New Officials Information

Click the REGISTER NOW link and you will be provided detailed instructions that can help you complete your online application for registration in a matter of minutes. Registration renewals must be applied for annually. If you have additional questions please contact [email protected]. 

New officials and those not registered the previous school year must take an Officials Guidebook exam, a Principles of Officiating exam, and complete a mechanics exam if registering for football and/or basketball. These are open-book and are taken online after you have applied for registration. Here are the links for the manuals from which to study:

• Officials Guidebook
• Principles of Officiating Presentation
• Football Mechanics Manual
• Basketball Mechanics Manual

The MHSAA provides all officials with the required rules and mechanics materials to serve as an official after the registration process has been completed.

As an independent contractor, you are required to purchase your own uniforms and equipment. You can find out sport-specific uniform and equipment needs in the Officials Guidebook. Our official supplier for MHSAA uniforms is Correct Call Officiating Outfitters.

During the regular season, schools set rates for contest officials fees, often negotiated with officials through their Registered Assigners. Pay rates generally range anywhere from around $40 for lower level single contests, to $100+ for double-headers or even a couple hundred dollars for tournaments or meets. Schools also may choose to pay officials electronically or check. Electronic Payments are typically paid through Arbiter Pay/Ref Pay.

You are an independent contractor and responsible for compliance with IRS requirements, but most officiating expenses are deductible from earned income.

• Find Local Approved Associations and Registered Assigners in your area through the MHSAA website or contact local schools.
• Follow instructions for being included in assigning groups.
• Make yourself available for receiving assignments as often as possible.
• Reach out to other officials within the association for recommendations and requests to work with you.

• It’s a great way to stay involved in the sports you love. You can continue to be an active participant in contests to ensure that the games are played safely and fairly. Officiating gives you the best seat in the house...you just have to stand.
• Officiating allows you to give back. School sports are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, and without officials, the contests couldn’t be played. The best officials exemplify hard work, dedication and integrity and demonstrate the importance of fairness, impartiality, and doing the right thing.
• Remaining active in school sports through officiating provides individuals an opportunity to stay physically and mentally fit. It challenges you in areas that simply watching sports cannot provide.
• Officiating school sports is a great way to earn extra income. Whether it be to put away some savings, add to your kids’ college funds, or use for family vacations, officiating allows you an enjoyable way to earn disposable income on your own schedule.

• Study your rule books, case books and mechanics manuals
• Keep in adequate physical and good mental condition
• Read the Officials Guidebook, MHSAA benchmarks and review general and sport-specific updates, interpretations and event at www.mhsaa.com/officials
• Find an experienced veteran official to serve as a mentor or have a mentor assigned to you through your Local Approved Association in our MHSAA Officials Mentorship Program
• Attend meetings with your Local Approved Association and trainings through camps and clinics
• Maintain a record of your scheduled contests
• Purchase proper uniforms and keep them in good, clean condition
• Return phone calls and emails promptly and keep a copy of correspondence in regards to officiating
• Report any unusual incidents or any ejections to the MHSAA within 24 hours and keep a record of these submissions
• Be patient as you will likely need to start out officiating at lower levels to develop your skills and establish credibility

Part of an official’s registration with the MHSAA provides each with comprehensive liability and catastrophic medical coverages. Some officials choose to independently purchase additional supplemental insurance.