How do I check my registration status with USA Hockey?

Click here to go to USA Hockey and check registration status.

What is the deadline for registration?

USAH does not accept registrations beyond October 31st of each season, and does not complete registrations beyond December 31st. This means you can sign up for membership through October 31st, but all components required to become certified must be completed before December 31st of the current season in order to receive a card and crest.

Are there CHOA dues? What about the equipment reimbursement program?

Member dues are the equivalent of 1 adult game fee for officials 18+, and $25 for officials under 18. CHOA suspended member dues for the 2025-2026 season. This is not guaranteed to continue into the 2026-2027 season.

Upon completion of officiating 5 youth games, each first-year and second-year Level 1 member of CHOA is eligible for $125 reimbursement towards equipment. Level 2 officials and returning officials beyond their second year are ineligible. To redeem, complete the scholarship form in Reftown after officiating 5 youth games and email a copy of your receipts to the CHOA Treasurer.

If I am registered with USA Hockey as a player or coach, do I need to register again?

Yes. USA Hockey requires players and coaches to be registered separately as officials.

Does USA Hockey certification expire?

Registration closes annually on November 1st.
Certification closes annually on December 31st.
Certification for officials of the previous season expires annually on November 30th.
Current officials must have a valid card and crest in-hand to signify credential completion or will be ineligible to work games.

Officials 18 and over must also maintain SafeSport credentials. If the official is currently 17 but expected to turn 18 over the season, CHOA strongly recommends preemptively completing SafeSport, as prior seasons have yielded technical difficulties on the USAH website in awarding credit correctly mid-season.

I completed registration. How do I get games?

Register for Reftown with the CHOA organization. If you are new to our system, you must send photos of your card and crest to the assignors to activate your account.

I am moving to the Seattle area and am already registered as a USA Hockey official. What do I need to do to register with CHOA?

Register in Reftown for CHOA, send photos of your card and crest to an assignor to activate your account, and speak with your assignor to begin receiving games.

What is the minimum age for officiating in USA Hockey?

While there is no official minimum age to officiate under USA Hockey, CHOA locally requires officials to be at least 12 years of age to foster basic hockey player foundational skills that will carry into effective local officiating. Seattle region officials under the age of 12 can skate with PSHOA (Tacoma affiliates), or with Everett Youth Hockey Association for their 10U games.

My child is interested in officiating. Do I need to attend seminars or games with them?

Seminars are open to all ages. Parents are not required to stay with their child for seminars but are permitted to stay. Attending your child’s games as an official is not required, though it is recommended. Ensure they arrive on time and are picked up when finished!

Can I progress from Level 1 to Level 3?

No. Officials may only progress one level per year.

I’m interested in obtaining officials through CHOA for an event/games.

Please contact the appropriate assignor, though this does not guarantee coverage. CHOA does not accept or assign games outside USAH sanction or currently contracted leagues, and recognizes all members as independent contractors who are free to accept games outside CHOA. For additional questions regarding unaffiliated non-USAH events, please contact the CHOA President.