Get season ready!

New and Returning officials must complete a series of steps each year to either earn or renew their official's certification. Once you've completed the necessary requirements, you'll be matched up with games through ArbiterSports.

We want to make your experience as seamless as possible: if you have questions or concerns about the certification process or training requirements, please reach out to us at admin@wwloa.org

Follow the checklist below to ensure you are certified to hit the field this season!

1. USA Lacrosse Membership

Ensure that your USA Lacrosse membership is up-to-date for the upcoming season. Please read this carefully, and do not skip this step!

New officials will need to create an account and Returning officials will need to renew their membership. If you are currently a member of USA Lacrosse and registered as a coach, player or parent category, you must update your membership (to add "Official" and "Washington Women's Lacrosse Officials Association") online within your account. If you are a New Junior Official, you must call the Membership Department at (410) 235-6882 Ext. 102 and ask them to register you as an "official". They will help you create your own USALacrosse access to resources as an official.

Updating your membership category to include "Official" will unlock access to online training resources (like a mandatory rules course, and the rules test). Renewing thereafter should be easier and can be done online.

Contact USA Lacrosse Membership Department at membership@usalacrosse.com if you need assistance.

USA Lacrosse Membership

2. official's agreement form

All Officials must complete the WWLOA Official's Agreement Form annually prior to officiating as a WWLOA member. Have your USAL member # and expiration date ready.

Complete the form

3. ncis background check

A Background Check (free with USAL membership) is required if you are 18 or older when you submit your Official’s Agreement Form.

Complete a background check (valid for 2 years) by following these steps.

Visit usalacrosse.com.
Click on “My Account” at the upper right corner of the page.
Sign in with your User Name and Password.
You'll find the link to the Background Check under "Menu" (3 small red lines) on the upper right corner of the page
Follow the instructions for completing a Background Check.

go to usa lacrosse

4. USA lacrosse online rules course & Annual Professional Development Module

> Complete the USA Lacrosse online "Girls Lacrosse Rules Course" *once*

> Every year thereafter, complete the Women's Game Officials Annual Professional Development Module

The Girls Rules Course is designed to walk officials through the rule book to introduce rules and penalties BEFORE a new official participates in a classroom clinic or field training. Both new and returning officials must complete annual Professional Development Module (much shorter than the full course). You must be registered as an official with USA Lacrosse to have access to these.

Found after you log in to your account/Menu/E-Learning.

5. Attend a classroom clinic

All Officials must attend a Classroom Clinic prior to the upcoming season.

Classroom Clinics are typically held in January & February. They are free for Returning Officials and $25 for New Officials. When registration is open in the fall/winter, use the link below to view and register for an upcoming session.

If you have any questions about the Classroom Clinics, please reach out to education@wwloa.org.

classroom clinics

6. Pass the annual usA lacrosse rules test

All Officials must take and pass an annual Girls Rules Exam online.

Adult and Junior officials take their respective tests each year:

Adult officials who only officiate HS games are required to pass the USAL "Girls High School Rules Exam”.
Adult officials who officiate both HS and Youth games are required to pass the USAL "Girls Youth & High School Rules Exam."
Junior officials are required to pass the USAL “Girls Youth Rules Exam”.

Adult Officials covering only NCAA or College-Club games, must take the appropriate rules online test as well as other requirements - see www.CWLOA.org, the governing body for NCAA/College Club officials for more info.

The USAL Girls Rules tests will be available on the USA Lacrosse website for members who have "official" in their membership category.

7. Attend an on-field training

All New Officials, All Junior Officials, and many Returning Officials are required to participate in on-field training to earn a rating.

On-Field Training is typically held in March each year. Use the link below to view and register for an upcoming training.

You can skip this step if you are a Returning Adult Official in good standing with a current multi-year rating. If you aren't sure what your rating is, please email registrar@wwloa.org.

on-field training

8. arbiter sports account

ArbiterSports is used to manage all aspects of game assignment and payment of Officials.

If you are a New official, you must complete Steps 1-7 above before you receive an invitation to setup an ArbiterSports account. Returning officials should also complete Steps 1-7 and ensure that their contact information is up-to-date.

Once you have your account updated - it is vital that you set your calendar blocks and travel limits for the season. Use the guides below to walk through setting your blocks and travel limits. Your calendar blocks can be adjusted at anytime to match changes in your personal schedule.

We have already paid for WWLOA members' access to the ArbiterMobile app. Download the app on your phone for much easier access to game information.

For Arbiter questions or problems, send an email to support@arbitersports.com call (800) 311-4060 for assistance.

Go to Arbiter

9. arbiter pay account

WWLOA uses ArbiterPay to pay officials. 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
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 support@arbitersports.com call (800) 311-4060 for assistance.

go to arbiter