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Program Overview
The Hockey Canada Officiating Program has been structured into six program levels. It caters to the needs of all officials, from the novice Level I through to a national and/or international Level VI referee.
To familiarize yourself with the rules of play, download your copy of the Hockey Canada Rule Book.
The following are the Hockey Canada Officiating Program level definitions along with the necessary requirements:
For clinic contact information please see the chart below.
Level I
Purpose
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To prepare a young or new official to officiate Minor Hockey. |
Registration/Certification
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An individual is certified at Level I with attendance and completion of a Level I clinic. Completion of a national examination, to be marked and returned prior to the completion of the clinic. |
Delivery
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Minimum of eight (8) hours of instruction. |
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May be presented over two evenings, or on a Saturday or Sunday. |
Note:
| 1. |
Upon completion of the Level I requirements, the official should receive a certificate and card. |
| 2. |
There are over 13,000 Level I officials registered annually. |
| 3. |
Minimum age guidelines may be set by individual branches. |
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Level II
Purpose
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To further enhance the training and skills of Minor Hockey officials. |
Registration/ Certification
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A person must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years of age to obtain Level II status. |
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Must attend and participate in all sessions of the Level II clinic. |
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Must obtain a minimum of 70% on a written national examination, to be marked and returned prior to the completion of the clinic. |
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Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program Supervisor. |
Delivery
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Minimum of eight (8) hours of instruction. May be presented over two evenings, or all day on a Saturday or Sunday. |
Note:
| 1. |
A novice official, seventeen (17) years of age or older, may obtain Level I and II certification in one year based on ability. This is the only opportunity within the Hockey Canada Officiating Program to accomplish two levels in one year. This is designed to encourage persons with playing or coaching experience to consider officiating. |
| 2. |
Upon successful completion of the clinic, examination and on-ice supervision, the official should receive a Level II sticker (to be affixed to the certificate received with Level I) and certification card. |
| 3. |
There are over 10,000 Level II officials registered annually. |
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Level III
Purpose
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To prepare officials capable of refereeing Minor Hockey Playoffs, Minor Hockey Regional Playoffs and Female National Championships, or being linesmen in Junior B, C, D, Senior and Bantam or Midget Regional Championships. |
Registration/ Certification
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Must be fully certified at Level II and referee one year at that Level. |
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Must attend and participate in all sessions at a Level III clinic. |
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Must obtain a minimum of 80% on a written national examination, to be marked and returned prior to the completion of the clinic. |
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Must be judged capable of refereeing in Minor Hockey Playoffs. |
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Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program Supervisor. |
Delivery
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Minimum of eight (8) hours of instruction. |
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An official at Level III will have a thorough knowledge of the playing rules and the role of an official. Similar delivery options as in Level II although the Level III is usually presented in one day. |
Note:
| 1. |
Upon successful completion of Level III (clinic, examination and on-ice evaluation), the official should receive a Level III sticker and certification card. |
| 2. |
There are over 5,000 Level III officials registered annually. |
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Level IV
Purpose
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To prepare hockey officials capable of refereeing Senior, Junior A, B, C, D, Minor Hockey Regional and National Championships, Female Hockey National Championships and designated Minor Hockey IIHF competition, or being a linesman in Major Junior, Junior A, Senior, CIAU, CCAA, Inter-Branch and IIHF competition. |
Registration / Certification
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Must be fully certified at Level III and referee one year at that level. |
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Attendance at Level IV will be by Branch invitation only. |
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Certification at Level III does not automatically make one eligible for Level IV. |
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Must attend and participate in all sessions of a Level IV clinic. |
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Must obtain a minimum of 80% on a written national examination. |
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Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor. |
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Must be capable of officiating in any one of the categories as listed under purpose. |
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When an official fails the practical on-ice evaluation, certification will not be validated, however, the official may request a second evaluation. The second evaluation will be done at Branch convenience but at no extra cost to the Branch. |
Delivery
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Minimum of fourteen (14) hours of instruction. Usually is presented over an entire weekend. The topic areas for a Level IV clinic are outlined by the Hockey Canada National Office. Branches are encouraged to contact the Hockey Canada Manager, Officiating for assistance in staging a Level IV clinic. |
Note:
| 1. |
Upon successful completion of Level IV (clinic, examination, on-ice evaluation), the official should receive a Level IV sticker and certification card. |
| 2. |
