Want to officiate games in Columbus? This page details the steps to become fully registered with USA Hockey. 614 Ice Refs assigns only USA Hockey-registered officials to the games it is responsible for.

For more info, visit USA Hockey’s registration requirements.

USA Hockey Registration Information

USA Hockey recognizes 4 registration levels for officials, each of which has slightly different requirements. Generally there are six steps that must be completed every year.

1. USA Hockey Membership Registration (This must be done first)

Go to USAHockey.com. At the homepage you will click on “Become a Member” and register as an Ice Official. This is where you will provide us with your personal information for our database and pay your annual membership fee (and Affiliate Fee if applicable).

Once you are registered, you will receive a registration confirmation email within 24-hours 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.

You will also receive a second email giving you information (including your USAH Officiating Number) relating to completing your online “Open Book Exam”.

2. SafeSport Training (if 16 years or older):

All officials who are 16 years of age or older on June 1 of the current year, must complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport training program. This online based program trains coaches, officials, and key volunteers in detecting and preventing detrimental behavior (hazing, abuse, etc.) on and off the playing surface. Once core-fundamental training is completed, a brief recertification course is required each year. SafeSport training can be completed by using the SafeSport link under the OFFICIALS tab at USAHockey.com.

NEW FOR 2023-24: Per United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and U.S. Center for SafeSport policy, all returning officials must renew SafeSport training within 12-months of the previous season’s training (e.g. if you completed training on September 15, 2022, you must renew your training by September 15, 2023). An official that does not maintain annual training within 12 months will become ineligible to work any USA Hockey sanctioned game.

3. Background Screen (if 18 years or older)

All officials who are 18 years-old (or older) by June 1 of the current year, must submit to a USA Hockey sanctioned Criminal Background Screen. More information regarding the screening process can be found here.

USA Hockey Background Screens are valid for two seasons, and no screening process performed by an outside entity will be accepted.

4. Online Education Modules

Once registered with USA Hockey, you will receive instructions regarding the online Officiating Education Module program. These modules are a mixture of required and elective topics that teach fundamental skills of officiating using video examples, animation, and knowledge-based testing. You must complete your required hours of training to receive your card and crest. You can access the Online Modules under the OFFICIALS tab at USAHockey.com.

Returning Level 3 and Level 4 Officials may complete all Elective (non-Required) module quizzes prior to completing module videos. Please use the video scroll bar to advance to the quiz.

5. Open Book Exam

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 to allow you to go at your own pace. You may answer all questions at once, or answer ten questions every day until it is completed. Please review all answers before submitting it to the National Office. The exam will be accessible after completing online registration, and we strongly encourage you to wait until you receive your Rulebook and attend your seminar (see below) before attempting to take the test.

6. Classroom Seminar

All USA Hockey Officials must complete their USA Hockey Officiating classroom seminar requirements annually. To find seminar schedules, go to the Classroom Seminar page at the Officials section of USAHockey.com. You will need a USAH Courses System profile to complete registration for a seminar (completing Membership Registration does not automatically create a USAH Courses Profile).

Most seminars are scheduled between late August and early November (the schedules begin to appear online starting in July), and any questions about the seminars should be directed to your USA Hockey District Staff (following the links at the main Directory under Officials Materials). We strongly recommend you make sure you can attend a seminar before you begin the Membership Registration process (the fee is non-refundable), and do not wait long to register since some seminars do fill up very quickly.

Once you complete these steps, and the USA Hockey National Office receives your Registration Fee, Open Book Exam answers, and Seminar Attendance confirmation, you will receive your USA Hockey Officiating Card and Sweater Crest and you are ready to work games.