LEVEL 1 CHECKLIST

• Register as an official with USA Hockey

• Take the open book exam

• Attend a classroom seminar

• Participate in an online seminar

• Complete the online modules

• Fulfill SafeSport Training (if 2006 birthyear or older)

• Obtain and maintain all required clearances (if age 18 or older)

 

REGISTER AS AN OFFICIAL WITH USA HOCKEY

• Registration for the 2023-24 season opens in early June at membership.usahockey.com

  • If you were registered in 22-23, your registration is still good through November 2023, but you should renew in the summer to ensure you attend a 2023-24 seminar.

  • An official who is under the age of 16 can remain at Level 1.

  • An official who is age 16 or older can remain registered at Level 1 for two seasons but then must progress to the next level each season.

• Registration as a Level 1 official is $55; MidAm adds an additional fee of $10.

  • Simultaneous registration as a player or coach does not waive these fees; if you are registered as a player/coach, you must also register as an official.

  • Registration closes entirely for officials on December 31st of each season.

• Simply registering as an official does not make the individual eligible to officiate games!

  • All items of the checklist must be completed before accepting a game assignment.

• Once initial registration is done, the official can create a profile page in the USAH portal that shows progress through the requirements and provides links to complete each step.

  • Once all registration steps are completed, USAH will send the official a 2023-24 officiating crest in the mail for the current season.

 

TAKE THE OPEN BOOK EXAM

• The purpose of the open book exam is to guide officials into the rulebook to gain a better understanding of the rules and their applications.

  • A paper copy or electronic copy of the rulebook can be used.

• The Level 1 exam is 50 questions; the individual must score at least 35/50 to pass.

  • The exam takes at least an hour to complete and does not have to be completed in a single setting.

  • A retake option is made available after 7 days of a failed attempt and remains available for 30 days.

 

ATTEND A CLASSROOM SEMINAR

• Only a seminar conducted and sanctioned by USA Hockey counts towards this requirement.

  • The officiating seminar done by Next Step Hockey does not satisfy the requirement.

• A schedule of Level 1 classroom seminars is listed on the last page of this document.

  • Seminars are primarily scheduled on weekends from July through October.

  • Advance registration for a seminar is necessary (no walk-ups) and can be done through the USA Hockey portal.

  • An official can attend the classroom seminar in any location (including another state/district), as long as the seminar matches the registration level (ex. Level 1).

• The classroom seminar for Level 1 is approximately 3 hours.

  • All Level 1 classroom seminars include an on-ice session, for which participants must bring proper equipment.

 

PARTICIPATE IN A VIRTUAL SEMINAR

• The virtual seminars are done via Zoom by the USA Hockey national office.

  • Officials can register for a virtual seminar via their portal profile on the USAH site.

  • Virtual seminars are generally scheduled for evenings.

  • The link and password to connect to the virtual seminar is sent within 2 hours prior to the start of the seminar.

• The official must remain in the session for its duration, which is approximately 2-3 hours.

  • The virtual seminar provides interactive discussion on officiating procedures, penalty standards, and game situations.

 

COMPLETE THE ONLINE MODULES

• Online learning modules are required and are applicable to the registration Level.

  • Modules for Level 1 primarily provide video examples of positioning, officiating mechanics, and penalty standards.

• Officials must complete several required modules overall and then choose from several other elective modules.

  • Modules do not have to be completed in one sitting.

  • Officials should be aware of the number of required electives; not all of the modules need to be completed from the overall list.

• There is a short quiz at the end of each module to ensure comprehension of the material.

  • If the quiz is not completed, the official is not credited for the module.

  • If the minimum score is not obtained on the quiz, the module must be redone.

 

FULFILL SAFESPORT TRAINING

• Officials born in 2006 or prior must complete the SafeSport training as a part of the registration requirements for an official.

  • The SafeSport training is free for registered officials and is valid for 12 months.

• The SafeSport training includes several interactive learning modules and generally takes about 90 minutes to complete the initial training.

  • A refresher course is provided for returning trainees and takes about 45 minutes.

 

OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED CLEARANCES

• USA Hockey requires a background screening of all officials age 18 and older.

  • This clearance can be completed via the USAH portal and is valid for 2 seasons.

  • An official must immediately complete these clearances upon turning age 18.

  • The USAH vendor must be used; no other clearance is accepted.

• Pennsylvania residents over the age of 17, by state law, are required to complete and submit additional clearances, which are separate from the USAH clearances.

  • There are three parts to this clearance, and one requires an in-person appointment to have fingerprints submitted.

  • These clearances are valid for 5 years and apply to all child-related activities in PA.

• More information on the required clearances can be found on the webpage listed below:

  • www.midamhockey.com/screening