Welcome to the MWAHA Officiating Program's Membership Information section. A complete list of USAH registration rules and policies are posted at the Registration Rules page. We strongly recommend reviewing these rules prior to Membership Registration to prevent confusion and errors that might affect your registration for this season.
More information can be found by using the links below.
A complete outline of the Officiating Membership Registration process is listed below.
REGISTRATION STEPS:
Thank you for your interest in the USA Hockey Officiating Program. Due to recent events we must preface our outline of the Registration process by mentioning that a few states have been experiencing conflicts with child labor laws. USA Hockey has no age restrictions for officiating; however, the Midwest Affiliate mandates that you must follow state and local child labor laws (IA - 12 years old, KS & NE - 14 years old). Please contact your local State Supervisor with any questions or concerns.
To completely register with USA Hockey as an official you need to complete all six steps each year:
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. 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.
Please note, if you are a 2005 birth year or earlier, you will be required to take the SafeSport Core Training or Refresher Course prior to participation for the 2023-2024 season. 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.
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 at the above link. USA Hockey Background Screens are valid for two seasons, and no screening process performed by an outside entity will be accepted.
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.
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 24-hours after 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.
All USA Hockey Officials must attend a USA Hockey Officiating Seminar annually. To find one in your area, 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).
MWAHA Affiliate and ArbiterSports Registration Instructions
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. After completing the USAH Registration steps, you will need to register with the Midwest Affiliate through ArbiterSports, at which time you will be ready to work games.
Important Note: Please be sure to record contact information for your local USA Hockey Supervisor of Officials and Local Assignor while at your seminar.
Answers to other questions can be found in the Membership Information menu under the OFFICIALS tab at usahockey.com.