Online Licensing 2026-27
Menu

Online Licensing 2026-27

Text

Officials Registration 2026-27

This year brings a significant update to how we manage officials licensing. To provide a more streamlined experience, the WIAA is moving its licensing platform from the WIAA Officials Center to Arbiter. This shift allows you to manage your licensing, testing, and rules videos all in one centralized location for officials. Registering in Arbiter is the only way to be licensed and considered “Active” to officiate High School sports across Wisconsin during the 2026-27 school year.

What You Need to Know

  • The New Portal: You will now register directly through Arbiter. If you are an existing official, your records and years of service have already been linked to ensure a smooth transition.
  • Photo Requirement: While the registration process remains straightforward, there is one new requirement: you must upload a photo of yourself to complete your registration. Please have a digital photo ready to upload when you begin the process.
  • Arbiter App: We highly recommend downloading the Arbiter mobile app. It is free and allows you to view assignments, block dates, and manage payments directly from your phone

What Isn't Changing?

  • Licensing for the upcoming year opens May 1.
  • Submit the online licensing application and pay corresponding fees.
  • If a background check is needed, the WIAA will submit information to our background check provider.
  • Rules books and exam/video information will be made available in Arbiter 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the season.
  • An officials license is good from August 1 to July 31.
  • The WIAA does not assign officials to regular season contests; that is done by either the high school athletic director or the conference commissioner.  Contact your local high school athletic director or assignor to let them know you are licensed and ready for assignments.
  • Officials are independent contractors and not employees of the WIAA or its member schools.

Register as an Official for 2026-27

Officials Registration FAQs

Arbiter FAQ

About Arbiter

The WIAA is moving its licensing from being self-hosted to being managed by ArbiterSports.  Arbiter manages more than 20 states for licensing and has over three decades of expertise to help you with issues.

In addition, Arbiter serves as an assignment platform in more than 35 states in various levels statewide licensing, so they are prepared for situations that may arise.

What is Arbiter and how does it work?

  • Arbiter.io (“Arbiter”) is the leading software for the contracting of contest officials. Arbiter has several software programs designed for assignors, schools, and officials to automate the contracting of opponents and officials.

  • Once licensed with the state, Assignors can then invite officials to join their assigning group (“conference/school”). Assignors may not invite officials who are not licensed with the state.

  • Once the official accepts this electronic invitation the official can be assigned to contests.

  • Officials must accept group invitations from assignors in order to receive officiating assignments in Arbiter.

Do officials have to use Arbiter to receive officiating assignments? Do assignors/schools have to use Arbiter to contract officials?

  • Schools and conferences can choose what scheduling platform that fits best in their district or conference.  Many across the state have chosen Arbiter to be their scheduling platform.

What scheduling platform is being used to assign the WIAA tournament series?

  • The WIAA will assign the tournament series for each sport in Arbiter.

  • Officials must have an active ArbiterPay account set up in order to be assigned during the tournament series.

Do officials have to pay to use Arbiter?

  • No. Arbiter is free to officials.

Is Arbiter free to the WIAA?

  • No. The WIAA will incur fees for many of the services utilized by its officials and schools. However, this is a more appropriate use of the WIAA’s resources to ensure the needs of the schools and officials are met.

Why is the WIAA switching to Arbiter for licensing, testing, etc. instead of continuing to self-host?

  • Allowing officials to register and take tests using the same account they use to access assignments and payments simplifies the process for officials and allows the WIAA to ensure only officials in good standing receive assignments.

  • In addition, using the resources of Arbiter and their longstanding product line allows for appropriate prioritization of resources within the limited budget of the WIAA as it services both its member schools and its officials.

Registration

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (Open May 1, 2026)

Do I have to register with Arbiter to receive an account?

  • Yes, Arbiter is now the exclusive licensing portal for the WIAA to execute the licensing process.  Officials will now have one top to manage as they handle their licensing, tests, rules videos, and other officiating items.  

  • First-time officials will establish credentials with Arbiter when they register with the WIAA. 

  • Existing officials have had their records linked in Arbiter with their existing records in the WIAA Officials Center so that years of service is not lost during this transition.

  • Existing officials automatically have credentials in Arbiter provided they were previously in an assignment group.

What happens to my WIAA official’s number?

  • Arbiter primarily uses your unique email address to separate and identify officials.  Licensing numbers will continue to be 

What is WIAA’s group #190200?

  • WIAA group #190200 is the “super” group for ArbiterSports in Wisconsin. 

  • This group is where the master WIAA eligibility roster is kept and will be the sole source of truth for current licensing.

  • This is also the account where WIAA postseason tournament assignments will be made.

  • Officials should be careful to select between their various assigning groups, or may use the unified Arbiter platform to see their cross-sport calendar.

When and how can I access my Arbiter account?

  • When you register with the WIAA for the first time you will set your username and password for Arbiter.

  • All officials with accounts can login at www.arbiter.io

  • Use the forgot password option if needed.

  • Officials are encouraged to download the Arbiter app to their phone.  

  • This free app will let you conveniently view and accept assignments, block dates, manage payments, all from your mobile device.

Contracts

How will I be notified of event changes?

  • If there is a change to an event, the official is emailed letting them know of the change.

Who do I contact if I cannot work at a contest that I have accepted?

  • You will need to contact the assigner that gave you that assignment and ask to be released from the assignment.

  • Once accepted, your initial contract for the game must be honored so it is your obligation to contact that assigner if your situation changes.

How will I be notified when I have a contract to accept?

  • Officials will get an email when they have been sent a new contest assignment.

  • They will also get a push notification if they have downloaded the app.  At that point the official can login either on a computer, tablet, or on the Arbiter App using their phone or mobile device to accept or decline that assignment.

Will I receive reminders when I have an upcoming contest to work?

  • All officials will get an email reminder for their events if the assigner has specified that the officials should get that email to them.  Assigners can even decide how many days before the event takes place that those emails go out.

Arbiter Pay

How to set up your Arbiter Pay account

  • Arbiter Pay FAQs

  • When setting up your Arbiter Pay account, you will want to use a computer and a smart phone. There are two steps where a second device is necessary. 

    • Facial Identification Photo

    • Drivers License Photo

  • You will need your Drivers License when creating your account. When taking a picture of your license, the ID card will need to fit directly in the rectangle provided.

Additional Questions

What is my user name and password for my Arbiter account?

  • Arbiter accounts use your email address as the user name.

  • Use the Forgot Password link if you no longer know your password.

  • Note: The WIAA does not have access to your ArbiterSports login credentials.

My login credentials are not working, who do I contact?

  • Click the “Forgot Password” link to request a new password to be sent by typing in your email address.

  • If the email does not arrive in a timely manner, check your email spam filter.

  • If the “Forgot Password” does not resolve the login error, call the customer support phone number at ArbiterSports which is 1-800-311-4060.

  • Note: The WIAA does not have access to your ArbiterSports login credentials.

Who do I contact for technical support?

  • WIAA staff is no longer managing the technical aspects of licensing and will refer you to Arbiter if you have issues within the system.

Will training or assistance be offered for officials on how to use the Arbiter?

How many Arbiter groups can I be a member of?

  • Each official can be a part of multiple ArbiterOne groups (conferences and local associations).

  • This will depend on how many assigners each official works for.

  • Each WIAA certified assigner has an ArbiterOne group and they will invite officials to their groups in order for officials to be issued contracts.

  • Keep in mind if you are a member of multiple groups (conferences and associations), you can only use one that is declared for postseason assignments which is to be communicated to your assigner(s).