”.

U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT TRAINING (if born in 2006 or earlier):

All officials who were born in 2006 (or earlier) by June 1 of the current year, must complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport training program. This online based program trains coaches, officials, and key volunteers in detecting and preventing detrimental behavior (hazing, abuse, etc.) on and off the playing surface. Once core-fundamental training is completed, a brief recertification course is required each year. SafeSport training can be completed by using the SafeSport link under the OFFICIALS tab at USAHockey.com.

USA HOCKEY BACKGROUND SCREEN

All officials who are 18 years-old (or older) by June 1 of the current year, must submit to a USA Hockey sanctioned Criminal Background Screen. More information regarding the screening process can be found here.

USA Hockey Background Screens are valid for two seasons, and no screening process performed by an outside entity will be accepted.

ONLINE EDUCATION VIDEO MODULES (Levels 2, 3 & 4 Only):

Once registered with USA Hockey, you will receive instructions regarding the online Officiating Education Module program. These modules are a mixture of required and elective topics that teach fundamental skills of officiating using video examples, animation, and knowledge-based testing. You must complete your required hours of training to receive your card and crest. You can access the Online Modules under the OFFICIALS tab at USAHockey.com.

Returning Level 3 and Level 4 Officials may complete all Elective (non-Required) module quizzes prior to completing module videos. Please use the video scroll bar to advance to the quiz.

OPEN BOOK PLAYING RULES EXAM:

Go to the Open Book Exam page at the OFFICIALS section of USAHockey.com and follow the steps to begin your online exam. The exam is designed to allow you to go at your own pace. You may answer all questions at once, or answer ten questions every day until it is completed. Please review all answers before submitting it to the National Office. The exam will be accessible after completing online registration, and we strongly encourage you to wait until you receive your Rulebook and attend your seminar (see below) before attempting to take the test.

CLASSROOM SEMINAR:

All USA Hockey Officials must complete their USA Hockey Officiating classroom seminar requirements annually. To find seminar schedules, go to the Classroom Seminar page at the Officials section of USAHockey.com. You will need a USAH Courses System profile to complete registration for a seminar (completing Membership Registration does not automatically create a USAH Courses Profile).

Most seminars are scheduled between late August and early November (the schedules begin to appear online starting in July), and any questions about the seminars should be directed to your USA Hockey District Staff (following the links at the main Directory under Officials Materials). We strongly recommend you make sure you can attend a seminar before you begin the Membership Registration process (the fee is non-refundable), and do not wait long to register since some seminars do fill up very quickly.

Once you complete these steps, and the USA Hockey National Office receives your Registration Fee, Open Book Exam answers, and Seminar Attendance confirmation, you will receive your USA Hockey Officiating Card and Sweater Crest and you are ready to work games.

LEVEL 1: May officiate games at age levels 8 or Under thru 12 or Under (Mites through Pee Wees) after completion of the registration and testing process in addition to attending a pre-season seminar.

• Attain an open book exam score of 35/50.
• Must complete SafeSport training (if 2005 birth year or older).
• Must complete and maintain a USA Hockey Sanctioned criminal Background Screen if 18+ as of June 1 of the current Season.

LEVEL 2: May officiate at the 14 or Under (Bantam) and younger age classes after completion of the registration and testing process and after one or two years at Level 1. Attendance at a pre-season seminar is mandatory.

• Must have been Level 1 or higher within the last two seasons.
• Attain an open book exam score of 60/75
• Must complete Level 2 Online Education Module Curriculum
• Must complete SafeSport training (if 2005 birth year or older).
• Must complete and maintain a USA Hockey Sanctioned criminal Background Screen if 18+ as of June 1 of the current Season.

LEVEL 3: The Level 3 official has proven his abilities over a period of years. The official is required to complete all registration and testing requirements and must attend a pre-season seminar. Level 3 officials may referee games through the 17 or Under age classification (Midget) as well as Over 20 (Senior) and act as a Linesman for Junior hockey games (19 and under).

• Must have been Level 2 or higher the previous season.
• Attain an open book exam score of 85/100.
• Must complete Level 3 Online Education Module Curriculum
• Must complete SafeSport training (if 2005 birth year or older).
• Must complete and maintain a USA Hockey Sanctioned criminal Background Screen if 18+ as of June 1 of the current Season.
• Level 3 Tenured Officials must attain an Open Book Exam score of 45/50

LEVEL 4: Level 4 officials may work all levels of USA Hockey. Applicants must have one year experience at Level 3, must successfully complete the open-book exam, the closed-book exam, a skating test and attend a pre-season seminar.

• Must have been Level 3 or higher the previous season.
• Attain an open book exam score of 90/100.
• Must complete Level 2 Online Education Module Curriculum
• Must complete SafeSport training (if 2005 birth year or older).
• Must complete and maintain a USA Hockey Sanctioned criminal Background Screen if 18+ as of June 1 of the current Season.
• Level 4 Tenured Officials must attain an Open Book Exam score of 45/50