The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) establishes the official playing rules for most high school sports across the United States, emphasizing student-athlete safety, fair competition, and consistent rule application.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) serves as Michigan’s governing body for interscholastic athletics. The MHSAA adopts NFHS playing rules while implementing state-specific regulations, administering postseason tournaments, and providing leadership and oversight for member schools throughout Michigan.

Through a partnership between the MHSAA and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), all registered MHSAA officials receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes professional liability insurance coverage, along with additional resources and support designed specifically for sports officials.

Upon completing your MHSAA official registration, you will receive the current season’s NFHS Rules Book and Case Book by mail. The cost of these publications is included in your MHSAA registration fee. Please allow approximately 4–6 weeks for delivery following the completion of your registration.

If you need your rule books sooner or wish to purchase additional copies, they are available through the Referee Training Center. Mechanics Manuals are available for download on the MHSAA website under the Sport-Specific Officials Information section.

As an MHSAA Registered Official, professionalism, preparation, and continuous improvement are essential to your success. The following best practices will help you build a strong foundation and advance your officiating career:

• • Study the Rules: Regularly review your sport’s official rule book, case book, and mechanics manual to stay current with rule changes and proper officiating techniques.
  • Maintain Physical and Mental Readiness: Keep yourself in good physical condition and mentally prepared to perform at your best throughout the season.
  • Stay Informed: Read the MHSAA Officials Guidebook, review MHSAA benchmarks, and stay up to date on sport-specific interpretations, policies, and officiating resources available through the MHSAA.
  • Seek Mentorship: Connect with an experienced veteran official who can provide guidance and support, or participate in a mentoring program offered by your Local Approved Association.
  • Participate in Training: Attend meetings hosted by your Local Approved Association and take advantage of camps, clinics, and educational opportunities to continue developing your officiating skills.
  • Keep Accurate Records: Maintain an organized schedule of your assigned contests and officiating commitments.
  • Present a Professional Appearance: Purchase the appropriate uniform and equipment for your sport, and ensure your uniform is clean, well-maintained, and game-ready.
  • Communicate Professionally: Respond promptly to phone calls and emails, and retain copies of officiating-related correspondence for your records.
  • Report Required Incidents: Submit reports of any unusual incidents or ejections to the MHSAA within 24 hours, and keep copies of all submitted reports.
  • Be Patient and Continue Learning: Most officials begin by working lower-level contests to gain valuable experience, refine their skills, and establish a strong professional reputation. Consistent effort and dedication will create opportunities for advancement.

Your MHSAA registration includes liability insurance coverage provided through the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). This coverage helps protect registered officials in the unlikely event of legal action arising from officiating duties, including allegations of gross negligence resulting in participant injury, claims involving the application of playing rules, or incidents involving physical assault.

While lawsuits against sports officials are rare, this valuable benefit provides peace of mind and an added layer of professional protection in today’s increasingly litigious environment.

In most cases, MHSAA registered sports officials are independent contractors, not employees of the schools they officiate for. Likewise, local officials’ associations and registered assigners typically do not serve as an official’s employer.

As an independent contractor (self-employed), you have the flexibility to offer your officiating services to any MHSAA member schools, athletic conferences, and registered assigners. This allows you to accept assignments from multiple organizations and manage your own officiating schedule while maintaining professional independence.

In most cases, MHSAA registered sports officials serve as independent contractors, not employees of the schools where they officiate. Similarly, local officials’ associations and registered assigners generally do not act as an official’s employer.

As an independent contractor, you have the freedom to provide officiating services to any MHSAA member school, athletic conference, or registered assigner. This flexibility allows you to accept assignments from multiple organizations, manage your own schedule, and build your officiating experience while maintaining your professional independence.

Officials are responsible for managing their own business affairs, including maintaining required certifications, tracking assignments, and complying with applicable tax laws and reporting requirements.

Game fees for contests at MHSAA-sanctioned schools are funded by the participating schools; however, payments are not made directly to officials. Instead, schools deposit officiating funds into Arbiter Sports and authorize Arbiter Sports to issue payment once an official’s assignment has been completed and approved.

Because Arbiter Sports serves as the payment processor for officiating services, it is the entity responsible for reporting eligible earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and issuing the appropriate Form 1099, when required, in accordance with federal tax regulations.

While there are limited formal training resources available for Arbiter Sports and Arbiter Pay, the platform is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. As with any online system, there may be a learning curve for new users.

If you need assistance, your assigner, trainer, or an experienced fellow official can help guide you through the setup process and answer questions about navigating the platform.

New officials should become familiar with the key features of Arbiter, including accepting or declining game assignments, managing availability through blocks, updating their personal profile, and entering banking information to receive payments through Arbiter Pay.

No. Officials are required to wear the approved officiating uniform and use the required equipment as outlined in the MHSAA Officials Guidebook and Policy Manual.

To help reduce startup costs, used uniforms and equipment are often available through donations from veteran officials or local officials’ associations. You may also compare prices and purchase approved uniforms and equipment from a variety of online retailers or sporting goods stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dunham’s Sports.

No. Registered assigners are required to assign only officials who are currently registered with the MHSAA. Arbiter Sports is integrated with the MHSAA registration system, allowing assigners to verify each official’s registration status before assignments are made.

MHSAA member schools are prohibited from using non-registered officials for MHSAA-sanctioned contests. In addition, organizations that conduct youth, church, adult, recreational, or intramural leagues are strongly encouraged to use registered officials. Utilizing MHSAA-registered officials helps ensure participants receive qualified officiating and provides organizers with officials who have met the MHSAA’s registration requirements. Relying on non-registered officials may increase the organization’s exposure to liability and risk.