Broad overview:

  1. Register

    • Register as a member (meaning an official, coach, or player) with USA Hockey. They will charge you a membership fee which varies based on your selection.

  2. Certify

    • Complete the education requirements on the “learning portal”. The portal will tell you what is necessary to earn your card and crest which certify you to officiate. The necessities include:

      • Background check (costs about $50)

      • Safesport training

      • USA Hockey officiating modules (these are long and tedious so carve out some time)

      • Officiating exam (get to know the rules because knowing them speeds this test up drastically)

      • Attend a seminar (these are also long -3+ hours- and are usually via zoom)

  3. Join an officiating association

    • To get scheduled games you will need to be part of an association (we use REFR, the link is on the home page)

      • You will need to upload your card and crest to prove that you are licensed to officiate

      • You will need to set up a payment account to receive your game fees

      • You will need to set your availability/unavailability

Step by step USA Hockey registration:

  • Search usahockey.com, hover over “officials” at the top and select “member registration”, then click “register now”

  • Select “official” and agree to the independent contractor agreement

  • Watch a 6.5 minute video about USA Hockey’s long and confusing process

  • Input person information and mailing address

  • Select your level (new officials are always level 1)

  • Select “I would prefer not to share this information” in the demographic portion (its none of their business)

  • Donate (OR DON’T! option at the bottom to avoid losing any more money to USA Hockey)

  • Sign your life away and pay the fee.

  • You are now a registered official. . . but you have more to do before you can step on the ice.

Step by step certification:

  • Search www.usahockey.com, hover over “officials”, click on “learning center”

  • click on the “enter learning center” photo or link, select “member login” (username will be provided after the registration process)

  • Select officials. The grey box will have a series of cards which denote the steps you must take to earn your card and crest. These include:

    • The background check ($50, valid for 2 years from the date you complete)

    • Safesport training (valid for 1 year from the date you complete)

    • Modules (long and tedious)

    • Playing rules test (also long)

    • ILT or instructor led training (3+hour seminar via zoom)

  • Once all steps are completed, the red box at the top will indicate that the card and crest is “issued”, meaning it’s in the mail

  • Nearly there. Join our association and we will schedule games.

Step by step REFR registration:

  • Navigate to the home page on this website (www.scihra.net) and click on REFR.

  • Select “sports official or event staff

  • Fill in personal information

  • Verify your phone number

  • Set a strong password.