FIRST TIME OFFICIALS

All first time officials are eligible to apply for level 1. In addition, any official who has not registered with USA Hockey within the last ten seasons should apply for level 1. Exceptions to this rule are extremely rare and can only be granted by the District Referee-in-Chief for the district in which the applicant resides.

RENEWAL OFFICIALS (Registered last season)

Renewal officials may apply for one level higher than their completed registation level the previous season. Officials who were registered last season are sent a pre-printed registration form at the beginning of the registration season. The pre-printed form will designate the level the applicant is eligible to apply for and each applicant should apply for that level or a level that is lower. Failure to do so will result in the application being denied and returned in order to be re-submitted for an eligible level.

RENEWAL OFFICIALS (After one year off)

Officials are allowed to take one season as unregistered or incomplete and return at the same level they were last completely registered at. Level 1 completely registered officials are allowed to take one season off and still be eligible for level 2 the following season. An official may apply for a level lower than their eligible level. However, once the application has been received at the National Office, an official cannot change the level they had applied for. If unsure as to your eligibility, please contact your Local Supervisor of Officials prior to submitting your application.

RETURNING OFFICIALS (After 2 or more seasons off)

We are always happy to have officials return to the USA Hockey Officiating Program after some time away from the program. Because of your past experience with our program you may be able to register at a level higher than Level 1, depending upon the level at which you were last registered. As a general rule, officials may take one season off (unregistered or incomplete) without forfeiting the current level status. If, however, an official is off (not registered or incomplete) for the previous two seasons, he/she must apply for registration one level lower (except Level 1) than that of the last season "completely registered." A level 4 official who takes 3 or more seasons off will be required to return at level 2. If unsure as to your eligibility, please contact your Local Supervisor of Officials prior to submitting your application.

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Because so much of the success of the Direct Registration depends upon you, the following tips will help to speed your Referee's registration for the current season.

REGISTRATION

1.) Register early in the season (August-September)
2.) Use the pre-printed form that was sent to you or an original USA Hockey Officials application..
3.) Apply only at the level for which you are eligible.
4.) Sign the registration form on the bottom. If you are under 18 years of age, have your parent or guardian also sign in the appropriate place.
5.) Return the application with a check for the proper amount.

OPEN BOOK EXAM

1.) Complete the exam promptly upon receipt.
2.) Use the rulebook to answer all questions (don't guess).
3.) Answer all questions you are required to answer.
4.) Only use the pre-printed answer sheet sent to you.
5.) Be careful when marking the answer sheet. Be sure to use a #2 pencil.
6.) Record your answers and rule references on the test booklet and save for future reference.
7.) Return the exam in the proper envelope that was supplied to you.
8.) Affix the proper postage on the envelope.
9.) Make a copy of your answer sheet for your records prior to submitting.
10.) Copies or faxes are not accepted.

SEMINAR ATTENDANCE

1.) Attend a full day seminar early in the season.
2.) Attend a seminar that meets the requirements for the level you are applying for.
3.) Be sure to check-in and register with the seminar staff.
4.) Complete the closed book exam for the level you are applying for.
5.) Remind the Instructors to submit the seminar attendance information and closed book exams to the appropriate location immediately following the seminar.

CARD AND CREST

1.) Once all of the above steps have been taken (test complete and seminar attended), allow 2-3 weeks for delivery of the card, crest and exam scores (If the open book exam is passed, you will not receive your test scores until we have received verification of your seminar attendance).
2.) If more than three weeks have elapsed and you haven't received your materials, contact your Local Supervisor of Officials.
3.) Check on each portion of your registration status by calling 719-576-8724 and follow the menu prompts for officials' registration. Be sure to enter your member number each time you are asked.

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The USA Hockey Officiating Program is responsible for the registration, testing and education of approximately 24,000 ice hockey officials in the United States. Officials who are registered with USA Hockey actively officiate all sanctioned games, tournaments and other events. These events are played at all levels ranging from youth hockey to the Olympic Games.

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 Should 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?

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. New officials will also have to obtain a black hockey helmet, official's sweater, black trousers and a whistle.

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. All seminars are conducted free-of-charge to all participants. 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.

This sheet is part of the USA Hockey Resource Center. Please feel free to duplicate and distribute to interested persons. Please call the USA Hockey Office at (719) 576-USAH if you have questions or suggestions.

What Are the Various Levels of 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. New officials who have past experience in officiating ice hockey may register at a different level, on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the District Referee-in-Chief.

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

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.

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).

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.

What Are The Benefits Of Membership?

In addition to being eligible to officiate USA Hockey-sanctioned games, all officials are provided with $1,000,000 liability insurance and excess medical/dental insurance. All registered officials receive an Official Rule Book, training manual for the appropriate level, Playing Rules Interpretation Manual (Level 3 and 4 only), sweater crest, registration card, Stripes Newsletter (four times per year), American Hockey Magazine (nine times per year) and assistance from the District Referee-in-Chief, local supervisors, officials, and various instructional staff members throughout the district.

USA Hockey also conducts various officiating camps for elite officials, district weekend seminars and instructor training programs throughout the country on a regular basis.

Who Should You Contact?

Any person who wishes to become a USA Hockey official should contact the the District Referee-in-Chief in your area.

District 11
Scott Patten
2191 Shannon Dr.
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-9757
(218) 384-9996 Fax
spatten@richwood.com

or go to: www.usahockey.com

Call now! We would love to have you involved.

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How do I get an application?

Renewal officials (those registered the prior season) will be sent a pre-printed application for the current season in early August. New officials can obtain an application at the seminar they attend or by contacting their Local Supervisor of Officials.

