Ohio: officiating OHSAA ice hockey

Rule cycle OHSAA 2026-27 school year (NFHS rules) Last verified October 5, 2026

Key dates

Oct 15, 2026 Passed Application deadline given on OHSAA's ice hockey beginning-officials page (OHSAA's handbook describes a different path; see the first step below) Source: OHSAA: Beginning Officials - Ice Hockey (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Oct 31, 2026 Passed Last day for winter-sport permit renewal with the $50 late fee (on-time renewal was due September 30) Source: OHSAA Officiating page (checked Oct 5, 2026)

Steps for a new ice hockey official

Before you apply or pay, ask the OHSAA officiating department which new-official path applies to ice hockey this season. OHSAA's ice hockey beginning-officials page describes a mailed application ($65 per sport, due October 15), mailed study material and an online exam with an 80% pass mark. OHSAA's Officials Handbook (updated 8/21/26) instead lists ice hockey among the sports whose beginners take an OHSAA officiating course on DragonFly ($70 for adults) and need 75% to pass. Sources: OHSAA: Beginning Officials - Ice Hockey; OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Complete a concussion training course before you officiate. Both OHSAA sources require this. Sources: OHSAA: Beginning Officials - Ice Hockey; OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)

Permit, meetings and renewal

Ice hockey permits are Class 1 only. Varsity games require Class 1 officials. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Applicants must be 18 or older and out of high school. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Only officials who live in Ohio or a neighboring state may get or renew an OHSAA permit. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Every ice hockey official attends an OHSAA state rules interpretation meeting each season. Meetings held by other states do not count. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Officials who live in the Central, Northeast, Southwest and Northwest districts also attend at least three local rules meetings. Officials in the East and Southeast districts complete a rules review exam instead. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Renewal is $60 for the first sport and $30 for each additional sport, plus any platform fee. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
Officials already licensed in another state or by another association follow a reciprocity process; contact the OHSAA officiating office before paying. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)

Uniform: black referee pants, black-and-white vertically striped jersey (arm bands in a three-official system), skates with white laces and a black helmet with a half shield. Source: OHSAA Officials Handbook (current web copy) (checked Oct 5, 2026)