There are over 900 Level IV officials registered annually. |
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Level V
Purpose
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To prepare competent officials to referee Major Junior, Junior A, Senior, CIAU, and Inter- Branch Playoffs. |
Registration / Certification
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Must be fully certified at Level IV and referee one year at that level. |
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Attendance at Level V will be by Branch invitation only. |
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Must attend and participate in all sessions of the Level V clinic. |
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Must obtain a minimum of 90% on a written national examination. |
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Must pass a practical on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor. |
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Must undergo fitness and skating tests. |
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Must be capable of officiating in one of the categories as listed under purpose. |
Delivery
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Minimum of fourteen (14) hours of instruction. Usually is presented over an entire weekend. The topic areas for a Level V clinic are outlined by the Hockey Canada National Office. Branches are encouraged to contact the Hockey Canada Manager, Officiating for assistance in staging a Level V clinic. |
Note:
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All officials reaching Level V are required to pass an annual written national examination and fitness test to qualify for Inter-Branch assignments. |
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Upon successful completion of Level V (clinic, examination, on-ice evaluation), the official should receive a Level V sticker and certification card. |
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There are over 200 Level V officials registered |
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Level VI
Purpose
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To prepare competent officials capable of refereeing at National Championship finals and designated IIHF competition (i.e. Memorial Cup, Royal Bank Cup, Allan Cup, Hardy Cup, University Cup, CCAA finals, World Championships, Olympics, FISU Games). |
Certification
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Branch nominations are submitted to the Hockey Canada National Office and are reviewed by an established selection committee. |
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Must be fully certified at Level V (including fitness tests) and referee one year at that level. |
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Must attend and participate in all sessions of a Level VI clinic. |
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Must obtain a minimum of 90% on a written national examination. |
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Must pass a practical on-ice evaluation, performed by a national supervisor. |
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Must complete a written assignment assigned by the Hockey Canada Referee-in-Chief. |
Delivery
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Level VI clinics are held based on national need for Level VI's. The Hockey Canada Manager, Officiating is responsible for the organization of the site and program, establishing criteria and review of the candidates’ qualifications. |
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Minimum of four (4) days of instruction. |
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Attempts are made to stage the clinic in conjunction with a major training program or early in the season requesting cooperation from local leagues so officials are able to work scrimmages or games. |
Note:
| 1. |
All officials reaching Level VI are required to pass an annual written national examination and fitness test to qualify for Inter-Branch, National and International assignments. |
| 2. |
There are over 70 Level VI officials registered annually. |
Re-certification Procedures
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Once certified, it is essential that an official continue to update and be completely familiar with new rule interpretations and officiating techniques. Toward this end, the following policies are in effect: |
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To maintain one’s present level of certification, an individual must attend a full Hockey Canada Officiating Program clinic and write a national examination every year with appropriate passing mark. An open book exam is not acceptable for re-certification purposes. |
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Should an official fail the Level IV, V or VI examination, the Branch shall be authorized to allow the candidate to write a supplementary examination during the current season. This second exam shall be different from the first one and shall originate from the Hockey Canada National Office. Only those officials whose supplementary examinations are successful and sent to the Hockey Canada National Office shall be eligible to referee Inter-Branch Playoffs. |
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An individual will not be eligible to advance more than one level of the Hockey Canada Officiating Program per season, except for Levels I and II. Certification at the higher level cannot be granted until one year has passed. |
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When an official has not officiated for a season or more, the individual must attend a full Hockey Canada Officiating Program clinic at the appropriate level and successfully complete a practical assessment. When a Level VI official has not officiated for a season or more and wants to regain Level VI status, the individual must first obtain Level V status within the Branch. The candidate may then apply to the Hockey Canada Manager, Officiating through his/her Branch Referee-in-Chief for Level VI certification, which requires the successful completion of the Level VI examination, and an on-ice evaluation by a national supervisor. The cost of such re-assessment shall be borne by the Branch and/or official. |
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Officiating Clinics and Recertification Procedures
For more information about clinics in your area please visit the appropriate link below or contact the person responsible. If you do not know who to contact please email Ryan Berg (rberg@ohf.on.ca)
To verify your certification information or if you have lost your card please complete the “Certification Check Request Form”.
For additional officiating information and resources visit www.heyrefs.com.
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