Frequently Asked Questions

Any person may apply for active membership. You apply through a local chapter, which sets its own qualifications and fees. Every chapter’s qualifications include passing its written examination on ice hockey rules and completing its skating test.

The chapter for the area where you live. There are two exceptions: an immediate relative of a NIHOA member (father, son, brother, mother, daughter, sister or spouse) may apply to that member’s chapter, and if your home chapter is not accepting applicants in a given year you may apply to a chapter whose area borders it.

Find chapters in the chapter directory.

Fill in the interest form. Your chapter and NIHOA’s national reviewers look at your request, and if it is approved you receive an invitation link to create your account and register. The How to Join page walks through every step.

No. The interest form, and any invitation that follows, is not membership approval, and an invitation does not waive any fees. Your chapter or the national office approves your membership once the requirements are met.

Each chapter’s membership qualifications include a written examination on ice hockey rules and a skating test, both given by the chapter. On this site, new applicants must also pass the NIHOA officials exam online, from their member account, before their membership is approved.

Yes. Every chapter gives its members a written rules examination each year, and NIHOA has issued an Annual Rules Examination to its chapters every year since 1957. Over the years it grew to cover USA Hockey and National Federation of High School rules as well as NCAA rules.

National dues are set each year by NIHOA’s Board of Directors at its annual meeting, and each chapter sets its own fees. Your dues are shown in your member account when you register. Registration for 2026-2027 (DO NOT REGISTER) opens December 31, 2026.

The current season’s dates are always on the Join page.

Only when you move into another chapter’s area, and you may also choose to stay with your old chapter. A transfer is requested in writing to the secretary of your current chapter and must be approved by both chapters.

Honorary membership recognizes long service. A chapter may nominate a former active member who was a member in good standing for at least 10 years and officiated for at least 10 years; the Board of Directors votes on nominations at its annual meeting. Honorary members are members for life, without the right to vote or the obligation to pay dues.

See NIHOA’s honorary members.

In 1956 NIHOA was selected as the officials’ organization to service ECAC hockey, and it developed a strong relationship with the NCAA. NIHOA has been represented each year at the NCAA Rules meeting since 1965, NIHOA and the ECAC began a series of co-sponsored clinics in 1984, and NIHOA officials are selected each year to officiate NCAA Championships.

Read our history.

Use the contact form to reach NIHOA. Your chapter’s contact is in the chapter directory, and the national officers and their role addresses are on the Leadership page.

Through your chapter. Orders can only be placed by chapter officers; members cannot place individual orders, and individual orders will not be processed. Ask your chapter’s officers, or see Crest and Rule Book Ordering.

Start with the Injured Official Claim Form Request. Once your request has been reviewed you receive a follow-up email from DocuSign with a link to fill out and submit the claim form online, for processing with NIHOA’s insurance carrier. The form should be filled out only by the injured official.

Questions: Michael Komich, secretary@nihoa.com.

Yes. NIHOA members can look at optional supplemental insurance from Aflac, including Aflac Accident Protection Assurance and Aflac Cancer Protection Assurance. Details are on the AFLAC Optional Coverage page.