How to Become an Official
How to Become an Official
Becoming an officials requires multiple steps. For returning officials, processes have changed slightly from previous years. For new officials, the process can be a bit confusing. In an effort to assist new and returning officials, a best practice registration instructions page has been created. It is strongly recommended ALL officials review this material prior to beginning their registration process.
Seminars are one cornerstone of the registration process. Careful planning for attending your seminar is crucial to a successful registration process. To view a list of seminars, log into USA Hockey's Learning Center. Please remember it is WAHA policy that officials working games in Wisconsin register with WHOA and attend a USA Hockey sanctioned seminar.
Seminars are one cornerstone of the registration process. Careful planning for attending your seminar is crucial to a successful registration process. To view a list of seminars, log into USA Hockey's Learning Center. Please remember it is WAHA policy that officials working games in Wisconsin register with WHOA and attend a USA Hockey sanctioned seminar.
USA Hockey Officials Registration begins May 1, 2026 and ends at 11:59 PM November 20, 2026. ALL steps in the registration process must be completed by 11:59 PM December 31, 2026!
All 2026-27 Officiating Membership education requirements (see below) must be completed by December 31, 2026. No referee cards and sweater crests will be issued after this date.
ALL officials should review the USA Hockey Officiating Registration Steps and USA Hockey Membership Rules BEFORE completing the registration process.
Click here to view a video with step-by-step registration instructions.
New officials and returning officials who did not receive a 2025-26 officiating card and crest from USA Hockey cannot accept game assignments until they are in possession of their 2026-27 USA Hockey officiating card and crest.
Returning officials who received a 2025-26 officiating card and crest can officiate games through November 30, 2026. Beginning December 1, 2026, returning officials must have a 2026-27 officiating card and crest to officiate games.
All officials regardless of level...
Level 1 Registration Requirements
Please review these registration requirements for Level 1 officials carefully ensuring you complete each step in the process.
Level 2 Registration Requirements
Please review these registration requirements for Level 2 officials carefully ensuring you select the approach best meeting your needs and that you complete each step in the process.
Level 3/Level 4 Registration Requirements
DO NOT CONTACT USA HOCKEY WITH REGISTRATION ISSUES! USA Hockey will typically refer you back to the Central District or WHOA. Registration questions should be directed to your WHOA Region Director via e-mail. Correspondence should include the following information:
1. First name, Middle Initial, and Last Name.
2. Your date of birth.
3. Seminar location and date of attendance.
4. Screen shots of your USA Hockey profile showing all steps of the officiating process.
ALL officials should review the USA Hockey Officiating Registration Steps and USA Hockey Membership Rules BEFORE completing the registration process.
Click here to view a video with step-by-step registration instructions.
New officials and returning officials who did not receive a 2025-26 officiating card and crest from USA Hockey cannot accept game assignments until they are in possession of their 2026-27 USA Hockey officiating card and crest.
Returning officials who received a 2025-26 officiating card and crest can officiate games through November 30, 2026. Beginning December 1, 2026, returning officials must have a 2026-27 officiating card and crest to officiate games.
All officials regardless of level...
- MUST have a USA Hockey Profile to register for a seminar in USA Hockey Courses. Please make sure you can access your Profile. If you have Profile issues, contact USA Hockey Member Services - WHOA cannot assist you with Profile issues.
- MUST complete SafeSport training (if 2009 Birth Year, or older)
- MUST complete and maintain a USA Hockey sanctioned criminal Background Screen if 18(+) years old on May 1, 2026. If applicable, please register for this Background Screen during your initial registration process ensuring timely completion.
- MUST attend and complete a virtual classroom to receive USA Hockey seminar credit. "Attend and complete" means you must arrive on time and remain at/in the seminar until dismissed by staff. You cannot leave early for any reason (e.g. to go to practice, a game, or ref a game). You must be engaged in the seminar in an educationally friendly environment with your face visible at all times. Compliance is determined solely at the discretion of seminar staff.
- All seminars (Level 1-4) will be 3.5 hours in length.
- Officials must register with WHOA to officiate WAHA sanctioned games. If you have a WI address, you will pay your $12.00 WHOA when registering with USA Hockey. This rule applies to ALL officials regardless of where they attend their virtual seminar. Level 2-4 officials wishing to officiate state play-off and/or state tournament games must register with WHOA before 11:59 PM 12/31/26.
Level 1 Registration Requirements
Please review these registration requirements for Level 1 officials carefully ensuring you complete each step in the process.
- Must submit online Membership Application: https://membership.usahockey.com/
- Must submit Officiating Membership fee ($75.00)
- Must register with WHOA (If you have a WI address, you will pay your $12.00 WHOA when registering with USA Hockey)
- Must complete a L1 officiating classroom seminar sanctioned by USA Hockey
- Must complete L1 Online Education Module training
- Must complete online L1 Playing Rules Exercise
- Must complete SafeSport training (if 2009 Birth Year, or older)
- Must complete and maintain a USA Hockey sanctioned NCSI Background Screen if 18(+) years old on May 1, 2026
Level 2 Registration Requirements
Please review these registration requirements for Level 2 officials carefully ensuring you select the approach best meeting your needs and that you complete each step in the process.
- Must have complete Level 1 membership within the last two seasons
- Must submit online L2 Officiating Membership Application: https://membership.usahockey.com/
- Must submit Officiating Membership fee ($135.00)
- Must register with WHOA (If you have a WI address, you will pay your $12.00 WHOA when registering with USA Hockey)
- Must complete a L2 officiating classroom seminar sanctioned by USA Hockey
- Must complete L2 Online Education Module training
- Must complete online L2 Playing Rules Exercise
- Must complete SafeSport training (if 2009 Birth Year, or older)
- Must complete and maintain a USA Hockey sanctioned NCSI Background Screen if 18(+) years old on May 1, 2026
Level 3/Level 4 Registration Requirements
- Must have been Level 2 or higher (Complete) during previous season if applying for Level 3
- Must have been Level 3 or Level 4 (Complete) last season if applying for Level 4
- Must complete online Membership Application: https://membership.usahockey.com/
- Must submit Registration Fee ($135.00)
- Must register with WHOA (If you have a WI address, you will pay your $12.00 WHOA when registering with USA Hockey)
- Must complete a L3/L4 officiating classroom seminar sanctioned by USA Hockey
- Must complete L3/L4 Online Education Module training
- Must complete online L3/L4 Playing Rules Exercise
- Must complete SafeSport training (if 2009 Birth Year, or older)
- Must complete and maintain a USA Hockey sanctioned NCSI Background Screen if 18(+) years old on May 1, 2026.
DO NOT CONTACT USA HOCKEY WITH REGISTRATION ISSUES! USA Hockey will typically refer you back to the Central District or WHOA. Registration questions should be directed to your WHOA Region Director via e-mail. Correspondence should include the following information:
1. First name, Middle Initial, and Last Name.
2. Your date of birth.
3. Seminar location and date of attendance.
4. Screen shots of your USA Hockey profile showing all steps of the officiating process.