Interested in Officiating?

If you are interested in becoming a referee for Raider House League games, please read the info below and make sure you are eligible to join our referee pool before you take the steps to get USAH certified. 

Raiders House Referee Pool Eligibility for 2019-20 Season:

• Player Status with Raiders:
  • 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 birth years:  Must be a registered player in Raiders Travel or House Program for 2019-20 season.
  • 2003 and older:  Open to all USAH certified refs, Raiders or not.
  • 2008 and younger:  Not eligible for ref pool.
• Proficient skater * Arrive early to game assignments * Keep work commitments

Steps for Becoming an Official:

New Officials:  ALL steps must be completed prior to working any games. 

Returning officials:  Because your 2018-19 USAH certification expires November 30, you can ref games at the start of the season.  But if you want to continue reffing games for the rest of the 2019-20 season, you must complete ALL steps below no later than November 30, 2019.

So please plan ahead!

1. Register with USA Hockey as an ICE OFFICIAL  

• You have to register every year. This is a separate registration from a player and coach registrations — you get a different number for USAH officiating registration.

•  USA Hockey registration system is open NOW!

• You must be registered with USA Hockey before you can do anything else toward becoming an official.  

• Once you are registered, you will receive:

• an email giving you information (including your USAH Officiating Number) relating to completing your Open Book Exam and online Education; and
• a copy of the USA Hockey Playing Rules & Casebook (new officials and Rule Change Seasons only) within a week along with some additional information to help you along with the registration process.

• Returning Officials: Be sure to have your USA Hockey Officials Number from 2018-19 handy, as it will be necessary to input your Officials number in order to be able to register at the appropriate level.

2.  Register with USA Hockey for a SEMINAR. 

•  Seminar registration is open NOW!!.  
  • Register early because classroom sizes are limited and no walk-ins will be accepted.
  • Register at the same level as your registration. For example, do not register as a Level 3 and try to attend a Level 2 Seminar. Once you complete your online Membership Registration, you are committed to completing registration at that level. Officials cannot register as a Level 2 and switch later to a Level 3.

• NO WALK-INS ARE ALLOWED AT SEMINARS.  You will not be allowed to participate without a completed Online Registration.

• You may attend a seminar anywhere in the United States, however you must attend the appropriate level seminar or you will not get credit.

• If you have problems registering for a seminar online (this may happen with refs under 13 years old), click the “CONTACT INSTRUCTOR” button on the USAH Seminar Catalog page.

Local USAH Officiating Seminars posted on USAH Seminar Catalog as of 7/5/19 (check USAH website to confirm and for updates):

3.  Take Online Education Modules

• Once registered with USA Hockey, you will receive instructions regarding the online Officiating Education module program.

• The Online Education modules are a mixture of required and elective-menu topics that teach fundamental skills of officiating using video examples, animation, and knowledge-based testing.

• All officials must complete all course categories to complete training and receive your card and crest.  Note: A list of all module categories will be listed at the main Courses page in the Online Education System.

4. Take the Open Book Exam Online

• Go to the Open Book Exam page at the Officials section of USAHockey.com and follow the steps to begin your online exam.

• The exam is designed so that you can go at your own pace.

• Although the exam will be accessible 24 hours after membership registration, we strongly encourage you to wait until you receive your Rulebook and attend your Seminar before attempting to take the test – especially Level 1 officials.

5. Take the Closed Book Exam at your Seminar

• Required for all Level 2, Level 3 & Level 4 applicants.

• Administered at the Seminar.

6.  Register with the League where you want to Officiate

• If you want to referee Raiders House Games:
• When are a USAH-Certified Official with your card/crest in-hand or on its way, join our referee pool by registering here: https://leagueathletics.com/UserForm.asp?RegID=52547&n=&org=restonraiders.com
• You will receive emails about upcoming games from our referee scheduler, Ken Kerrigan.
• It may take some time before you get a game – please be patient.
• You may referee only House games that are below your level.  So if you are a 12U player, then you will be reffing only 10U and 8U Travel games.
• Most youth referees choose to ref within the Raiders House League.

• If you want to referee travel games (must be 14 or older):
• Travel game officiating is done through Southeastern Hockey Officials Association (SHOA). Contact them:  http://www.shoarefs.org
• SHOA is entirely separate from Raiders.
• Each rink has a referee scheduler.  

7.Attend the Raiders Watch From the Stands Review in Fall (Date TBD)

• Required for:
  • All new referees
  • All returning referees who did not attend last season.
  • All returning referees who attended last season but officiated 5 or less games year.

• Optional for referees who attended last year if there is space available.

• Watch from the Stands is when you learn from senior officials as you watch a game with them and listen to their commentary about the referees on the ice during the game.  They will share observations about positioning, skating, judgment and rule knowledge.  They will be available to answer your questions and provide a lot of insight into the job of youth hockey officiating.

** 8. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REFS 2002 AND OLDER:

• SafeSport training program
  • This online based program trains coaches, officials, and key volunteers in detecting and preventing detrimental behavior (hazing, abuse, etc.) off the playing surface.

• BACKGROUND CHECK (OFFICIALS 18 YEARS OLD OR OLDER: 

Questions about Raiders Referee Program: