Upgrades
The procedure for upgrading to the next Officials Level is outlined below. Upgrades are coordinated by Supervision Coordinator in each Region.
1. To apply for reclassification, complete the form for your Region. Clicking to submit will deliver the form directly to your Region’s Supervision Coordinator.
2. Complete the required number of supervisions on other officials within your Region (see Supervisions), and ensure you are supervised the minimum number of times required by your Region. Make sure the Supervisions requirements are completed by the deadline for your Region so that your application may proceed.
3. Respond to any calls/emails from your Regional Coordinator during the season long upgrade process. A lack of response to communication often indicates a lack of care for the official receiving his/her upgrade.
From Level 1 to Level 2:
- All officials 15 years of age and older are upgraded to Level 2 upon attending a clinic and achieving 70% or better on the Hockey Canada Multiple Choice officiating exam.
From Level 2 to Level 3 - Regional Upgrade:
- Apply in writing to your Regional Supervision Coordinator before December 15.
- Be recommended to be upgraded by your regional committee.
- Be supervised by a Level 3 official refereeing at least a U18 hockey game in a three official system.
- Work as a linesperson for junior/senior hockey.
- Complete all required supervisions on other officials prior to the end of the season in which you are applying.
- Achieve 80% on the Hockey Canada Multiple Choice officiating exam.
From Level 3 to Level Member High Performance (MHP) Provincial Upgrade :
- Apply in writing to the provincial supervision coordinator before December 15. MHP UPGRADE APPLICATION >
- Be recommended to be upgraded by the provincial committee.
- Be supervised by an MHP official refereeing at least a Senior or Junior B hockey game in a three official system.
- Work as a linesperson for Junior A hockey.
- Complete all required supervisions on other officials prior to the end of the season in which you are applying.
- Attend the MHP Camp at own expense. The camp will include on ice skating testing, off ice physical testing, and classroom sessions.
- Achieve 80% on the Hockey Canada State Referees Decision (SRD) exam.
- On Ice Testing passing marks - Front 40 Meters Female 7.0 seconds, Male 6.5 seconds - Backwards 40 Meters Female 9.25 seconds, Male 8.75 seconds
- On Ice Testing passing marks - 3 Laps Female 55 seconds, Male 52 seconds - 5 Pylons Female 27 seconds, Male 25 seconds
- Off Ice Testing passing marks - Beep Test Female 7.0, Male 9.0 - Pushups Female 20, Male 25 - Front Plank Female 90 seconds, Male 120 seconds
From Level MHP to Level NHP:
- Apply in writing to the provincial coordinator before November 30.
- Application is reviewed, and if name submitted to Hockey Alberta Officials Committee, you be supervised at the Junior A, ACAC, or USport level to decide on upgrade status.
- Meet all zone expectations – completed supervisions, no discipline issues etc.
- Attend a NHP camp. The camp is a week long and will include on ice skating testing, off ice physical testing and classroom sessions.
I missed the deadline for submitting the upgrade form, can I still apply?
Yes, however there are no guarantees the application will be processed. It is important to submit the form on time so the Supervisions Coordinator can begin the review process and communicate with the interested official.
I’m not sure I meet the requirements. What should I do?
Instructors explain the level system at the annual clinics and encourage officials to apply for level upgrades. If you are close to meeting the requirements, you should apply. The committee will review your application, and at worst, you will receive quality supervisions on yourself and you will learn from supervisions you completed on others.
I have not met the minimum supervision requirements. What are my options?
We are held to Hockey Canada guidelines for upgrades. Contact your Regional Supervisions Coordinator to find out your options. Usually, you will need to reapply the following year; however, each application is reviewed on its individual merits.
Who decides if my application is approved or declined?
At the conclusion of the season, the Regional Officials Committee reviews each applicant, his/her qualifications, how they did in their supervisions, and decides on the status of the upgrade request.
How will i find out if my application for a level upgrade has been approved?
The Regional Coordinator will communicate the outcome of the application to each applicant. If the upgrade has been approved, you complete the respective level’s clinic requirements next season for participation and exam score and then you will be registered at the new level. If you have been declined, you are encouraged to apply again next year.
