IHSA Officials Department FAQ
Applications and Added Sports
Q. I would like to become an official. What should I do?
A. The following are four ways to obtain an application:
- Call the IHSA Office (309) 663-6377 and request an application.
- Send a written request to P.O. Box 2715, Bloomington, 61702-2715, with your name and address.
- Visit our Web site at www.ihsa.org and fill out a request form.
- Print the application from the IHSA website.
It will take about one week to receive the application.
Q. How long does it take to become a licensed official?
A. Applicants should allow at least four (4) weeks for the entire application process.
Q. I am licensed in one sport and would like to add another. How do I go about adding a sport? How long does it take?
A. To add a sport, you must first inform the IHSA of your interest. Then you must take the sports exam and pass it with a grade of 80% or higher. You may not officiate an added sport until you have passed the test and received a new card with the added sport listed on it. To add a sport you will need to send your request for added sport in writing to the IHSA Officials Department. Include your name, address, Social Security number or ID number and $15.00 per sport you wish to add in your request. The process for adding a sport takes about two (2) weeks.
Q. Do I have to take the Football Mechanics exam in order to become a licensed football official?
A. No. The Mechanics test is only required for promotion.
License Renewals
Q. Do I have to renew my membership every year? If so, what is the cost?
A. An IHSA Official's License expires every June 30, regardless of when it becomes effective. An official must renew his/her license each year before the June 30 expiration. To renew a license, the cost is $40.00 for the first sport and $15.00 for each additional sport. If you do not have a renewal form you will need to call the Officials Department and make arrangements to have one sent to you.
Q. When do renewal notices go out?
A. Renewal notices are mailed to all licensed officials around the end of May each year.
Q. What should I do if I don't get my renewal form?
A. If you have not received a renewal form by June 15 each year you should call the IHSA Office. They will check your mailing address and send out a duplicate notice.
License Requirements
Q. Is it mandatory to attend a rules meeting every year?
A. Yes. You must attend a rules interpretation meeting every year in every sport you are licensed. The penalty for not attending is probation or suspension.
Q. Is it mandatory to take the rules exam every year?
A. Yes. You must submit an exam every year for every sport in which you are licensed. The penalty for not submitting an exam BY THE DEADLINE on the test is probation or suspension.
Q. I attend a rules interpretation meeting out of state. How can I get credit in Illinois?
A. If an official attends a rules interpretation meeting in another state, it is the responsibility of the official to request that the IHSA be notified by that state.
Q. I submitted a rules exam in another state. Can I get credit in Illinois?
A. No. You must submit an Illinois rules exam, by the deadline on the exam. Failure to do so will result in probation or suspension.
Q. May I get credit for attending a clinic in another state? What about another governing body's clinic (e.g., USA Volleyball)?
A. No. You must attend an IHSA Certified Clinic conducted by an IHSA Certified Clinician in order to receive credit for this requirement.
Q. May an official be active in one sport and inactive in another?
A. Yes. But there is no cost savings associated with this scenario.
Ratings by Coaches
Q. Are fall baseball and softball coaches required to submit ratings on officials used for fall contests?
A. No. The requirement is only for the season in which the state series in conducted.
Ratings by Officials
Q. As a "certified" official, am I required to rate my fellow officials?
A. No. However, you are strongly encouraged to rate them online
Q. How often may I rate my fellow officials?
A. Once, and only officials you have observed or worked with.
Q. May I rate myself?
A. No.
Reciprocity
Q. May an official have reciprocity in one sport and a regular license in another?
A. No.
Scan Forms
Q. May I just fax any scan form (Part I answer sheet, renewal, etc.) or send a photo copy of the form back to the IHSA in order to meet the deadline?
A. No. Scan forms are read by a machine. Only the originals can be processed.
Q. Do I really need to fill in all the bubbles on the forms? Can I just strike through them?
A. The scan forms can only be read by the machine if the bubbles are filled in completely. In addition, officials information MUST be completed (i.e., ID number, etc.), otherwise the form cannot be processed and the official may not get the proper credit.
Q. How can I be sure the IHSA has received my scan form?
A. Officials may now check the appropriate site on the IHSA Web Page to verify that the IHSA has received the form.
Uniforms and Patches
Q. I often see officials working that are not in the proper IHSA uniform (including lack of patches). What, if anything, can be done?
A. The IHSA encourages you to complete and submit a Special Report Form to report an official working out of uniform. The only way to correct the problem is to do something about it.
Q. I received two patches with my membership card. Do I have to wear the patches when I officiate?
A. It is mandatory that all officials properly wear the IHSA patch on their uniform for every game or match they officiate.
Q. Since it is mandatory that I wear my officials patch, I need more than the number I was originally supplied. How can I get extra patches for my extra uniforms?
A. The cost of a patch is $1.00 per patch. Send the IHSA your name, address, social security number or ID number, and the number of patches you desire, along with proper payment.
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