HOW TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be a high school student or older.
- A thorough understanding of the sport you wish to officiate.
- The ability to interpret and apply rules.
POLICIES
- High school students are eligible to obtain a license and officiate junior high school (7th or 8th graders) contests, but may not officiate senior high (grades 9-12) games (with soccer as an exception).
- An official is required to have a valid IHSAA license to officiate grades 9-12 between member schools in the sports of baseball, basketball, football, cross country, soccer, swimming, wrestling and track and field.
- All officials’ licenses expire annually after the state baseball tournament and are renewable for one year, beginning on June 1.
- The required uniform is mandatory for officials working any interscholastic contest between IHSAA member schools. Officials’ uniforms may be purchased at The Graphic Edge (1-800-747-9744 or www.thegraphicedge.com), Smitty Officials Apparel, or Honig’s Whistle Stop. Refer to the National Federation Rules Book for your sport to determine the specific uniform needs.
EXAMS AND RULES MEETINGS
- All officials must score 75-percent or above on an online exam in the sport(s) for which they intend to officiate. Exams are available online approximately 1 month prior to the starting date of each sport.
- If you fail that exam, you may retake it two more times. If you fail all three, you must wait until the following year to try again. Failing in one sport does not disqualify you from officiating another.
- All officials are required to view an online rules interpretation meeting in their sport(s) before the season begins. Rule meetings are available online approximately 1 month prior to the starting date of each sport.
- New officials are required to attend a clinic within the first 3 years of registration in the sports of football, basketball, baseball and wrestling if they want to be varsity eligible.
HOW TO REGISTER
- From our website (www.iahsaa.org ), click on OFFICIALS. Once that page opens, click on, Online Registration Form for New and Re-Registered Officials.
- Payment can be made online with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Fees include rules books, case books, online exam, online rules meeting, liability insurance, and other publications.
- Fees-
One sport: $50
Full-time college student or High school student (one sport): $20
Each additional sport: $12
ONCE YOU’RE AN OFFICIAL…
- Directly contact the athletic directors at area schools for game contracts.
- You are strongly encouraged to become a member of a local officials’ association where you can receive training, mentoring and assistance in obtaining game contracts. A list of associations can be found under the Officials tab of the IHSAA website.
- Member schools set the officiating fees you receive based on the level of competition, distance to and from the contest, number of contests officiated, and number of officials needed to work the game.
QUESTIONS
Your questions are always welcome. Just give us a call at 515-432-2011. Ask for Lewie or Laura. For IGHSAU, call 515-288-9741 and ask for Joel.
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