The IHSA Officials Department oversees the licensing and testing of Illinois high school officials. Officials are licensed in 16 different sports: baseball, basketball, football, girls gymnastics, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, volleyball, water polo, wrestling, competitive cheerleading, competitive dance, and, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, girls' flag football. Officials are required to view an online rules presentation and take an online rules examination every year in every sport in which they are licensed.
For the the 2023-24 school term, nearly 11,000 different individuals licensed with IHSA in the Officials Department. Many officials are licensed by the IHSA in more than one sport. Officiating is a great way to learn new skills, give back to your community, make new friends, and earn some extra income.
IHSA officials utilize National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules for all applicable sports. Top IHSA officials in each sport are designated as Rule Interpreters and Clinicians. These individuals are relied upon to help relay annual rule changes to other officials, as well as to teach proper rules, mechanics and technique to new and veteran officials alike.
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Learn more about becoming a licensed official, or start the application process!