Q. What if I take the class and do not pass the rules test?
A. You have not met the requirements to become an “approved” official and, thus, will not be
assigned basketball games by Board 36.
Q. How many games does a first year official typically get assigned?
A. This depends on a number of things, availability being the most important one. The average
first year official will get between 10-20 games, if they have regular availability.
Q. What level games does a candidate get assigned to officiate?
A. Most Candidates are assigned Modified (7 th and 8 th grade) games during their first year.
Q. What days and times are the games?
A. Most Modified games begin between 4:00 and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Some schools
occasionally play later, beginning at 6:00 pm and there are some schools that play on Saturday
mornings at 10:00 and/or 11:00.
Q. How does the Assignor know when I am available to referee?
A. Board 36 uses a scheduling software called Arbiter Sports. This allows officials to “block”
particular days and times. For example, if you work evening on Tuesdays and would not be able
to officiate on Tuesdays, you can block all Tuesdays and you will not be assigned games on
Tuesdays.
Q. What if my wife and I work at different schools, my son plays on a school team at a third school
and my brother coaches the varsity at another school? Should I referee any of those schools?
A. No. The Arbiter also allows you to block schools also. If you have a real or perceived conflict of
interest with a school, you can block them which will prohibit you from officiating that school.
Q. When does the season start and end?
A. The Modified season typically runs from the first week of December through the middle of February.
Q. What is the pay for officiating a Modified game?
A. Click here for updated Game fee information
Q. Can I also officiate CYO, CDYBL, AAU, etc. games?
A. Yes. Those games are assigned by independent Assignors who typically hire local officials. Many
IAABO Board 36 officials also referee these games. These games typically pay between $30 and
$40.
Q. How do I advance from a Modified referee and become a Varsity referee?
A. After you begin your second year of officiating, you can take a “Floor Test” where you are
evaluated by members of the Board 36 Membership Committee. Varsity officials also provide
evaluations on you throughout the year. The Membership committee uses this information to
to come to an informed decision whether an official should remain a Candidate, or if they should be elevated to
Probationary status. Once moved to a “Probate”, it is typically a two year evaluation period in
order to advance to Varsity status.
Q. How long does it take to advance to Varsity status?
A. Varsity status is not a status that is achieved by all. This varies greatly from official to official.
There are a lot of factors that vary, including but not limited to:
- Ability (Rules knowledge and adjudication, communication, professionalism and game
management skills, etc.) - Not all officials are interested in becoming Varsity officials.
- All officials come with varying basketball experience
- Officials availability, commitment and effort varies
- Each official’s personal situation (family life, job responsibilities and hours, physical conditioning, etc.) varies. This plays an important role in advancement.Past experience shows that many officials decide after one or two years that officiating is not for them. Many officials will officiate for several years, but remain at the Modified through JV
levels. Many officials will advance to Varsity status. This usually takes 5-8 years.
Q. Who can I contact for additional information?
A. Calvin Pitts, Board 36 Secretary, at czpitts@gmail.com .