The 2025-26 GHSA Contest Officials Handbook and Accountability Program is available on the GHSA website at the following link: Policies and Procedures for Officials
The Registration Season opens on July 1st each year for registration and for GHSA Official Pass purchases. The bottom portion of this email contains helpful links to aid you in completing registration, tests, clinics and purchasing a GHSA official pass. When completing payment in the “Review and Pay” section, uncheck any unwanted options and verify the final total before proceeding with payment (there is a tip box on the final payment screen as a reminder to double check before making payment). All fees once paid are non-refundable.
Recruitment Grant For New First Time Official:
A new official registering with GHSA for the first time (cannot be a past GHSA official in any sport) will be required to complete all registration steps in DragonFly including the registration fee payment. First time officials can apply for an Officiating Recruitment Grant by completing formal application through the local association to offset some of the initial expenses of becoming a new GHSA official. The local association will need to provide the new official with the attached grant application and after completion collect, sign and submit to the GHSA office for initial processing. Once the first contest is worked by the new official, the local association secretary must verify active status for the official in the GHSA MIS system’s “Grant Tab” before funds are made payable to the new official by the GHSA. To qualify for the Recruitment Grant the new official must officiate a jv or varsity contest at a GHSA member School (grades 9-12). Chain, ECO and Shot Clock Operator will not be eligible for the Recruitment Grant and must not be submitted for review.
Lifetime Pass for Retired Officials with 30+ Years Service:
The GHSA Executive Committee voted in Spring of 2023 to offer a Lifetime Pass free of charge to “Retired Officials” with at least 30 years of service with GHSA. Qualifying officials will need to complete the attached Lifetime Pass application and the local association will need to verify by signing and returning the application to the GHSA office (Officials must be completely retired to qualify for a Lifetime Pass). Once years of service are verified by GHSA the official will be added to the Lifetime pass list and his/her DragonFly account will be linked to the free digital Lifetime Pass. The pass is valid through June 30th of each year and the official will need to request the Lifetime Pass from his/her account at the beginning of each school year.
2025-26 GHSA Official Pass:
The Officials Pass is now purchased during registration payment check out in order for an official to bundle the registration fee and pass fee into one payment and to save on transaction usage fees. The GHSA Pass will appear on the TODAY page in DragonFly as PENDING (Not Yet Submitted) for any GHSA official purchasing the pass. Each official must click on their PENDING PASS to complete required steps 1 and 2, then Submit the pass for review. The Officials Pass will be Pending Local Association review first and once cleared by the Local Association it will be Pending GHSA review before final approval. Each official can follow the timeline of his/her pass progress by looking at the note posted underneath the Pending Pass. NOTE: An individual can only qualify for one GHSA pass and should not purchase the GHSA Official’s Pass if qualified to receive another type of GHSA pass (ex. member school pass, school system pass, lifetime pass recipients, evaluator, official with 30+ years). Official’s Pass fee is non-refundable once paid.
The GHSA Officials Pass and Lifetime Pass are digital and must be displayed in the “Center for Officials Services” app: (Officials – iPhone | Android)
“The NFHS Officials Membership Card is not the GHSA Pass and must not be used to gain entry into GHSA Contests”. (See attached Valid Season Pass Flyer for illustration)
2025 NFHS Membership Benefits:
The GHSA has opted into membership in the NFHS Officials Education Services Program, which makes each registered official of the GHSA part of the NFHS Officials Association. The below delineates membership benefits as an individual official. Note that all benefits for the NFHS Officials Association are from July 1 through June 30 of each year, regardless of when an official registers.
Liability Insurance – Member officials receive a general liability insurance policy through the NFHS carrier, Dissinger Reed. Note that the policy is supplemental in nature and covers all activities that are sanctioned by the NFHS. The coverage applies when you are engaging in officiating activities during regularly scheduled ports or activities competition, including assigning, chain crew, attending or operating officiating camps, clinics or meetings. The coverage limit summary and insurance claims packet are attached for your information and/or use.
NFHS Network Subscription – You receive a one-year subscription to the NFHS Network, from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026. Codes are issued to officials every Friday throughout the year. As officials register, they will receive their NFHS Network codes from [email protected] the Friday following their registration. Please be on the lookout for an email from that address. Codes will start being issued on July 28, 2025.
Digital Publications – As a member of the NFHS Officials Association, you may receive digital publications in the sports you have designated you officiate on the new NFHS Digital platform, as determined by your state association. This includes the rulebook, casebook, and officials’ manual for each of the sports you officiate. Note that not all sports have all three publications so you will receive what is available for your sport(s) as decided by GHSA. State associations are responsible for uploading officials into NFHS Digital (uploads usually occur when a complete set of publications for your registered sport – rules, case – are made available on the NFHS platform. Then, periodically throughout sport season to assign digital publications to newly registered or late registering officials). Local Association Secretaries can inquire with GHSA about the timing of receiving these books.
Rental Car Discounts – NFHS Officials Association members receive rental car discounts through National Car Rental (Contract ID: XZ08037) or Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Corporate #: XZ08037; PIN: NAT).
Uniform and Equipment Discounts – NFHS Officials Association members receive a 10% discount off their uniforms and equipment when they order at www.nfhsofficialsstore.com and enter code “NFHS2526” between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
Other Benefits – Members of the NFHS Officials Association are eligible for nomination for NFHS Officials Association awards through your state office and are also eligible for service on NFHS Committees.
Questions about these benefits can be directed to Dana Pappas, NFHS Director of Officiating Services, at [email protected].
Important Documents
Registration, Clinic and Examination Dates Schedule
NFHS Insurance Coverage for Officials
NFHS Officials Claims Packet 2025-26