How do I start officiating?
All officials must register and complete the pre-season requirements for eligibility to work NCHSAA assignments.
Requirements are as follows:
- Complete Registration and Payment
- Personal Information
- Background check authorization – Two responses are required
- General Registration – “NO” if wanting to be an eligible NCHSAA official
- Regional Association
- Payment
- Requirements for Eligibility Once Registered:
- Background Check
- Local Clinics Attendance
- Local Association Meeting Attendance
- Scrimmages
- State Rules Clinic
- NFHS Concussion Course
- NFHS Sport Exam
- 75 + Regular Season Eligible
- 80 + Post-Season Eligible
I’m a new official – do I have to pay a late fee?
No. We have eliminated late registration fees for new officials. Returning officials must pay a $25 late fee if registering past the individual sports deadline.
As part of a recruitment initiative, the NCHSAA will discount the registration fee for a first-time official. This is ONLY for officials new to officiating with the NCHSAA (not new to a different sport than previously officiated).
- You must first register before the NCHSAA can go into the system and waive the registration fee.
- When instructed to pay, “do not pay.” Send an email to melissa@nchsaa.org stating that you have completed the registration process up to the payment step. Our office will update your account to reflect the discounted rate ($31 for insurance and background checks).
- If you pay before the NCHSAA can waive the fee(s), you will NOT receive the discount nor a refund for the difference.
- Once completed, the NCHSAA will send a response email indicating that the fee has been waived. You will then need to make a payment to complete your registration.
I have already registered for a sport, but I would like to add a new sport. Do I need to pay the insurance fee again?
No. You pay the insurance fee once per year, regardless of how many sports you choose to officiate.
I have my own insurance. Why do I have to pay the $21?
It is mandatory that you pay the insurance, regardless of your coverage. This is not only a $1 million liability coverage plan, but it also covers catastrophic injury up to $1 million.
I missed the deadline – can I still register?
No. Unfortunately, we rarely allow registrations after the deadline. This is to ensure that all officials have books, attend clinics, and take exams prior to the start of the season.
Can I register with two Regional Supervisors?
No, we only allow officials to use one Regional Supervisor per sport. Officials are independent contractors and may register with the Regional Supervisor/local officials’ association annually.
Do I have to take the exam?
Yes. We require that the exam be taken every year. You must register for an account at exams.nfhs.org and take the exam at this site during the open testing window. You must take the exam and make 75% or above to continue officiating in our program for the sports season.
How can I get extra books?
Rulebooks are available through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) contact at 800-776-3462 or order online at nfhs.com
Officiating General Information
Am I eligible to work post-season?
Must meet all requirements for eligibility and score 80 + on the NFHS Exam.
Appealing Examination Scores
When appealing an examination score, you have 5 days from the test end date to appeal. When appealing an examination score, you have 5 days from the test end date to appeal. When making an appeal, you must list the specific questions with rule references and email the missed question to the Supervisor of Officials, Mark Dreibelbis. The appeal MUST BE IN EMAIL FORM. An appeal WILL NOT be accepted unless there is cause to issue a grade change.
Emergency Examination
There are no emergency examinations. You must complete your online exam during the testing window provided by the NCHSAA office. If you do not take the exam or make less than a 75, you are ineligible to officiate varsity and JV games for the remainder of that sports season.
Officiating Game Fees
Mark-Offs
Each Association is responsible for determining the criteria for a mark-off system, which is optional but not mandatory.
Physical Examination
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors highly recommends that each official has a physical examination before the start of their regular sports season.
Providing an escort
Schools must provide the officials with an escort to the dressing room in football, basketball, and soccer. Failure to do so will result in a penalty against the school. Officials must report to the NCHSAA if a school fails to provide the mandatory escort.
Inactive
The NCHSAA no longer provides inactive status. Since we have transitioned to the current year’s promotional points for playoff classification purposes, the inactive status no longer has any applicable bearing.
