The Arkansas Officials Association certifies all referees and umpires to officiate Arkansas high school sports, including the following: basketball, football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, softball and track.
You must be 18 years old, of good reputation and character and possessing good mental and physical health. Prospective officials must also submit to a background check to show that they have no past felony convictions.
To become a referee in Arkansas, begin by registering with DragonFly. Use this Arkansas referee registration link for a detailed explanation of the process.
Arkansas Referee Training
To become a referee in Arkansas you must pass the NFHS rules exam for your sport. In order to maintain your certification you must retest each year to demonstrate your knowledge of the rules of your sport. The grade that you receive will determine the level that you qualify to officiate.
Currently a grade of 90% allows you to work division one games. With a grade of 80% you can work in division two. To work in division three, you must score at least 70%.
All officials must view an online “rules meeting” for their sport on a yearly basis. This meeting will present any new rules as well as officiating points of emphasis. Division one referees and umpires must also attend an AOA clinic every other year. Referees in division two and three must attend this clinic every year.
For more information, go to the AOA website.
