Experienced Officials, New to DCHOA
If you're already a registered hockey official, whether you've officiated in another part of Wisconsin, moved here from out of state, or are returning to officiating after time away with another association, welcome to DCHOA. This page covers what's different about joining us compared to starting out as a brand-new official.
DCHOA assigns officials for most youth hockey and some adult hockey in Dane County. We also assign officials for most Big 8 and Badger Conference boys and girls high school (WIAA) hockey, which use the NFHS rulebook.
📋 USA Hockey Registration
If you already hold a USA Hockey officiating number, you'll still need to renew your registration each season, the same as any official. Visit the USA Hockey Membership Page to renew and confirm your current level.
If you haven't yet registered with USA Hockey for this season, follow the USA Hockey registration instructions on the first-year officials page. If you have taken a few years off, please contact us so that we can help you return to USA Hockey officiating at the appropriate registration level.
📋 Joining DCHOA
Even with prior officiating experience, you'll still need to create a DCHOA account to be eligible for local game assignments:
- Use the Sign Up button at the top of any page on this site.
- Select Official from the list of options.
- Enter your contact information, including your existing USA Hockey officiating number.
- Read and agree to the DCHOA waivers and rules.
- Submit payment by credit/debit card or PayPal.
Your DCHOA scheduling account will activate once your USA Hockey registration for the season is confirmed.
📋 Special Registration Situations
Depending on where you've been officiating, there may be an additional step or two before you're fully set up in Dane County. Here's what to know based on your situation:
Wisconsin Officials from Outside Dane County
If you are registered with USA Hockey with an address outside Dane County, please contact our registrar so that we know to look for your registration data.
Officials from Outside Wisconsin (Central District)
If you are already registered as a USA Hockey official in another state in the USA Hockey Central District (Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri), please contact our registrar so that we know to look for your registration data.
You will also need to register with WHOA in order to officiate in Wisconsin. This is a Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association rule. Follow the instructions on the WHOA site to complete this step.
Officials from Outside the Central District
If you are already registered as a USA Hockey official from outside the Central District, please contact our registrar directly for instructions specific to your situation.
🏫 Considering High School Hockey? (Optional, Adults Only)
If you're an adult official interested in officiating WIAA high school games, let us know (note that the WIAA does not allow student officials for hockey).
DCHOA assigns officials for most Big 8 and Badger Conference games. High school assigning is done in three blocks: from the start of the season (the weekend before Thanksgiving) until Winter break, Winter break (including holiday tournaments) through early January, and the rest of the season. WIAA game assigning typically begins in October, so register early.
WIAA registration is a separate step from USA Hockey and DCHOA. Contact us if you're interested, and we'll walk you through it and include your WIAA registration status in our system.
Getting to Know Dane County
Local knowledge matters even for experienced officials. Rink locations, referee room setups, and local procedures vary by association. Check out our Rink Maps and Referee Rooms page to get familiar with where you'll be working this season. If you have any questions about local rinks or procedures, please let us know.
🤝 Have Questions?
Whether you're unsure about your registration status, your level, or how DCHOA scheduling works, our registrar is here to help you get settled in quickly.