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High School Track and Field / XC Certified Officials Program

Become a Certified Official

The need for track and field and cross country officials at the high school level is higher than ever. There are many benefits to becoming a certified high school official. Join the team and register today.

Contact Information: Debi Hanson

On this page, you'll find resources, registration instructions, and training opportunities to get you started. Click an information icon, , to learn more about a specific item.

Registration

2024 Spring Registration

Register Now - $60.00
Annual Registration
Starting with the spring 2024 season, you can become certified as high school track and field and cross country official. 		What's Included?
  • NFHS Officials Association Membership
  • NFHS Officials Insurance Coverage Enrollment
  • Criminal Background History Screening
  • NFHS Track & Field / Cross Country Rules Book
  • NFHS Track & Field / Cross Country Case Book
  • Digital Subscriptions via NFHS AllAccess
  • Referee Magazine Leadership Guide
  • Subscription to the NFHS Network
  • Online Resources Guide
  • Access to Online Training Materials
  • Certification Badge & Lanyard
  • Shipping & Handling
Registration Opens Mon. 1/15
Test Review Opens Mon. 1/15
First Day of OSAA High School Meets Mon. 3/11
Registration Closes Fri. 4/19
Last Day of OSAA High School Meets / Districts Sat. 5/11
Testing Closes Sat. 5/11
OSAA Track & Field State Championships Thurs. 5/16 - Sat. 5/18

Certification Requirements for High School T&F / XC Officials

To be a High School Track & Field / XC Certified Official, the following requirement must be met every year.
  • Complete annual online registration including payment
  • Pass an annual criminal conviction history screening
  • Complete the online OSAA Concussion Training Course
  • Pass the annual OSAA Track & Field / XC 25-question online rules exam (score ≥ 75%)

Those certification requirements ensure compliance with OSAA polices and Oregon state law. The following requirement must be completed once.
  • Complete the online OSAA Interrupting and Preventing Discriminatory Acts Training Course

Training Clinics

Upcoming Free Training Clinics

High School Specific Clinics

USATF is sponsoring training clinics for anyone that likes to help out at high school track meets. The goal is to provide training for field events as well as protocol and tips for starting and clerking a meet. Attendees can choose their focus. These clinics are free to attend and geared toward volunteers or for those seeking to become certified high school track & field officials.
Sign Up Date Time Mode Location Topic Info/Contact
Sign Up W 1/10 6:30p - 8:30p In-Person OSAA Office, Wilsonville HS Track & Field Clinic for New Officials / Volunteers Jerry Westfall
Zoom Link Tu 1/16 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 847 4405 4735, 558872 NFHS Rules w/ Julie Cochran Scott Phoenix
Sign Up W 1/24 6:30p - 8:30p In-Person OSAA Office, Wilsonville HS Track & Field Clinic for New Officials / Volunteers Jerry Westfall
Sign Up W 1/31 6:30p - 8:30p In-Person OSAA Office, Wilsonville Lasers & Electronic Distance Measuring Jerry Westfall
Sign Up W 2/7 6:30p - 8:30p In-Person OSAA Office, Wilsonville HS Track & Field Clinic for New Officials / Volunteers Jerry Westfall
Sign Up Sa 3/9 12:00p - 2:30p In-Person Caldera HS, Bend HS Track & Field Clinic for New Officials / Volunteers Clinic Flyer
TBD - Around the state, contact Jerry to schedule a clinic in your area HS Track & Field Clinic for New Officials / Volunteers Jerry Westfall

