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2024-25 Seminar Information

Changes to Officials’ Online Registration Process  By Steve Mann, 05/01/24

USA Hockey is committed to providing a positive experience for its member officials, both inside and outside of the rink. With that top of mind, some changes have been implemented (with more on the way) to make its online registration and membership processes more seamless for all involved.

“We are consistently reviewing our processes to see how we can improve the user experience,” said Dave LaBuda, USA Hockey National Referee-in-Chief. “It came to a point where the old systems no longer met our needs, so we’ve embarked on a new endeavor to update software, platforms and equipment. We’re looking forward to being able to provide the level of customer service that our membership deserves.”

According to LaBuda, the updates will be implemented over the next two years. The most noteworthy changes are:

• Registration for officials for the 2024-25 season opens on June 1. Officials will only need to register online, attend an online virtual seminar and complete the required background check and SafeSport training, if it is age required. Officials will not need to complete a separate rules exam or modules as part of the process for the 2024-25 season. 

• By the 2025-26 season, new hardware and software platforms will be in place, highlighted by a new learning platform. Previous registration requirements, including rules exam and individual modules, will once again be required.

“Our objective, not only as a program, but also as a National Governing Body, is to implement systems and platforms that make our members’ registration and educational experiences user-friendly, efficient and reliable,” LaBuda said. “The officiating program leadership, along with all of the USA Hockey staff, are committed to this outcome and are actively working to achieve those objectives.”

For more information, officials should visit: https://www.usahockey.com/registrationtips

“We are consistently reviewing our processes to see how we can improve the user experience,” said Dave LaBuda, USA Hockey National Referee-in-Chief. “It came to a point where the old systems no longer met our needs, so we’ve embarked on a new endeavor to update software, platforms and equipment. We’re looking forward to being able to provide the level of customer service that our membership deserves.”

According to LaBuda, the updates will be implemented over the next two years. The most noteworthy changes are:

• Registration for officials for the 2024-25 season opens on June 1. Officials will only need to register online, attend an online virtual seminar and complete the required background check and SafeSport training, if it is age required. Officials will not need to complete a separate rules exam or modules as part of the process for the 2024-25 season. 

• By the 2025-26 season, new hardware and software platforms will be in place, highlighted by a new learning platform. Previous registration requirements, including rules exam and individual modules, will once again be required.

“Our objective, not only as a program, but also as a National Governing Body, is to implement systems and platforms that make our members’ registration and educational experiences user-friendly, efficient and reliable,” LaBuda said. “The officiating program leadership, along with all of the USA Hockey staff, are committed to this outcome and are actively working to achieve those objectives.”

For more information, officials should visit: https://www.usahockey.com/registrationtips

Email Message From USA Hockey 07/09/2024

 
   

Welcome to another season of officiating membership with USA Hockey.

 

This message is being sent to all returning officials to make you aware of the recent changes to annual membership education and earning your 2024-25 referee card and crest.

 

Due to systemic challenges with our current online eLearning Management System (LMS) that hosts both the open book playing rules exams and online education modules, the Officiating Section of USA Hockey has decided forgo these two steps for one season. Instead, online module curriculum and playing rule exam exercises will be built into the classroom seminar curriculum for the 2024-25 Season.

In short, our education program is under construction for this season as we secure a contract with a new online LMS vendor and build out new online education curriculum for 2025-26. We’re excited to return with refreshed online education modules and playing rule exercises to help our officials prepare for next year.

 

In the meantime, we hope all officials enjoy the brief reprieve from normal education requirements, while taking some personal time to study the playing rules and officiating manuals in preparation for this season. As a reminder, the 2024-25 requirements are:

  • Online Application
  • Classroom Seminar
  • U.S. Center for SafeSport Training (if born in 2007 or earlier)
  • NCSI Background Screen (if 18+ years old / valid for two seasons)

 

In addition to the brief changes to our annual education, the timelines of membership registration will be see changes unfold during the next two seasons. Starting in 2024-25, officiating membership applications will no longer be accepted after October 31, 2024. This means a new or returning official cannot start the process after that date.

 

Furthermore, all officiating memberships must be complete by December 31, 2024. This includes classroom seminars, U.S. Center for SafeSport training, and NCSI background screening. After December 31, the 2024-25 membership database will be closed and no more cards and crests will be issued.

 

The reason for this change is to drive membership education and completion rates towards the first half of the season. With all education requirements now being completed online and at the convenience of personal schedules, that flexibility leaves little reason to extend the membership season into January or February when the season is nearly over.

 

In short, there is no reason the process that was previously completed within nine months cannot be completed in seven. Furthermore, by driving education requirements earlier in the season we are ensuring more officials are prepared for the games played by our member associations and teams.

 

NEW MEMBERSHIP TIMELINES:

  • June 1, 2024: Membership applications open
  • November 1, 2024: Membership applications close (no one may start registration)
  • December 1, 2024: All 2023-24 Memberships expire
  • January 1, 2025: 2024-25 Membership closed (cards and crests no longer issued)

We hope you have found this message useful as you prepare for the upcoming season. And as a reminder you can always find answers to membership questions by using the Membership Information column in the drop-down menu under the Officials tab at USAHockey.com, and questions regarding classroom seminar schedules should be directed towards your local volunteer USA Hockey administrators using the Officiating Directory link in the same drop-down menu.

 

On behalf of the Officiating Section, best wishes for a safe and successful season and thank you for your dedication to USA Hockey.

 

Sincerely,

USA Hockey Officiating Program