Officiating Certification
When you obtain a level within the Hockey Canada Officiating Program you must attend a Re-Certification clinic within your Branch. By attending the clinic, learning the rule book, gaining experience by actually officiating games, and by learning more about the procedures involved in officiating, along with being supervised by senior officials, you should be able to earn a higher level, and also work a higher calibre of hockey. A Practical on Ice Assessment (Supervision) is a key step in allowing you to learn about the strengths you have as an official, and to know the areas of your game you need to develop before you can advance to the next level.
Certification at all levels (except brand new officials) requires an official complete an online certification program, which needs to be completed before September 30th, 2018 at 11:59pm.
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 Hockey Canada officiating program clinic and write a national examination every year with appropriate passing mark
An individual will not be eligible to advance more than one level of the Hockey Canada officiating program per season.
Officiating Program Level System
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.
Click on a level below to expand and view details on that level...click a second time to close the topic.
Purpose
- To prepare a young or new official to officiate Minor Hockey.
Certification
- An individual is certified at Level I with attendance and completion of a Level I clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 70% on a written national examination.
- Officials are required to complete the Level I/II program of the Hockey University program, attend an in person clinic and completion of a national examination.
Delivery
- Minimum of eight (8) hours of instruction.
- Spread across online and in-person.
Note
- Upon completion of the Level I requirements, the official should receive a certificate and card.
- There are over 13,000 Level I officials registered annually.
Level II Certification
Purpose
- To further enhance the training and skills of Minor Hockey officials.
Certification
- Officials are required to complete the Level I/II program of the Hockey University program, attend an in person clinic and completion of a national examination.
- A person must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years of age to obtain Level II status.
- Must attend and participate in all sessions of the Level II clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 70% on the written national examination.
- Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program Supervisor.
Delivery
- Minimum of eight (8) hours of instruction.
- Spread across online and in-person.
Note
- 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.
- 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.
- There are over 10,000 Level II officials registered annually.
Level III Certification
Purpose
- 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.
Certification
- Officials are required to complete a pre-clinic casebook study, attend an in person clinic and completion of a national examination.
- Must be fully certified at Level II and referee at least one year at that level.
- Must attend and participate in all sessions at a Level III clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 80% on a written national examination.
- Must be judged capable of refereeing in Minor Hockey Playoffs.
- Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor.
Delivery
- Minimum of eight (8) hours of instruction.
- An official at Level III will have a thorough knowledge of the playing rules and the role of an official.
Note
- Upon successful completion of Level III (clinic, examination and on-ice evaluation), the official should receive a Level III sticker and certification card.
- There are over 5,000 Level III officials registered annually.
Level IV Certification
Purpose
- 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, CIS, CCAA, Inter-Branch and IIHF competition.
Certification
- Must be fully certified at Level III and referee at least one year at that level.
- Attendance at Level IV will be by Branch invitation only.
- Certification at Level III does not automatically make one eligible for Level IV. Must attend and participate in all sessions of a Level IV clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 80% on a written national examination.
- Must pass a practical, on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor.
- Must be capable of officiating in any one of the categories as listed under purpose.
- 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
- 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
- Upon successful completion of Level IV (clinic, examination, on-ice evaluation), the official should receive a Level IV sticker and certification card.
- There are over 1,000 Level IV officials registered annually.
Level V Certification
Purpose
- To prepare competent officials to referee Major Junior, Junior A, Senior, CIS, and related Inter-Branch Playoffs.
Certification
- Must be fully certified at Level IV and referee at least one year at that level.
- Attendance at Level V will be by Branch invitation only.
- Must attend and participate in all sessions of the Level V clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 90% on a written national examination.
- Must pass a practical on-ice evaluation, performed by a qualified Branch Hockey Canada Officiating Program supervisor
- Must undergo fitness and skating tests
- Must be capable of officiating in one of the categories as listed under “purpose”
Delivery
- 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 Association Manager, Officiating for assistance in staging a Level V clinic
Note
- All officials reaching Level V are required to pass an annual written national examination and fitness test to qualify for Inter-Branch assignments.
- Upon successful completion of Level V (clinic, examination, on-ice evaluation), the official should receive a Level V sticker and certification card.
- There are over 200 Level V officials registered annually.
Level VI Certification
Purpose
- 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
- Branch nominations are submitted to the Hockey Canada National Office and are reviewed by an established selection committee.
- Must be fully certified at Level V (including fitness tests) and referee one year at that level.
- Must attend and participate in all sessions of a Level VI clinic.
- Must obtain a minimum of 90% on a written national examination.
- Must pass a practical on-ice evaluation, performed by a national supervisor.
- Must complete a written assignment assigned by the Hockey Canada Referee-in-Chief.
Delivery
- Level VI clinics are held based on national need for Level VIs.
- The Hockey Canada Manager, Officiating is responsible for the organization of the site and program, establishing criteria and review of the candidates qualifications
- Minimum of four (4) days of instruction
- 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
- 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
- There are over 70 Level VI officials registered annually.