What if I lost my pre-printed application?

If you happen to lose or misplace your pre-printed application, you can obtain a blank application at the seminar you attend or by contacting your Local Supervisor of Officials. When completing a blank application, be sure to include your USA Hockey member number so the application can easily be matched up to your previous registration record.

How do I find out who is my Local Supervisor of Officials?

When we receive your application, an Officiating Program Personnel directory is sent to you along with your exam packet. The Officiating Program Personnel directory is also listed on the USA Hockey website at the "Directory" button appearing on the Officials page. Simply find the local supervisor, that is listed, who is closest to your home area.

Our local Supervisor of Officials is:

District 11
Scott Patten
2191 Shannon Dr.
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-9757
(218) 384-9996 Fax
spatten@richwood.com


Is there a fee involved with the official's application?

The official's registration fee must accompany the application to the national office in order for the application to be processed. The revenue generated from the registration fees is used to operate the officiating program. Volunteer expenses, seminar expenses, educational materials, printing, postage and all other expenses incurred to operate the program are covered by the registration fee.

In addition, some districts or affiliates also charge a nominal registration fee in order to fund special programs and local operating expenses. These fees are collected at the district or affiliate level.

How do I get my open book exam?

Your open book exam, and current playing rules book, will be sent to you from the national office upon receipt of your application and fee.

How long do I have to take the open book exam?

The open book exam is designed to be completed at your leisure. However, you should be reminded that new officials will not be eligible to work games until they have completed the exam and attended a seminar. Returning officials' registration expires on November 30th, so they will also need to complete the exam in a timely manner in order to continue to work games. Generally, USA Hockey will accept open book exams up until the end of May.

Where do I find out about the seminars in my area?

Since seminar attendance is one of the registration requirements, USA Hockey conducts several hundred seminars throughout the country each season. Local seminar schedules are generally sent out with the registration packet each season. You can also obtain seminar information by clicking the "Seminar" button on the officials page of USAHockey.com or on a district or affiliate website. On the NEHOA.COM site, simply click the Calendar button to your left.

Oftentimes, a local area may add a late scheduled seminar in order to accommodate officials who did not attend a pre-scheduled seminar. These seminars may not appear on the schedule or be posted on the website. In this instance, you may wish to contact your Local Supervisor of Officials to inquire about a late scheduled seminar in your area.

How do I get credit for attending the seminar?

Each official who attends a USA Hockey seminar must check-in and register at the seminar they attend. Seminar attendance information is then sent to the national office where your attendance is matched up with your registration record.

It is imperative that each official check-in at the seminar and they may be required to sign an attendance form. Officials who do not go through the required seminar check-in process may not be given credit for seminar attendance.

Where do I take the closed book exam?

The closed book exams required for level 2, 3 and 4 applicants will only be administered at the seminar you attend. The exams will be collected at the seminar and forwarded to the national office for grading with the seminar attendance information.

What if I choose not to take a closed book exam?

Provided you have completed and passed the open book exam and have attended a seminar, you will be issued a card and crest for level 1 as you have met the requirements to be a level 1 official.

When will I receive my card and crest?

Once the national office has received your open book exam, closed book exam (for level 2, 3 and 4 officials) and verification of your seminar attendance and you have passed all of the exams, your card and crest will be issued to you and you will be eligible to work games.

There is a lot of stuff going to and from the national office. How long does it take to receive materials?

Generally, we are simply at the mercy of the US Postal Service. Once the material is received here in the office, it will be processed and the appropriate materials will be sent out within 2 business days. The other thing that the national office has little control over is the timeliness of receiving seminar information from our volunteer seminar instructors. They are encouraged to submit the seminar materials within a day of the seminar, but sometimes it takes a little longer to reach the national office.

You should also be aware that your exam results, provided you passed, will not be forwarded until we have received verification of your seminar attendance and are issuing your card and crest. So, if you don't receive your exam results within a week or two of submitting your exam, it is because you have passed the exam and we are waiting on your seminar information to complete your record.

Is there a way I can check my registration status?

Yes! You can check your registration status, including exam results, 24 hours a day and seven days a week by calling USA Hockey and following the menu prompts. Call 719-576-8724 and go into the registration menu (menu option 3) and then the USA Hockey registration option (menu option 2). You can then choose menu option 3, which is the officials registration menu. Now follow the prompts and enter your member number each time when asked. All aspects of your registration status will be available through this service and will allow you to track your registration throughout the process.

Now that I have my card and crest and am eligible to officiate, how do I get games?

Contact Duane Battisti for more information on getting set up to use our online scheduling program and to get game sin our area. He will help you with availability and getting games. His contact information is:

Duane Battisti
nehoascheduler@gmail.com

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact your Local Supervisor of Officials. Thank you for your interest in hockey and happy officiating!

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Attendance at a sanctioned USA Hockey Officials Seminar is required for all applicants, regardless of level. This seminar must consist of both classroom and an ice session, conducted by USA Hockey Trained Instructors. At the seminar, every official and instructor in attendance must be sure to "check in" with the USA Hockey Seminar Staff. This information will be returned to the National Office and the attendance recorded in each official's record. Level 4 applicants must attend a level 4 specific seminar each season. There will be no opportunity to complete the level 2, level 3 or level 4 closed book testing except at the USA Hockey seminar you attend.

USA Hockey conducts over 400 local officiating seminars each season and no exceptions are granted for the seminar attendance requirement.

Check out the local officiating seminar schedule for our district on the NEHOA Calendar.

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