DEFINITION: A USA Field Hockey Umpire Member who is aspiring to attain a Level I rating and participate fully in USA Field Hockey events. There is no age requirement or fee for this rating.

• Candidate has neither participated as an umpire in any sanctioned USA Field Hockey event nor has successfully completed a USA Field Hockey Umpire Evaluation to attain a Level I Umpire Certification. The status of Starter Umpire shall be maintained until a successful Level I evaluation is achieved.
  
  

LEVEL I UMPIRE:

DEFINITION: A USA Field Hockey Umpire m=Member who has achieved a minimum average evaluation score of 2.5 at a U-14, U-16 or U-19 USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event or has submitted the proper USA Field Hockey Umpire Evaluation Form completed by a Recognized Local Umpiring Board. Forms should be submitted to umpire@usafieldhockey.com.

PROCESS FOR ADVANCEMENT FROM STARTER UMPIRE:

• There is no age requirement or fee for this rating.
• Candidate must hold a USA Field Hockey Umpire Membership. Coach and Player memberships do not qualify to be able to officiate at Umpire Events.
  
• An umpire can earn a Level I rating by attending a USA Field Hockey sanctioned umpire academy or training from a Recognized Local Umpiring Board.
• Level I rating opportunities include varsity high school games, USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Events and U-14, U-16 and U-19 National Events.
• The umpire candidate must earn an average score of at least 2.5 or above on a minimum of three matches.
• Evaluators must be USA Field Hockey Umpire Members who hold a minimum of a USA Field Hockey Level II rating.

Submission of on-field evaluation and classroom training documentation to umpire@usafieldhockey.com.

Documentation must include:

1. Date of classroom training.
2. Date of on-field evaluation.
3. Name of instructor and contact information.
4. Copy of on-field evaluation. (Evaluation must be done on 11 v 11 matches only).
5. Evaluation must be submitted by evaluator not participating in match.
6. Cannot be submitted by Umpiring Partner on same game.

*Once the initial Level I rating has been attained, the umpire must participate in a minimum of one USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event every 18 months earning a 2.5 or higher on a minimum of three matches to maintain the Level I rating.

*Should a Level I umpire perform below the standard of 2.5 on two successive events, they will be downgraded to a Starter Umpire and must go through the initial process to regain a Level I rating.

LEVEL II UMPIRE:

DEFINITION: A USA Field Hockey Umpire Member who has achieved a minimum average evaluation score of 3.5 at two separate USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Events or submission of three proper USA Field Hockey Umpire Evaluation Forms from three separate NCAA Division I, II or III matches.

PROCESS FOR ADVANCEMENT FROM LEVEL I:

• The umpire candidate must have held a Level I rating for a minimum of one year.
• The two USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Events must be successive and within an 18-month period but need not be back-to-back events.
• The umpire candidate must be evaluated on a minimum of three matches per event.
• Approved USA Field Hockey Umpire Managers/Evaluators will perform all Level II evaluations. Approval for evaluators can be obtained by contacting the USA Field Hockey's Director of Umpiring at umpire@usafieldhockey.com.
• Initial Level II rating opportunities at USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Events include U-16, U-19, any combination of three NCAA Division I, II and III matches within a season and Adult Club Events. In all cases, the umpire must be rated on full field play, 7 v 7 is not acceptable. For the three NCAA Division I, II and III matches within a season: Evaluators must be approved by USA Field Hockey prior to the evaluation.
• Once the initial Level II rating has been attained, the umpire must participate in a minimum of one USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event, as defined above, every 18 months earning a 3.5 or higher on a minimum of three matches to maintain the Level II rating (excludes NCAA matches and clinics).
• Should a Level II umpire perform below the standard of 3.5 on two successive events, they will be downgraded to a Level I and must go through the initial process again.
• Submission of on-field evaluation and classroom training documentation to umpire@usafieldhockey.com.

DEFINITION: A USA Field Hockey Umpire Member who has achieved a minimum average evaluation score of 4.0 at two separate approved Level III USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Events. This umpire should be confident and capable of umpiring any domestic match within the United States.

PROCESS FOR ADVANCEMENT FROM LEVEL II

• The umpire candidate must have held a Level II rating for a minimum of one-year.
• The USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Events must be successive and within a 18-month period but need not be back-to-back events.
• The umpire candidate must be evaluated on a minimum of three matches per USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event.
• Level III rating opportunities at USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Events include U-21 National Team Matches, three NCAA Division I matches within a season, Senior National Team Matches, Adult Competitive Events approved by USA Field Hockey and FIH sanctioned events.
• For the three NCAA Division I matches within a season, evaluators must be approved by USA Field Hockey prior to the evaluation.
• Approved USA Field Hockey Umpire Managers/Evaluators will perform all Level III evaluations. Approval for evaluators can be obtained by contacting the USA Field Hockey's Director of Umpiring at umpire@usafieldhockey.com.
• Once the initial Level III rating has been attained, the umpire must participate in a minimum of one USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event every 18 months earning a 4.0 or higher on a minimum of three matches. See list above for approved events, but renewal excludes NCAA matches or clinics.
• Should a Level III umpire perform below the standard of 4.0 on two successive events, they will be downgraded to a Level II and must go through the initial process again.
• FIH Umpire performance reports with a minimum score of 6.0 shall be considered acceptable for rating renewal provided that the report is submitted by an FIH Certified Umpire Manager.