The Process

Step One

All officials are required to register online at www.usahockey.com. Find the "Officials" icon and follow the prompts. You will need to know your social security number and medical insurance provider and policy number to complete the registration form. Minors will require the consent of a parent or guardian. You will pay the USA Hockey registration fee as well as the $10.00 mandatory Affiliate fee, which covers your registration with SEDOPA, the local USA Hockey affiliate. For returning officials, this affiliate fee used to be collected at the seminar but it is now included in the USA Hockey registration fee.

Step Two

Attend a USA Hockey Officiating Seminar. The one-day seminars are usually held at various rinks in the Baltimore-Washington area. Seminars are scheduled on weekends beginning in mid-August, running through early November. The seminar schedule is posted on this website as soon as it is available. There are four levels of seminar. New officials are required to attend a Level 1 seminar. At the seminar you will have six hours of classroom training and two hours of on-ice drills. Make sure you sign the seminar attendance form so you get credit for being there! To be notified of the future seminars, we recommend that you visit the Southeastern District Website. When you get there, click on "How To Become A Referee". This will automatically enter you into the district’s database and will ensure that you are notified of upcoming seminars.

At the seminar you will receive instruction in the basics of officiating. Classroom topics that will be covered include the rulebook, signals, positioning, equipment, and penalty calling procedures. On the ice you will learn some power skating techniques, how to conduct a face-off, and proper positioning. Continued study will be necessary and you will receive a Basic Officiating Manual to read at home.

Step Three

Once your registration information and fee are received by USA Hockey, you will be sent a rulebook. The last step is to successfully complete an open book exam, which is available online at the USA Hockey website.

New officials are required to answer the first fifty (50) questions of the 100-question test. The questions are designed to familiarize the new official with the rulebook. When you complete the open book test, USA Hockey will grade the test and inform you of the results immediately. USA Hockey will then mail you your crest.

It is strongly recommended that the open book test not be attempted until the prospective official has attended a seminar, acquired the Basic Officials Manual and received a rule book from USA Hockey.

You are now a USA Hockey official but, in order to work games under the SHOA jurisdiction and to get paid for it, you must become a member in good standing of SHOA. Click here to learn how to do this.

Expected Costs

Day of the Seminar

No money is collected on the day of the seminar.

Anything Else?

$25.00 SHOA annual dues, taken from first payroll check, (nothing out of pocket, roughly one game fee). This fee covers the administrative costs of SHOA operations. Officials under the age of sixteen are exempt from annual dues.

Officiating Equipment

Day of Seminar

• Hockey Helmet – No Jofa Gretzky style helmets. Black if you have it


• Hockey Skates – No figure or goalie skates


• Finger Whistle (Recommended) - No whistles on lanyards


• Returning Officials - Please wear all game day gear

Game Day Gear

• Black Hockey Helmet


• Shield (Recommended)


• Hockey Official Sweater w/ USA Hockey Crest


• Black Trousers


• Elbow Pads


• Shin Guards


• Hockey Skates with clean, white laces


• Girdle (Recommended)


• Finger Whistle (Acme Thunderer, Fox Force, or other loud whistle)

F.A.Q.

How Old Do I Have To Be?

There is no minimum age limit, however you may only officiate games below your current age group. For example, if you are a Peewee you may only officiate games at the Squirt and Mite level. Generally, twelve is a good age to start. However, there have been younger officials who have been very successful. There is no maximum age. There are active USA Hockey officials 70 and older.

What Level Seminar Do I Go To?

You can attend any seminar that states it will have training in the Level 1 category.

How many Levels Are There?

There are four. Level 1 or Basic through Level 4 or Advanced. Everyone starts at ground zero, with the basics.

What’s Next?

Check this page often. The seminar season runs typically from August to November and seminars are posted as soon as the information is available.

Contact Information:

SHOA Webmaster
Didier Devynck
webmaster@shoarefs.org