Registering as a USA Hockey official (2026-27)

Steps for 2026-27

1. Register online at membership.usahockey.com. Registration for 2026-27 opened May 1, 2026. Sources: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section); Illinois Hockey Officials Association - Registration (2026-27) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
2. New officials start at Level 1. You can move up one level per season. Sources: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section); Illinois Hockey Officials Association - Registration (2026-27) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
3. Log in to the USA Hockey Learning Center (lms.usahockeylearningcenter.com) to find your seminar, online module, the Playing Rules Exercise and SafeSport. Sources: USA Hockey - Annual Membership Education (officiating program registration); USA Hockey Learning Center (LMS) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
4. Attend a USA Hockey-sanctioned classroom seminar for your level. Seminars sanctioned by any district are accepted. Source: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
5. Complete the online education module for your level. Sources: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section); USA Hockey - Annual Membership Education (officiating program registration) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
6. Complete the open-book online Playing Rules Exercise: 40 questions at Level 1, 60 at Level 2, 80 at Levels 3 and 4, and 40 for tenured Level 3 or 4 officials. Source: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
7. Complete SafeSport training if you were born in 2009 or earlier. It is an annual requirement. Sources: USA Hockey - Annual Membership Education (officiating program registration); USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
8. Complete the USA Hockey background screen if you are 18 or older on May 1, 2026. A screen is valid for two seasons. Source: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
9. Have your USA Hockey referee card and sweater crest in hand before you accept any game. Officials with an incomplete membership may not work USA Hockey sanctioned games. Source: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
10. Contact your district or local supervisor of officials for seminar dates and local assignors. Source: USA Hockey - Officiating Directory (districts / Referees-in-Chief) (checked Oct 5, 2026)

What each level requires

Fees

• Level 1: $75. Levels 2, 3 and 4: $135 each. Affiliated (non-skating): $55. Fees are non-refundable. Sources: USA Hockey - Annual Membership Education (officiating program registration); USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
• Some districts and local associations add their own fee. Example: the Illinois Hockey Officials Association adds $50 at Level 1 and $25 at Levels 2 to 4. Source: Illinois Hockey Officials Association - Registration (2026-27) (checked Oct 5, 2026)

Age and advancement

• USA Hockey sets no minimum or maximum age for officials. Officials should not work games at their own age classification or higher, and state child-labor laws vary. Source: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
• Some districts set their own minimum. Massachusetts requires officials to be 14 to register for 2026-27, and officials aged 14 to 17 file documentation with their leagues before they are assigned. Source: Mass Ice Hockey Officials - How Do I Become an Official (checked Oct 5, 2026)
• New for 2026-27: an official who is 16 or older and has completed Level 1 must advance to Level 2 this season. Officials under 16 are exempt. Sources: USA Hockey news: Mandatory Advancement Keeps Officials Moving Forward (published 2026-09-23); USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)

Returning officials

• Officials away for 3 to 10 seasons may return at Level 2 by requesting a paper application. Officials away longer contact their district Referee-in-Chief for a level recommendation. Source: USA Hockey - 2026-27 Membership Rules & Policies (officials section) (checked Oct 5, 2026)
• You cannot change to a higher level after you submit the online application, so pick your level carefully. Source: USA Hockey - Annual Membership Education (officiating program registration) (checked Oct 5, 2026)