Steps to Become an Official

New officials must complete each of the following steps to earn an official’s certification and be assigned to games. Returning Officials complete similar requirements (differences indicated below).

1. Become a member of US Lacrosse (or re-new your membership); select Washington Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association as your organization and select/add “Official” as your membership type.

• Visit US LACROSSE MEMBERSHIP to register. You must select “Washington Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association” as your chosen Officiating Organization [See: Officials/Information/My Officiating Information].
• If you are currently a member of US Lacrosse and registered as a coach, player or parent, you must call the Membership Department at (410) 235-6882 Ext. 102 and ask them to register you as an Official.
• Contact US Lacrosse Membership Department at membership@uslacrosse.org if you need assistance.

2. Take and pass a US Lacrosse NCIS Background Check if you are 18 years of age or older at the time you submit your Official’s Agreement Form.

• New officials must be a member of US Lacrosse before they can complete a background check.
• Background checks remain in effect for two years.
• Complete a background check by following these steps:
  • Visit the uslacrosse.org.
  • Click on “My Account” at the upper right corner of the page.
  • Sign in with your User Name and Password.
  • Click on “Background Check” at the left hand side of the page.
  • Follow the instructions for completing a background check.

3. Register with WWLOA by submitting an Official’s Agreement Form.

• Submit a WWLOA OFFICIAL’S AGREEMENT.

4. Complete the US Lacrosse Online Rules and Penalty Course.

• This mandatory course is designed to walk a new official through the rule book to introduce rules and penalties before a new official participates in a classroom clinic or field training. For Returners: check annually for new required segments (added when there are new rules).
• You must be registered as an official with US Lacrosse to have access to this online course.
• Visit the US Lacrosse website WOMEN’S CERTIFICATION PROCESS.

5. Attend a New Officials classroom clinic (Returners attend Returning Officials classroom clinic annually).

• Clinic fee is $25.00 for New Officials (free for Returners) with the amount paid at the clinic by cash, check, PayPal or Venmo.
• Registration for classroom clinics will be open in January.
• REGISTER FOR A CLASSROOM CLINIC.

6. Take and pass the US Lacrosse online Annual Women’s Rules Exam.

• New officials must be a member of US Lacrosse before they will receive access to online Annual Rules Exams.
• New officials in high school are designated as Junior officials and are required to pass the “Girls’ Youth Exam”.
• New officials who have graduated from high school are designated as Adult officials and are required to pass the “NFHS Girls’ Exam”.
• Visit the US LACROSSE COURSES PAGE for access to the online rules tests.

7. Participate in On-Field Training and earn a competency level (Junior Officials must do this annually). For Adults, On-Field Training is an annual requirement, unless specifically given a two or three year renewal term instead of the standard one year term.

• Register for New Official’s or Returner’s on-field training on the WWLOA website. Registration will be open in January/February.
  
  • REGISTER FOR ADULT ON-FIELD TRAINING.
  • REGISTER FOR JUNIOR ON-FIELD TRAINING.

8. Set up an ArbiterSports officiating account.

• You must have completed Steps 1 – 6 above before you will receive an invitation to set up an ArbiterSports officiating account.
• After receiving an invitation and welcome from ArbiterSports:
  • Visit ArbiterSports.com and enter sign-in information that was sent to you from ArbiterSports.
  • Check your Profile page to make sure your personal information is complete and accurate. Your Profile information must be complete, including full address and zip code, before you will receive game assignments.
  • Block dates when you are not available to officiate by going to the “Blocks” tab and selecting the dates when you are not available.
  • Block teams for which you have a conflict of interest by going to the “Teams” tab and selecting the applicable teams. Review the OFFICIALS’ CONFLICT OF INTEREST GUIDELINES for more information.
  • Set the distance you are willing to travel for an assignment by clicking on “Travel Limits” under the “Blocks” tab. You can set a different travel limit for each day of the week.
  • Check the “Ready” box on your ArbiterSports “Profile” page.
• Send an email to ARBITER SPORTS SUPPPORT or call (800) 311-4060 for assistance.

9. Set up an ArbiterPay account.

• WWLOA uses ArbiterPay to pay umpires. Your payments will be deposited directly into your ArbiterPay account.
• You must have an ArbiterSports account established before you will receive access to ArbiterPay.
• Set up an ArbiterPay account by following these steps:
  • Sign into your ArbiterSports account at ArbiterSports.com.
  • Click on “Payments” tab.
  • Click on “ArbiterPay” tab.
  • Click on “ArbiterPay” logo.
  • Click on “Sign Up Today”.
  • Follow ArbiterPay registration instructions.
• Send an email to ARBITER SPORTS SUPPORT or call (800) 311-4060
  for assistance.

You will be notified by email when you receive game assignments. You will
also be notified by text message if you have signed up for Arbiter CONNECTED
in your ArbiterSports account. It is essential you monitor your email
account on a daily basis so that you can respond to game assignments
within 48 hours.

Thank you for your preparation, and have a great season! After this initial set-up, your next seasons will be much easier.