USA Hockey official certification must be renewed annually. If you are registered with USAH as a player and/or coach, you must complete registration a second time with USA Hockey as an official as the memberships are treated independently.
Submission of USA Hockey Officiating Program membership applications for the 2025-26 Season begins on May 1, 2025. Applications for registration close 11:59pm MT, October 31, 2025 or you will be unable to register as an official for the 2025-2026 season. All registration requirements must be completed by 11:59pm MT, December 31, 2025. No referee cards and sweater crests will be issued after this date. Membership is valid for the entire season within the United States.
All officials, new and returning, must register with USA Hockey. First year officials must enter at Level 1.
Wait 24 hours before completing the next steps.
Click here for more information on registration rules and policies
Step 2 – Register for a USA Hockey seminar – https://www.usahockey.com/learningcenter
Every official must attend a seminar to complete registration. Select the appropriate course for your intended level for the season and sign up. You may attend a seminar anywhere in the country at any time, just be sure it’s for the appropriate level you registered for.
Tenured officials do not need to complete a seminar as a part of their tenured status.
Step 3 – Complete the Playing Rules Exercise – https://www.usahockey.com/learningcenter
This is essentially an open book exam to review rules and officiating manual material. All officials must complete the exercise with a passing grade.
Tenured officials receive a shorter form of the exercise.
Step 4 – Complete the Online Seminar Curriculum – https://www.usahockey.com/learningcenter
Complete the video learning modules provided by USA Hockey for your appropriate level.
Tenured officials do not need to complete any online seminar modules as a part of their tenured status.
Step 5 – Safesport Training – https://www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining
As part of USA Hockey’s continued effort to create a safe playing environment for all participants, those officials who are 18 years or older (2008 and older) during any portion of the registered season are annually required to complete the online U.S. Center for SafeSport education program. New officials take the Core Center SafeSport Training while returning officials complete refresher courses.
The online program is free of charge and is hosted on the U.S. Center for SafeSport web platform.
Step 6 – Background Screening – https://www.usahockey.com/backgroundscreen
All officials 18+ years of age by June 1 of the current year must submit to a USA Hockey Criminal Background Screening. These screenings are valid for 2 consecutive years. USA Hockey does not accept screenings from outside entities or other governing bodies.
Step 7 – Buy your equipment
Required equipment:
- Black helmet and visor
- Striped jersey
- Whistle
- Black pants
- Skates – player hockey skates only. Goaltender, recreational, or figure skates are not permitted
Brand new first-year Level 1 officials (of any age) with CHOA are eligible for a $125 credit towards equipment after working 5 youth hockey games. To redeem, submit a Scholarship form on Reftown and fill it out with equipment reimbursement as the reason, then email copies of receipts to the Treasurer. The $125 will show up on the next pay period after the form has been approved by the Treasurer.
Step 8 – CHOA Registration
New registrants and returning officials who did not complete their credentials in the prior season need to send proof of USA Hockey completion (card and crest) to the youth and/or adult assignors before working games.
You will also need to submit a W-9 form to the CHOA Treasurer.
Click here to register for CHOA with Reftown
2025-2026 Changes
USA Hockey registration received an overhaul, and all online components can be completed through the Learning Center instead of the old Courses link.
This is also a rule change year, all new rules are in effect beginning August 1, 2025.