IHSAA OFFICIALS

BECOME AN OFFICIAL 

Have you thought about becoming an IHSAA official?

Officials are an essential part of high school athletics and a required role in the staging of competitions. They provide leadership and guidance to participants, and ensure that competition is conducted in a safe and fair manner. Officials demonstrate a positive outlook on sports through integrity, honesty, and respect.

Becoming an official is a unique opportunity to stay involved with athletics and influence student-athletes and communities.

HOW TO BECOME AN IHSAA OFFICIAL

STEP 1: 

Create an account and register through DragonFly.

STEP 2: 

Select your preferred IHSAA sports and pay the associated registration fees.

STEP 3: 

Complete required rules exam and rules meeting with selected sports, when available.

STEP 4: 

Attend IHSAA approved rules clinic for varsity and postseason eligibility, if interested.

STEP 5: 

Contact local schools, officials associations, and/or area officials assignors to obtain contests.

OFFICIALS ASSOCIATIONS & ASSIGNORS
ORGANIZATIONCONTACTCITYEMAILPHONE
Algona Officials AssociationFred PerkinsEmmetsburg[email protected](712) 490-4061
Black Hawk Officials AssociationRobert Smith Jr.Waterloo[email protected](319) 230-7917
Cedar Rapids Athletic Officials AssociationChris HeidelbauerMarion[email protected](319) 533-0292
Cedar Valley Soccer Officials AssociationPhil WatsonCedar Falls[email protected](319) 230-9148
Central Iowa Wrestling Officials AssociationJesse McCradyAnkeny[email protected](641) 780-4618
Clarinda Officials OrganizationKeith BrothersClarinda[email protected](712) 303-0025
Des Moines Officials AssociationLarry JacobusDes Moines[email protected](515) 490-0779
Dubuque Area Soccer Officials AssociationPaul LassanceDubuque[email protected](563) 590-0487
East Central Iowa Soccer Officials Assoc.Brian D. CohenRobins[email protected](319) 294-8863
Eastern Iowa Wrestling Officials Assoc.Chris MeineckeMaquoketa[email protected](319) 480-3377
Fort Dodge Officials AssociationJim BiceFort Dodge[email protected](515) 571-3191
Greater Des Moines Umpires AssociationGeorge DavisDes Moines[email protected](515) 979-9291
Grundy County Officials AssociationCharles McCauleyReinbeck[email protected](832) 434-8996
I.O.W.A (Iowa Officials Western Assoc.)Chris GirresCouncil Bluffs[email protected](402) 657-2905
Iowa City Athletic Officials AssociationJohn MathiasIowa City[email protected](319) 430-5100
Mahaska County Wrestling Officials AssociationLanny BrandAltoona[email protected](515) 975-9602
North Iowa Area Soccer Officials AssociationCharlie RamsayMason City[email protected](641) 420-8345
North Iowa Officials AssociationKen RobbinsMason City[email protected]515-571-2390
Northwest IA Wrestling Coaches & Officials AssocMike WinklepleckSioux City[email protected](712) 870-4682
Premier Sports Officials AssociationSean JohnstonBennington[email protected](402) 319-8413
Quad City Officials AssociationJon ClarkMoline[email protected](309) 945-8119
Red Rock Officials AssociationCraig Van VarkPella[email protected](641) 628-9179
Saylorville Officials Association-BASKETBALLDan BrunsAnkeny[email protected](515) 724-4278
Saylorville Officials Association-FOOTBALLBill PrangeAnkeny[email protected](515) 210-4167
Siouxland Officials AssociationKevin EekhoffLeMars[email protected](712) 548-2722
Siouxland SOCCER Officials Association (SSOA)Patrick WiltgenSouth Sioux City[email protected](402) 987-7719
Siouxland Umpires AssociationGrant ThompsonSioux City[email protected](712) 301-3905
Southeast Iowa Soccer Officials Association Daniel LopezTiffin[email protected]563-506-3263
Southeast Iowa Officials AssociationJoshua RagarWest Point[email protected](309) 371-5020
Tri-State Officials AssociationAl StoltzDubuque[email protected](563) 451-8352
Twin Lakes Area Officials AssociationFred PerkinsEmmetsburg[email protected](712) 490-4061
Wapello County Officials AssociationBill OwensOttumwa[email protected](641) 814-2271
Waterloo Area Officials Association (WAOA)Terrance Campbell (TC)Cedar Falls[email protected](319) 504-2940
Webster City Officials AssociationChris HansenWebster City[email protected](515) 851-1973

WHO CAN BECOME AN IHSAA OFFICIAL

Anyone high school aged or older may become a registered official with the IHSAA.

Officials should have a thorough understanding of the activity for which they are officiating and possess the ability to interpret and apply the game rules. Officials who register with the IHSAA should have an enjoyment for high school activities and a desire to give something back to others who are now involved in those activities.

Refer to DragonFly for registration procedures.

DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION RATES

Students 

College: Full-time college students, currently enrolled, may register as officials for an annual fee of $20 for one sport and $12 for each additional sport. This fee is intended for students coming from high school and going into college, not former college students going back to school to take additional hours.

High School: High school students may register as officials for an annual fee of $20 for one sport and $12 for each additional sport.

Armed Forces

Current and former: Current and former military personnel may register as officials by waiving the basic registration fee and the sport fee for two years. This offer is extended to those current and former military personnel who are registering as an IHSAA sport official for the first time. The current registration fee is a basic fee of $50 for one sport, and an additional cost of $12 for each additional sport. These fees will be waived for military personnel registering for the first time (for their first two years).

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BECOMING AN IHSAA OFFICIAL

Notable Policies

  • Officials are considered independent contractors.
  • Officials from out-of-state must obtain a valid IHSAA license to officiate within Iowa.
  • All licenses expire annually after the state baseball tournament and must be renewed within one year of expiration.
  • High school students are eligible to obtain a license and officiate sub-varsity and junior high contests. 
  • Armed Forces personnel will have licensing fees waived for their first two years of officiating.
  • High school and college students receive a discounted rate for licensing fees.

Official Exams and Rules Meeting Requirements

  • All officials must score 75 percent or higher on an online open-book exam in the sport(s) for which they intend to officiate. Exams may be retaken twice if necessary.
  • All officials are required to view an online rules interpretation meeting pertaining to their sport(s) before the season begins.
  • To become varsity eligible, new officials of football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling must attend a clinic within the first three years of registration.
  • Exams and rules meetings may be found through DragonFly (ICOS).

VIEW MORE OFFICIALS INFORMATION: