Who can join
Any person may apply for active membership in NIHOA. You join through a local chapter: the chapter for the area where you live.
Each chapter sets its own membership qualifications and fees. Every chapter’s qualifications include passing a written examination on ice hockey rules and completing a skating test, both given by the chapter.
Step by step
- Find your chapter. Look up the chapter for the area where you live in the chapter directory.
- Tell us you’re interested. Fill in the short interest form with your contact details, your chapter and your officiating experience. Your request is reviewed by your chapter and by NIHOA nationally.
- Get your invitation. When both reviews approve your request, you receive an invitation link to create your account on this site. An invitation is not membership approval, and it does not waive any fees.
- Register for the season. From your member account, complete your season registration, including dues. Registration for 2026-2027 (DO NOT REGISTER) opens December 31, 2026.
- Pass the exams. Your chapter gives its written rules examination and skating test. On this site, new applicants must also pass the NIHOA officials exam online, from their member account, before their membership is approved.
- Approval. Your chapter or the national office approves your membership once the requirements are met.
Special cases
- Family of a member. An immediate relative of a NIHOA member (father, son, brother, mother, daughter, sister or spouse) may apply to that member’s chapter instead.
- Your chapter isn’t taking applicants. If the chapter where you live is not accepting applicants in a given year, you may apply to a chapter whose area borders it. You then stay with that chapter unless you move; Article IV of the Constitution has the details.
- Moving. A member may transfer to another chapter only after moving into that chapter’s area, or may stay with their old chapter. A transfer is requested in writing to the secretary of your current chapter and must be approved by both chapters.
- Coming back. A former member may be reinstated to active membership by applying to their chapter. In some cases the Board of Directors must also approve.
Staying a member
Every chapter gives its members a written rules examination each year. National dues are set each year by the Board of Directors at its annual meeting.
Honorary membership
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, and was in good standing with the chapter on retiring. A chapter may also nominate a former active member who has died, or who can no longer officiate because of illness or injury. 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.