Become an Official

LICENSING WINDOWS for 2026-27 Season

• Opens May 1, 2026 for all sports
• Closes the first day of that sport's tournament series (excluding Swim & Dive and Soccer) 
  • Example: Basketball Licensing closes for the 2026-27 season February 23, 2027. 
• The following day registration will open up for the 2027-28 season
  • Example: Registration Licensing opens on February 24, 2027 for the 2027-28 Basketball season.

• Fall Sports - July 1
• Winter Sports - October 1
• Spring Sports - January 1

1. Submit the online licensing application and pay fees. To access the online application, go under Officials and select Online Licensing 2026-27.

2. Once the application is received you will receive a confirmation email from the WIAA.  All new officials will need to complete a background check. Please check with the WIAA office if you are unsure if you need to complete a background check because you have been licensed in the past. 

   • If a background check is needed, the WIAA will initiate a background check with our service provider.  Once the WIAA receives the background check results, the application will be processed. 

   • If no background check is needed, your application will be processed immediately.

3. Rules books and exam/video information will be sent about 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the season.

   • In order to advance in classification, officials need to complete the exam by indicated date (and score the required percentage) and watch the rules video by indicated deadline date every year. In order to advance to L5 and Master officials need to have the required amount of varsity contests listed in their profile. 

   • A detailed description of all classification advancement requirements can be found in the Sport Officials Guide.

• 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 to let them know you are licensed and ready for assignments.

• If there is an official's association in your area, it is highly recommended you join the association. Being a member of an association is very beneficial as they oftentimes provide additional training and can help in getting you game assignments.

• Officials are independent contractors and not employees of the WIAA or its member schools.

Students enrolled at WIAA member schools may apply to become WIAA Licensed Officials. 

• An officials license is good from August 1 to July 31.  The renewal period for high school officials starts August 1.

• If you will be a high school student for the current school year, you do not have to pay any licensing fees but you must license through your high school athletic director. 

• Once the application is received you will receive an email from the WIAA indicating that. 

• High school students are not required to completed the background check. Your application will be processed immediately.

• Sport Officials Guide

• Online rules exams and videos will be available on the WIAA website about 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the season. 

• Individuals in high school may apply for licensing and officiate contests up to and including the 9th grade level. High school students, classified as Limited/Restricted (L/R), are allowed to officiate subvarsity contests in all sports except hockey as long as they are assigned with a fully licensed, non-high school official. High school age officials are also able to be assigned as lines people for varsity contests in soccer. Note: After 2 years experience as a L/R official there is opportunity for advancement to L2 upon high school graduation with verification.

• 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 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.

Current and Former Members of the Armed Forces

The WIAA continues to offer individuals that have served or are still serving in the Armed Forces the opportunity to license as a WIAA sport official by waiving the basic licensing fee and the sport fee.

This offer is extended to those individuals that are licensing as a WIAA sport official for the first time or renewing their license. 

Military Verification Form- for use only by individuals that have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. When completing this form, please provide some type of documentations verifying military service.

Military: Accepted forms and documents include DD Form 214 (Discharge), OMPF, NGB Form 22, Letter of Verification. For active duty/reserve documents: Leaves and Earning Statements, Common Access Card, and Orders.  Additional forms may be submitted and reviewed internally by WIAA staff. PDF, .jpeg, or .png format preferred.

Once the Military Verification Form has been received, you will receive a coupon code to enter during your registration process that will waive the basic licensing and corresponding sport fees.

Officials who reside in Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota may license as a WIAA reciprocity official. 

• An officials license is good from August 1 to July 31.  The renewal period for the next year starts August 1, but there is no late fee for reciprocity officials. 

• Submit the online licensing application and pay fees. To access the online application, go under Officials and select 2026-27 WIAA Reciprocity Registration. You will need proof of your home state license when applying.  To submit proof please submit a Reciprocity Verification Form.  A PDF, .jpeg, or .png file is preferred that contains the year and sports licensing for in your home state.

• Once the application is received you will receive an email from the WIAA indicating that, if you you need to complete the Authorization Form for a Background Check (there will be a link in the email to this form). Please check with the WIAA office if you are unsure if you need to complete a background check because you have been licensed in the past. 

• If a background check is needed, once the WIAA receives the background check results, the application will be processed. If no background check is needed, your application will be processed immediately.

• Reciprocity officials will not receive rule books and are not required to take the exam. The rules video information will be sent about 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the season.

• Sports Official Guide

• 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 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.

Wisconsin officials who officiate in a bordering state must contact that association for reciprocity materials: 

*Wisconsin offers reciprocity to Illinois licensed officials. Illinois does not offer reciprocity to Wisconsin licensed officials.