How To Become A Field Hockey Referee? [Updated!]


Sharing is Caring


If you have a genuine interest in becoming a field hockey referee, then how can you go about doing so? The first step is to get a Bachelor’s degree in sports management or physical education. You can then expect to spend three to four years in school getting your certification. After you have gotten your certification, you can begin working towards your license as a field hockey referee in your state. It is important to note that not every state requires licensing as a field hockey referee. To find out if your state requires licensing, you can contact the American Field Hockey Association at afh.com or call them at (512) 462-8864. You can also contact the National Association of Sports Officials at nasso.org and find out if your state is among the thirty-four that do. Don’t expect to become a field hockey referee on a whim. There is a lot of training that goes into becoming a professional referee.

The Need For The Certification

While you are in school, you will be studying the rules and regulations of field hockey. Once you are done with your studies, then the next step is to take the certification test. This test is three hours long and contains sixty multiple-choice questions. It is scored on a pass/fail basis and has three sections: (1) rules, (2) officials, and (3) equipment. You have to pass the rules section with a score of 70% or higher to be able to take the test. You will have three attempts to pass the test, and if you fail, you will have to wait six months before you can take it again. The person taking the test has five minutes to complete it, and no one is allowed to help them.

Where Can I Sit For The Test?

So you just finished the test and you are on your way to get your license. If you want to be able to officiate field hockey games, then you will have to go through the process of becoming a referee in your state. While some states do not require licensing, most of them do. Unfortunately, you will not be able to officiate any games until you are licensed in your state. That means you will not be able to go to a tournament without risking arrest. The good news is that you can begin practicing as a referee as soon as you get your license. Many states require at least four years of experience as an assistant referee before you can become a field hockey referee. This means that you can start the process of getting a license and begin working as a referee as soon as you are available. You will not be able to practice or officiate games until you are licensed, but you can begin the process as soon as you commit to it.

The Cost Of The Certification

Once you get your license, the next step is to pay the membership fee. This is typically $50 per year, plus you will have to purchase a $5 book of rules. You can find the membership forms for the American Field Hockey Association and the National Association of Sports Officials on their websites. Once you have made the payment, then you can begin practicing and getting ready to officiate games. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will get paid for working as a referee. While there is more than enough demand for sports officials, not all states and cities can afford to pay their referees. The best way to make a living as a field hockey referee is to become a public official. There is also the opportunity to become a college official, but this usually means that you have to work your way through school as an assistant ref. If any of this sounds good to you and you want to give it a try, then be sure to put away some serious money.

Craving More Content?

Ice Hockey Central