Beginning in 2013, the GLOA began to classify adult officials into one of three categories: Registered, Approved and Certified. New officials are classified as Registered and after two years may move to Approved. Approved officials are eligible for the first round of GHSA playoffs. Certified officials are eligible for all rounds of the GHSA playoffs.
Officials must meet all requirements of their classification each year in order to maintain their status. Any official who fails a GLOA observation to maintain their current status may be demoted one classification level or more up to expulsion from the Association. The Observation Committee shall make a recommendation to the president of the Association who shall render a decision. An appeal of the decision can be made to the full Board and their decision shall be final.
Any official who does not meet the test core requirements is not eligible for playoffs at their current level. For example. an approved official who scores below an 85 is not eligible for the playoffs at all, a certified official who scores below a 90 is only eligible for the first round.**
Please note that an official attempting to advance to a higher certification level who fails an observation will be able to use the feedback they receive to improve and will be encouraged to request another observation when they feel confident they have mastered the rules and mechanics.
In order to advance to a higher classification an official must have attended all GLOA training sessions and passed an on-field observation through GLOA Observers Program
Registered
- Be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate or hold of a G.E.D.
- Be a member in good standing with the GLOA.
- Be properly registered with the GHSA.
- Complete annual GHSA Online Rules Clinic.
- Attend all GLOA annual training meetings (8 hours)..
- Score of at least 80 on the GHSA Rules Examination.
- Officiate a minimum of 8 GHSA contests.*
Approved
- Meet the requirements for a Registered official for two years.
- Score of at least 84 on the GHSA Rules Examination.***
- Pass an on-field GLOA Observation.
- Begin the process of certification in three-man mechanics.
- Officiate a minimum of 12 GHSA contests.*
Certified
- Meet the requirements for an approved official for 2 years.
- Score of at least 90 on the GHSA Rules Examination.
- Pass an on-field GLOA Observation.
- Certified in three-man mechanics.
- Officiate a minimum of 14 GHSA contests.*
* Approved and Certified officials may earn one-half the required number of contests working JV games (i.e., 2 Sub-varsity games = 1 Varsity game. Registered officials may earn all their game credits working Sub-varsity games.
** Adopted by board vote in 2019.
Transfers and Appeals
The Association Board may set policies to address members transferring into the GLOA from another Association. Any official may appeal transfer or placement decisions in writing to the Association President.
The Association President may consult with the Association Board, but the decision of the Association President is final and subject to appeal only to the GHSA.