Officiating college hockey: ACHA and NCAA
ACHA Club college hockey (ACHA)
- ACHA plays the 2026-27 and 2027-28 NCAA rule book with the ACHA's own additions document. The ACHA officials page also posts the overtime and shootout procedure, approved referee systems and the incident report. Sources: ACHA Officials page; ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
- All ACHA men's and women's divisions use the NCAA Men's Division I rules. Source: ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Getting started: Start with the ACHA officials page for the rule book, the ACHA additions and the approved referee systems, then contact the college or club assignor for your region and ask which registration they require.
NCAA NCAA hockey
- The NCAA uses RQ+ (RefQuest) as its officiating services platform. RQ+ handles registration, education, assigning and payment for NCAA-registered officials, and officials who want to be eligible for selected NCAA championships register and complete their requirements there. Source: RefQuest: NCAA central hub information (fees and registration opening dates) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
- Officials register on the NCAA ice hockey central hub run by RefQuest. Ice hockey registration for 2026-27 opened August 4, 2026. Sources: RefQuest: NCAA central hub information (fees and registration opening dates); NCAA 2026-28 Officials Registration Fee Information, RQ+ platform (PDF) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
- 2026-27 registration fee: Division I $225 (rising to $250 in 2027-28); Divisions II and III $125. Sources: NCAA 2026-28 Officials Registration Fee Information, RQ+ platform (PDF); RefQuest: NCAA central hub information (fees and registration opening dates) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Getting started: Most college officials first build experience in high-level USA Hockey, junior or ACHA games and at exposure camps, and are noticed by a conference supervisor. Registered officials find this season's education requirements and postseason-eligibility deadline on the central hub.