Additional Clinics

All of the free clinics listed below are designed to provide basic knowledge about events and the roles officials perform. Each clinic will have different events featured with experienced officials giving the presentations and available for questions. If you are a prospective official, these are excellent events to attend.
Sign Up Date Time Mode Location Topic Info/Contact
Zoom Link W 1/3 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 891 4904 5377, 405721 Zoom on One: Clerking Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link Su 1/7 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 848 0899 3815, 101644 Zoom on One: Starting Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link M 1/8 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 833 6570 3346, 312640 Zoom on One: Finish Line Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link W 1/10 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 835 3396 9016, 302473 USATF Rules w/ Dick Boyd Scott Phoenix
Sign Up Sa 1/13 10a - 4p In-Person Hayward Field, Eugene Data Management, Discus, Horizontal Jumps, Marshals, Umpires More Info
Zoom Link Su 1/14 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 852 1239 7846, 437912 Zoom on One: Umpiring Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link M 1/15 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 851 0067 8692, 613330 Zoom on One: Marshaling Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link W 1/17 6:00p Virtual ID/PW: 846 7057 8257, 555275 Resumes/Upgrades/Evaluations/RRC Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link Th 1/18 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 894 4187 1269, 149947 Zoom on One: Reloading Blanks Scott Phoenix
Sign Up Su 1/21 10a - 4p In-Person Hayward Field, Eugene Clerks, Implement Inspection, Javelin, Referee, Starters More Info
Zoom Link Su 1/21 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 841 6667 8929, 579287 NCAA Rules w/ Mark Kostek Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link M 1/22 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 839 5258 0489, 415426 Zoom on One: Javelin Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link Tu 1/23 6:00p Virtual ID/PW: 884 7984 9782, 186395 Race Walk Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link W 1/24 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 864 9964 7090, 182590 Zoom on One: Shot Put Scott Phoenix
Sign Up Su 1/28 12p - 5p In-Person George Fox University, Newberg Electronic Measuring and Implement Inspection Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link M 1/29 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 875 2603 5831, 741949 Zoom on One: Hammer Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link Tu 1/30 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 831 1783 2046, 770115 Zoom on One: Discus Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link W 1/31 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 884 5812 0406, 864723 Zoom on One: Horizontals Scott Phoenix
Sign Up Su 2/4 10a - 5p In-Person Newberg HS, Newberg Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, Starting, Umpiring, Clerking, Race walking Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link M 2/5 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 858 4059 3253, 346358 Zoom on One: Verticals Scott Phoenix
Sign Up Sa 2/10 10a - 5p In-Person McMinnville HS, McMinnville Jumps, Marshaling, Implement Inspection Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link M 2/12 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 873 8998 2682, 758952 Zoom on One: Technical Manager Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link Tu 2/13 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 819 2519 3867, 515052 Zoom on One: Lloyd's Video Scenarios Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link W 2/21 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 856 6765 0780, 950247 Zoom on One: EDM Scott Phoenix
Zoom Link Su 2/25 5:30p Virtual ID/PW: 865 1342 1587, 203920 Zoom on One: Referee Scenarios Scott Phoenix

Resources & Training

Officiating Resources


NFHS Rules Books
2024 NFHS Rule Changes
2024 Pre-Meet Notes
OSAA Track & Field Webpage
NFHS Track & Field Webpage
USATF Oregon

USATF Oregon Officiating Best Practices Video Series

Zoom Recording

Officiating Track Events

 Zoom recording 		Access Passcode: 0?RcC+A0
Zoom Recording

Officiating Throws

 Zoom recording 		Access Passcode: 1=Fzi6*L
Zoom Recording

Officiating Horizontal Jumps

 Zoom recording 		Access Passcode: QYJ6*MuX
Zoom Recording

Officiating Vertical Jumps

 Zoom recording 		Access Passcode: i#Jg2g&X

Frequently Asked Questions


Does the OSAA require high schools to use certified officials?

No. Unlike team sports, there is no requirement for schools to utilize certified officials for tack and field or cross country meets. However, schools are encouraged to seek officials certified under this High School Track and Field / XC Certified Officials Program or through the USA Track and Field Officials Certification Program.

Is this high school certification required to officiate or volunteer at the 2024 OSAA Track and Field State Championships?

No. However, volunteers and officials are encouraged to become certified through this High School Track and Field / XC Certified Officials Program or through the USA Track and Field Officials Certification Program.

Do officials have to clear a background check as part of this certification program?

Yes. Part of the registration process requires the prospective official to consent to a background check. The OSAA screens criminal history backgrounds with the same criteria as team sport officials. According to Rule 2.4.4 in the OSAA Handbook, individuals are not certified as officials if they have been convicted of:
  • A felony involving the use, possession, or sale of a controlled substance within the last 10 years; or
  • A crime involving the use or threatened use of violence against a person within the last 10 years; or
  • A crime involving a minor child at any time.

Are officials SafeSport certified through this program?

No. The High School Track and Field / XC Certified Officials Program does not provide training to be considered certified with the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

How long is this certification valid?

One year. This is an annual certification to ensure compliance with Oregon state laws in regards to annual training on concussions (ORS 336.485, OAR 58-022-2215, and ORS 417.875.) Background checks are also re-run every year. Rules occasionally change and it's important to stay up-to-date with continuing education which this annual certification program helps facilitate.

Are there different levels of certification through this program?

No. There is only the base certification focused on NFHS Track and Field and Cross Country rules. Unlike team sport certified officials, this certification program does no distinguish between sub-varsity, varsity, or post-season certification levels. The certification requirements for this program mirror the team sport officials requirement for the varsity level (scoring at least 75% on the annual rules exam.)

Is there a cross-certification option for officials already certified by USA Track and Field?

No. This certification program is specifically designed to focus on high school competitions under the NFHS Track and Field and Cross Country rules. While USATF training has a lot of practical material in common with high school competitions, there are differences in rule codes, procedures, and meet operations. Additionally, USATF certified officials do not have annual re-certification requirements which differs from this High School Track and Field / XC Certified Officials Program.

Where can someone purchase additional NFHS rules books or the NFHS Track and Field and Cross Country Officials Manual?

The OSAA Corner Store has a collection of spring rules books for sale. Spring publications will become available starting January 15, 2024.