Update April 3, 2026

Dear OBHF Officials, 

The 2026 Regular Season Certification Clinic registration is well under way!

2025 was a record breaking year with the registration and certification of over 500 referees. With the continued growth of the OBHF, this clinic season will be busy. As a result of this expansion, along with several rule changes and new policies, this year’s certification will look different than past years. Those changes will be explained in the sections below.

NEW 2026 – MANDATING POLICE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR OFFICIALS 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. CURRENTLY ON HOLD – PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION IS FOR PROVINCIAL EVENTS.

Note: There are 3 Google forms to choose from at the bottom of this page for Registration purposes. 

New 2026 – Late fees are now in effect (registration post-March 31, 2026). Fees now will be: Minors – $40 & Adults – $75

Note: The ‘Ice Hockey Experience’ Form is NOT for registration, it is reserved for ice hockey officials new to ball hockey seeking ‘Level’ status. Please wait for confirmation before beginning the registration process. 

The OBHF will continue with its Level-based system which will recognize prior experience at either the Minor or Adult divisions. Payment will still be based on the division you intend to officiate in.

The levels will be as follows:

• Level 1 – Officials ‘new’ to ball hockey with 0 to 3 years experience regardless of division (Minor or Adult). Your clinic will consist of an online exam and mandatory on-floor session where fundamental positioning, technical procedures, and face-off locations will be the focus of instruction. 

In person clinic locations current as of March 26, 2026:

• COMPLETED – Alliston: Sunday March 29 Alliston Memorial Arena 1-3pm
• COMPLETED – Hamilton: Sunday March 29 Eastwood Arena 1-3pm
• COMPLETED – Penetanguishene: Thursday April 2 Penetanguishene Mem CC 6:30-8:30pm
• Toronto: Saturday April 4 Hangar/Downsview Park 11am-1pm
• Acton: Wednesday April 8 Acton Arena 6-8pm
• Kitchener: Thursday April 9 New Hamburg (Old) Arena 5:30-6:30pm
• Ottawa: Saturday April 11 Howard Darwin Centennial Arena 9-11am
• Belleville – Sunday April 12 Quinte Sports & Wellness Center 11am-1pm
• Mississauga: Sunday April 12 Clarkson Arena 2-4pm
• Oshawa: Sunday April 12 Donovan Arena 9-11am 
• Sarnia: Wednesday April 15 Pt Edward Arena 6-8pm
• Kingston – Thursday April 16 Cataraqui/Kinsmen Arena 8-10pm
• Collingwood: Wednesday May 20 Eddie Bush Arena 4-6pm
• Chatham (virtual on case by case)

Locations still pending or currently working with local league operators

• London
• Sault Ste Marie

• Level 2 – Officials with 3-5 years experience regardless of division (Minor or Adult). Your clinic will consist of an online exam with the above mentioned training materials. New 2026 –  Mandatory Zoom call to review new rules and their applications. You must attend 1 (one) of the calls in order to complete your certification. These calls will continue every Wednesday of April – links to the call will be sent out the day before. 
• Level 3 – Officials with 5+ years experience regardless of division (Minor or Adult). Your clinic will consist of an online exam with the above mentioned training materials. New 2026 – Mandatory Zoom call to review new rules and their applications. You must attend 1 (one) of the calls in order to complete your certification. These calls will continue every Wednesday of April – links to the call will be sent out the day before. 

Please note that the OBHF has maintained registration histories for 7 years and can verify previous experience based on past registrations. We ask that you be forthcoming and honest in selecting the appropriate registration form to complete.

Once payment has been confirmed by Lino, clinic materials will be emailed to you within 1-2 days – you will not receive an email confirmation that your registration has been received but you will receive a confirmation that your payment has been processed. You will see that message once you have completed the registration form. 

 Quick important points to know moving forward:

• exam remains online
• materials currently remain the same format as last year as well as a link to the online CBHA Rulebook
• ‘Learn at your own pace’ concept
• repeat the exam as many times as needed to meet a minimum 80% (reports are generated for every attempt, they include the grade and the time to complete the exam)
• a revised 2026 CBHA Rulebook is currently available
• payments will no longer be covered by leagues – reimbursement if applicable must be attained by the league directly

The following incentives and offers will remain in place for the 2026 season.

Clinic Fee Reductions – The Adult fee remains at $50, and the Minor fee remains at $25 . (Late fees are applicable here as well: Adult $75, Minor $40)

Family/Household Discount – Officials who are immediate family members, will be responsible for submitting one fee. If both officials are Minor referees, they will pay $25 collectively. If one official is seeking Adult certification, the Adult fee of $50 will be applied.  (Late fees are applicable here as well: Minor $40, Adult $75) 

Finder’s Fee – This incentive has been cancelled for the 2026 and subsequent seasons.

Official Start-Up Package – Shirts and whistles continue to be offered at cost from our OBHF suppliers. New referees are encouraged to purchase the Official’s Start Up package. Sales for jersey-only or whistle-only will be available via the online order form. Shipping rates may apply.

 * You can place your order(s) for either item above, by visiting the UNIFORMS link in the ‘Officials‘ drop-down menu.