Officials | IHSA

Officials

IHSA Administrator

Kurt Gibson

About the IHSA Officials Department

The IHSA Officials Department oversees the licensing and testing of Illinois high school officials. Officials are licensed in 16 different sports: baseball, basketball, football, boys gymnastics, girls gymnastics, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, volleyball, water polo, wrestling, competitive cheerleading, and dance. 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.

As the end of the 2015-16 school term, there were more than 13,700 different individuals licensed with IHSA in the Officials Department. Many officials are licensed by the IHSA in more than one sport.

Member school coaches have a direct effect on the officials who work the IHSA's postseason State Series contests by rating the performance of officials throughout the school year.

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.

 


Start the Application Process

Learn more about becoming a licensed official, or start the application process!

Questions

Have a question? Email the IHSA Officials Department for a prompt reply.

Registered Officials Login Here