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How to become an ice hockey official

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1. Go to www.usahockey.com  and click on “Become a Member” on the right hand side of the page.​

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2. Register as an official/referee. (You will still have to register even if you have already registered as a player and/or coach)

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3. Once submitted, you will receive a registration confirmation email within 24-hours and new Level 1 officials will receive a copy of the USA Hockey Playing Rules & Casebook (all officials will receive a rulebook during rule change seasons) within a week along with some additional information to help you along with the registration process.

 

New Level 1 officials will also receive a second email giving them further membership instructions and will include your USA Hockey Officiating Number.

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4. Requirements: 

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Please note that for the 2024-25 season ONLY, educational content, modules, and playing rules exam will be part of the Virtual Classroom Seminar. 

  • Click here to register for a seminar.  YOU MUST ATTEND A SEMINAR FOR THE LEVEL YOU APPLY FOR! Seminars will continue to be posted as they are added throughout the summer and fall months. All USA Hockey Seminars are now offered virtually via ZOOM. Use your Official’s Number to register for the seminar that best fits your schedule as you do not need to attend a seminar offered through the district where you live.

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      Safe Sport (over the age of 17 yo)

  • All officials who were born in 2007 (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.

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      Background Check (over the age of 18yo)​

  • 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.

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       Online Education Video Modules

  • Online Education Module material will be included in the classroom seminar curriculum for the 2024-25 Membership season.

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   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.​​

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Once all requirements have been completed, your card and crest will be sent in the mail. After you have received if, you can reach out to NTHOA (schedulers@nthoa.org or board@nthoa.org) and they can assist with getting you set up to start officiating.

 

If you have any issues with the USA hockey process please contact the North Texas Supervisor Melanie Gotsdiner at northtexassupervisor@gmail.com or Texas/Oklahoma Supervisor Michael Crayton at ntxsuper@gmail.com  .

 

 

USA hockey does not have a minimum required age for officiation BUT Child labor laws in Texas prohibit youth officials under the age of 14 to work games.

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