Becoming a Member
Note: To become a member for the 2026-27 season, the deadline for candidates to complete IAABO University online training is October 1.
IAABO Board 31 holds On-Court Training for new applicants each fall. If you have ever considered officiating basketball, we urge you to contact us. It is a great way to stay involved with a sport that was invented right here in our own backyard.
We welcome men and women who live or work in Hampden County and are 18 years old by Nov. 1 of the examination year. You will need to be in good enough condition to handle the requirements of officiating a basketball game and be willing to make a commitment to the sport and Board 31.
Note: Enrollment in the 2026 on-court training program closes Oct. 1, 2026. All interested applicants must complete both online modules of IAABO University by October 1, 2026 in order to participate in on-court training and be eligible for membership ahead of the 2026-27 season.
An overview of the three-step process
- Please note: You must complete Steps 1 & 2 by Oct. 1 in order to participate in the on-court training that certifies you for the upcoming season.
1.) High School Rules Course
- Offered year-round, with a 90-day completion window from enrollment date
- All new-member rules coursework is conducted through IAABO University, an online class that can be taken on your schedule. The cost of the online training is $110, which includes both the Rules and Mechanics portions. Within 48 hours of successfully passing the IAABO University Rules exam, you will receive notice of your enrollment in the Crew of Two Mechanics Course.
2.) Crew of Two Mechanics Course
- Offered year-round, following a passing score on the Rules exam, with a 45-day completion window
- You must pass this exam with a score of at least 80%. Throughout the courses in Steps 1 & 2, you will have digital access to the IAABO Rules Guide and IAABO Manual.
3.) Board 31 On-Court Training
- Offered once per year in October, following a passing score on the Mechanics exam
- The cost of this in-person training is $100, includes a customized Fox 40 Classic pealess whistle and covers your dues for the 2026-27 season.
- Please note: You must complete Steps 1 & 2 by Oct. 1 in order to participate in the on-court training that certifies you for the upcoming season.
2025 On-Court Training (2026 dates TBD)
This is a progressive four-night curriculum building toward putting you on the court in game settings. Please note that these are not one-offs, and the expectation is you attend as many as your schedule allows. Sessions were held in 2025 at Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke from 6-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 21
- Wednesday, Oct. 22
- Tuesday, Oct. 28
- Wednesday, Oct. 29
A series of youth and high school scrimmages follows in November, once teams assemble and begin to practice. These serve as the Floor Exam, allowing you to apply everything you’ve learned online and on-court in a practical setting. The result is meaningful repetitions, constructive feedback, and a personal sense of clarity and confidence that “I can do this,” which only a scrimmage/game environment can provide. Please note the expectation that you participate on-court in at least two scrimmages.
2025 On-Court Scrimmages/Floor Exam
- Wednesday, Nov. 12 — Westfield South Middle School — 6-8 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 13 — Dupont Middle School | Chicopee — 6-8 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 17 — Stefanik School | Chicopee — 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 20 — Westfield South Middle School — 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 24 — West Springfield Middle School — 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 25 — West Springfield Middle School — 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 9 — Granby High School — 6-8 p.m.
At this point, you will need to purchase the clothing necessary to officiate games. Official IAABO supplies are available through AllSports East in Chicopee, and our training committee will walk you through everything you need in detailed fashion … pun intended!
Our goals, by the time on-court training and scrimmages have concluded, are that you have demonstrated:
1.) A commitment to learning
2.) A commitment to the process and to continuous improvement
3.) A base-level understanding of – and entry-level on-court proficiency in – the principles of basketball officiating
Upon successfully demonstrating this, you are admitted to Board 31 and may receive high school assignments at the sole discretion of the PVIAC Commissioner.