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.  
  • Adult Membership (18 and over) is $65. They have apparently eliminated the discount for college-aged members.
  • Junior Officials (17 and under) is $50 (the base rate of $40 plus another $10 for the “official” addon).
  • Membership includes a digital rule book – which you will need to pass the rules exams. Printed copies are available in the USAL Store.
  • Here is the link to sign up:  http://www.usalacrosse.com/membership
  • You must include the “Official” designation under “Lacrosse Involvement”.

  • If you are already a member as a player or coach:
    • You must update your account Profile to add “Official” to Lacrosse Involvement.
    • If you are registered under a parent’s account, he/she must modify your profile for you. They can do this by selecting the “My Household Users” option and then editing your user.

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” or “My Transcript”
  • Under “Course Packages”, locate and add the following course by clicking the “+”:
    • Boys Officials – 2026 Annual Professional Development
  • Then select “Enrolled Courses” and complete the required sections.
  • Notes:
    • Some users have been automatically enrolled in the officiating coursework after updating their Involvement.
    • You do not need to complete any items that are not required, especially those with an additional cost.
  • These are open-book exams, so have the following before you start:
    • Your NFHS rule book.  USAL provides a free digital version to officials*, or you can order a printed version here: https://shop.usalacrosse.com/products/2026-nfhs-printed-rulebook-boys
      • *Note: If you are already a USAL member as a player or coach and adding “official” to your profile, contact us for details on how to claim your digital rule book.
    • The 2-Man Mechanics Manual (found here: 2-Man Mechanics).  This material is also covered during training.
  • Navigate to the USAL E-Learning platform described above.
  • Locate and complete the following tests:
    • Exam – 2026 – Boys Lacrosse High School Rules
    • Exam – 2026 – Boys Lacrosse Youth Rules
    • Note: Both exams are required, as the “Youth Rules” merely add modifications to base NFHS rules. 
  • These online exams give you 2 chances on each question to get the right answer.
  • Our association training continually evolves, but we always hold online sessions in January and February prior to the Spring season.
  • We also offer training in conjunction with the MaxLax Indoor league in the Fall and Winter. These sessions are more individualized and therefore limited to a handful of individuals.
  • See our training schedule for dates and session descriptions. 
  • Association 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.
  • Dues for 2026 is $70 for Adults, free for Youth and New officials.  
  • Here is info on how to submit 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.  Once you are logged in, please tend to the following:

  • Ready to be Assigned – Under the “Dashboard” tab, check the box “Ready to be assigned” at the top left.  Unless this box is checked, assigners will not see you as available, so you will not receive any game assignments.
  • Notification Settings – Some people don’t check email very often, leading to missed game assignments. For this reason we request you have Notifications/Alerts also sent to your cell phone. It’s the top item on the “Settings” tab.
  • Block Unavailable Dates – Under the “Blocks” tab. 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 reliability, and the fewer games they will offer you.
  • Travel Limits – 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).  Be aware that a low number may put you out of range for a significant number of game venues.
  • Check out our Reference and training materials page for instructional videos on 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. First impressions matter.
  • 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 competency on the field 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.