Certification Steps

Steps to become a Certified Lacrosse Official in Indiana

<CLICK HERE>> for visual instruction on how to access courses and tests at USA Lacrosse:

  • All participants in Indiana lacrosse are required to be members of USA Lacrosse, including players, coaches and officials.  This ensures that everyone receives the same rules information as well as insurance coverage for any lacrosse-related incidents.  
  • Membership is $55 for adults, $35 for under 23, and includes a rule book – which you will need to pass the rules exams.
  • Here is the link to sign up:  http://www.usalacrosse.com/membership
  • This course is a lacrosse introduction/refresher.  It’s broken up into sections so you can complete it at your own pace, and shouldn’t take more than 60-70 minutes overall.  The sections are not long, but there are periodic “quizzes”, so plan on staying at your phone/tablet/computer.
  • Use your USAL username and password to login at usalacrosse.org
  • Select “E-Learning”
  • Locate and complete the following course:
    • Boys Officials – 2024 Annual Professional Development
  • These are open-book exams, so have the following before you start:
  • Navigate to the USAL E-Learning platform described above.
  • Locate and complete the following tests:
    • Exam – 2024 – Boys Lacrosse High School Rules
    • Exam – 2024 – Boys Lacrosse Youth Rules
  • There are icons under each exam that let you open and print a copy of the exam.  We highly recommend that you print a copy and complete it offline.  They even list the applicable rule for reference.
  • When you are ready, return to the course and enter your answers. 
  • Your NFHS rule book.  If you haven’t received yours yet from USAL, you can wait to take the exams until after a training session.
  • The 2-Man Mechanics manual (found here: 2-Man Mechanics).  This material is also covered during training.
  • We will hold 8 (weekly) online training sessions. New officials must attend at least 4, plus the Rules Update session. See our training schedule for dates and session descriptions. 
  • Dues can be paid online or by bringing a check to the clinic.  The cost for 2025 is $70 for Adults, free for Youth and New officials.   Dues are used to pay for Arbiter account fees, training expenses, observations, supplies, etc.  No compensation is made to directors or officers for serving in those roles aside from waiving their annual dues.
  • Here is info on how to make an online payment:  Payment Links
  • As an ILOA member, you are provided an “officials” login to our group account on ArbiterSports, and will receive an email inviting you to join. 
  • Upon logging in (and selecting ILOA if you belong to other groups), you must check the box “Ready to be assigned” on the right, just below the menu.  Unless this box is checked, assigners will not see you as available, so you will not receive any game assignments.
  • You have the ability (and responsibility) to block full or partial days when you are unavailable.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep your calendar blocks updated.  The more games you decline, the more work for our assigners, the more they will question your desire to officiate, and the fewer games they will offer you.
  • You may also enter limitations on the distance you are willing to travel for games.  The site makes these calculations automatically, so you can define your starting point on weekdays or weekends by entering your home and work zip codes (see Blocks->Travel Limits).  Out-of-region travel is handled differently.  Please refer to our fee schedule for information on regions and mileage reimbursement.
  • Check out our Reference and training materials page for a variety of instructional videos for navigating the ArbiterSports site. 
  • Being paid to officiate makes us professionals, and we owe it to ourselves, our crew members, and our association to look the part.
  • Basic uniform includes:  hat, jersey, black shorts and belt, black ankle socks, and all-black shoes.
  • Basic equipment includes:  whistle, flags, small tape measure, 20-second timer, and scorecard.
  • See the Equipment and uniforms page for further details and where to find everything you need.
  • This is where you get to step on the field and work alongside experienced officials.  We will employ shadowing and sideline evaluations to help you put your classroom learning and self-study into action.
  • Scrimmage dates will appear here as they are scheduled. 

DISCLAIMER:  Please note that while ILOA strives to prepare all new and returning officials to work youth and high school lacrosse games, we are a volunteer organization with limited resources.  As a result, the certification process depends heavily on the efforts of the individual.  Learning the rules and mechanics, taking the exams, acquiring equipment, and developing field presence are all required tasks that can’t be accomplished solely in a classroom or at a scrimmage.  Each individual will progress at his or her own pace, and some may not be ready to assume a role of authority when games are assigned.  Because of this, ILOA cannot guarantee game assignments.  If you have questions about your readiness and how you might accelerate it, please don’t hesitate to ask our trainers, observers and assigners.