Welcome to the Washington Officials Association

Established in 2002 as an independent, self-governing entity, the Washington Officials Association (WOA) is the dedicated backbone of athletic officiating across the state. In close partnership with the WIAA, we recruit, train, certify, and support roughly 5,000 sports officials who keep youth and high school sports running safely and fairly.

Unlike most states where referees are governed directly by school athletic associations, Washington’s unique standalone structure allows our officials to govern themselves. From pioneering modern safety initiatives—like becoming the first state in the nation to equip high school officials with body cameras—to providing comprehensive rules training and insurance, the WOA is committed to protecting the integrity of the game and fostering the next generation of sports leaders on the field, court, and mat.