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Officiating Certification
The Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP) offers participants of all ages an opportunity to be involved in the game beyond playing. By following the levels of development, and with hard work and dedication, officials can find fulfillment in their advancement while making the game safe, fair and fun.
The Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway is the foundation for all officials across the country. Hockey Canada has categorized hockey into five basic streams, each with different priorities. They include:
- Introduction
- Recreational
- Competitive
- High Performance
- Adult Recreational
The pathway has been developed to address the following components of the program at both the Member and national levels:
- Inclusivity and gender neutrality
- Defining a process to allow individuals to join the system at the appropriate level.
- Providing equal opportunities for officials of the same skill level.
- Developing a national standard that is adhered to by the Members.
- Building flexibility into a linear system
Certification at all levels, except Level I, is a two-part process involving clinical and practical assessment. From the point of view of the clinic, the official must attend all sessions and must obtain the minimum mark on the examination.
Once certified, it is essential that an official continue to update and be completely familiar with new rule interpretations and officiating techniques. 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 individual must be at least 16 years of age to be certified at Level II or higher.
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.
