How to Become a Certified IAABO Referee
The process to become an IAABO official is straightforward.
IAABO (International Association of Approved Basketball Officials) runs an online rules course that is self-paced and available 24/7. To get started, visit the IAABO website at iaabo.org.
Under the "What We Offer" tab, you will see the IAABO Online Rules Courses. Click on the "Register" link on the High School Rules & Mechanics Course. The cost to register for the course is $75. Please note that the fee is non-refundable.
Once you have registered, you will have immediate access to the rules course with the username and password you set up during registration. From the time you enroll, you will have 90 days to complete the course and pass the 50 question IAABO University rules exam. You can go as quickly or as slowly as you want, but you only have 90 days. There are knowledge checks throughout the 20 easy to follow lessons. After each lesson, there is a quiz that requires a passing score of 80% or higher to move on to the next lesson.
Once you have passed the IAABO University exam, you will receive notification within 48 hours of your automatic enrollment in the Crew of Two Mechanics course. You must complete the rules course to gain access to the Crew of Two Mechanics course. You will have 45 days to complete the Mechanics Course and the exam, which also requires a score of 80% or higher.
Once you have passed both the rules course and the Crew of Two mechanics course, IAABO will notify the board secretary in your area that you are ready to join the local board. If you live in Bristol County, Board 30 will be the local IAABO board you will be a member of. Board 30 requires first year officials to be evaluated via a floor review. During this review you will be on the court with other graduates, officiating a live AAU game, youth or high school scrimmage. You will be observed and given feedback during the game from varsity officials from our board or other IAABO boards. This floor review gives us the opportunity to evaluate a new candidates’ skill level and floor presence.
This is also when the Board 30 dues for the upcoming year are collected, which is $110. Once you pass the floor exam, you will become a Provisional member of Board 30.
The floor review dates and times are not pre-determined and are seldom conducted during the high school season. We try our best to accommodate new graduates' schedules, but we are at the mercy of tournament assignors and we get court time when we can get court time. You can register for a floor evaluation by visiting the Massachusetts State Board of Officials Website https://www.msboa15.net/news-and-events#workshopsfloortests
In addition to dues, Board 30 has meeting requirements during the high school season. We hold six meetings during the high school season, starting mid-November and concluding in February. The first meeting is one in which IAABO requires every official to attend and is known as the Interpretation Meeting. Updates to rules and points of emphasis for the season are covered. Officials who have under 5 years of experience are required to attend the second meeting, also known as the Mechanics Meeting. Provisional members (first year members) are required to attend all 6 meetings. Meetings are typically held in person on Sunday mornings from 9-10:30am.
Good luck with the course and the exam.
We look forward to you passing the course and seeing you this Fall at our first meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.