For individuals with no soccer officiating experience, you must enroll and successfully complete an OHSAA Approved Officiating Class.

• Step 1: Take OHSAA Officiating Class
  Contact Gene Karn - DASOA Director of High School Training, enroll and complete the officiating class. Pre-registration is required. Class fees will be $55 and include the instructor's fee, application fee, rule books and testing. See the Calendar page for class schedule and details.
• Step 2: Take Officiating Exam
  The class concludes with the officiating exam.  Applicants must receive a passing score of 75% on the mechanics and rules exam and pass a field proficiency portion in order to be a licensed OHSAA official.
• Step 3: Receive Officiating Permit
  Applicants with a passing score will receive their Class 2 officiating permit in the mail within three weeks from their test date. If you do not receive your permit within this time frame, contact Kim Zaborniak at the OHSAA office (614-267-2502, ext. 110).
  Note: Applicants receiving a grade of 65% - 74% on the mechanics or rules exam may request a retest.  Applicants who do not pass the officiating exam must wait one year to re-enroll in the officiating class and start the application process over.
• Step 4: Contact your local officiating association
   
• Step 5: Annual Renewal of Permit
  Renew your officiating permit annually in the month of June.
     
• Note: During the school year in which the official becomes licensed, the state and local meeting requirements are waived.

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For individuals holding another state associations officiating permit.

• Step 1: Obtain an Officiating Application
  Contact Kim Zaborniak at the OHSAA office for an application form.  Note: Application forms are a scantron form and cannot be downloaded from our web site.
• Step 2: Mail application form and fee
  Mail completed application form, information sheet, photocopy of valid state officiating permit and required $35.00 application fee ($35 per sport) to the OHSAA, Kim Zaborniak, 4080 Roselea Place, Columbus, OH, 43214.
• Step 3: Receive officiating rule book packet in mail
  You will receive your rule books, instruction sheet, test, pocket calendar and OHSAA handbook for officials within seven days.  If you do not receive this material, contact Kim Zaborniak at the OHSAA office (614-267-2502, ext. 110)
• Step 4: Prepare for and take officiating exam
  Study the OHSAA rule books in preparation for a home exam.  Complete officiating exam provided in your rule book packet.  Mail completed test to Kim Zaborniak, OHSAA, 4080 Roselea Place, Columbus Ohio, 43214. 
• Step 5: Receive Officiating Permit
  Applicants with a passing score of 80% or higher will receive their officiating permit in the mail. Allow three weeks from mailing date. If you do not receive your permit within this time frame, contact Kim Zaborniak at the OHSAA office (614-267-2502, ext. 110).
  Note: Applicants who do not pass the officiating exam must wait one year to re-apply and start the application process over.
• Step 7: Attend Required Rules Meetings
  Officials are required to attend a minimum of four local rules meetings and one state rules meeting for each sport every calendar school year to maintain their officiating permit. Go to the Calendar page to find the rules meetings.
   
• Step 8: Annual Renewal of Officiating Permit
  Renew your officiating permit annually in the month of June.

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For experienced officials that are certified by another sport association program (USSF)

• Step 1: Obtain an Officiating Application
  Contact Kim Zaborniak at the OHSAA office for an application form.  Note: Application forms are a scantron form and cannot be downloaded from our web site.
• Step 2: Mail application form and fee
  Mail completed application form, information sheet, photocopies of officiating permits from the last three years and required $35.00 application fee ($35 per sport) to the OHSAA, Kim Zaborniak, 4080 Roselea Place, Columbus, OH, 43214.
• Step 3: Receive officiating rule book packet in mail
  You will receive your rule books, instruction sheet, test, pocket calendar and OHSAA handbook for officials within seven days.  If you do not receive this material, contact Kim Zaborniak at the OHSAA office (614-267-2502, ext. 110)
• Step 4: Prepare for and take officiating exam
  Study the OHSAA rule books in preparation for a home exam.  Complete officiating exam provided in your rule book packet.  Mail completed test to Kim Zaborniak, OHSAA, 4080 Roselea Place, Columbus Ohio, 43214. 
• Step 5: Receive Officiating Permit
  Applicants with a passing score of 80% or higher will receive their officiating permit in the mail. Allow three weeks from mailing date. If you do not receive your permit within this time frame, contact Kim Zaborniak at the OHSAA office (614-267-2502, ext. 110).
  Note: Applicants who do not pass the officiating exam must wait one year to re-apply and start the application process over.
• Step 7: Attend Required Rules Meetings
  Officials are required to attend a minimum of four local rules meetings and one state rules meeting for each sport every calendar school year to maintain their officiating permit. Check the Calendar for the rules meeting dates and locations.
   
• Step 8: Annual Renewal of Officiating Permit
  Renew your officiating permit annually in the month of June.
     

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Classification of Soccer Officials

• Class 1 – Eligible to officiate all levels.
• Class 2 – Eligible to officiate all levels except tournaments.

Officiating Classification Upgrade

• MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  NOTE: The promotion from one class to another class does not become effective until August 1, 2002 provided the official renews their officiating permit.

  • Applicant must be in their second year of officiating experience.
  • Class 2 applicants must be 18 years old.
  • Must receive a minimum of two favorable observation reports from a Class 1 official or a retired Class 1 official who observed the applicant's work in a schedules athletic contest.  The observing official may not be working the same contest as the applicant.
  • Must pass a closed book rules and mechanics examination with a minimum score of 80%.
  • All steps outlined below must be completed in the same sports season.

• Upgrade from Class 2 to 1
  • STEP 1: Contact Bob Sherman - DASOA Director of High School Training and obtain an application form and instructions regarding examination time, place and observation procedure.
  • STEP 2: COMPLETE AND RETURN THE UPGRADE APPLICATION
    Complete the top portion of the application and return it to the local association secretary.  The local association secretary will inform the applicant of testing and observation procedures.
  • STEP 3: TAKE OFFICIATING EXAMS
    Each applicant must take a closed book rules examination and a closed book mechanics examination (if available) - NO EXCEPTIONS. 
    Passing score is 80% on each examination.
  • STEP 4: SUCCESSFULLY PASS OBSERVATION OF OFFICIATING IN  TWO SCHEDULED ATHLETIC CONTESTS
    The observation of the applicant will be conducted according to local association standards and procedures.  DASOA requires one observation/assessment as referee in a 3 man diagonal system of control and one observation/assessment in a 2 man system. Both observations must be signed by the observing assessor.  Observations may not be conducted by an official working in the same athletic contest as the applicant official.
    • Request an observation/assessment
  • STEP 5: MUST RECEIVE ENDORSEMENT OF LOCAL OFFICIATING ASSOCIATION
    Local association officer must endorse the applicant has successfully completed the upgrade requirements and recommend their promotion.

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High School Game Fees