How to become a Basketball official

Call or email Greg Bing, SABO Commissioner, to begin your basketball officiating journey. 

email:   greg.bing@comcast.net Phone: 904.334.4718

Joining a local association is key, as assignments to work games will be issued for sub-varsity games from the association's Booking Commissioner. The local associations will conduct meetings, which are geared to provide additional rules training, game evaluations and information regarding association policies and procedures.  

Attend the next SABO meeting and join the association.   All new members are required to attend and participate in a minimum of three pre-season training scrimmages. The schedule of scrimmages shall be published on our website . It is greatly recommended that you participate in as many scrimmages as possible in excess of the three scrimmage minimum.

In order to be eligible to officiate interscholastic sports in Florida, all new and returning members must meet the background screening provisions of the Florida Jessica Lunsford Act.  

The Jessica Lunsford Act established standards and procedures related to the background screening of individuals who provide contracted non-instructional services to Florida public schools or districts.   The Jessica Lunsford Act Level Two screening is required in most counties in Florida for ALL officials. This includes regular season and postseason 

Under Florida law, the Level Two Background Check must be completed every 5 years. For information regarding the Jessica Lunsford Act and required background checks, click here. 

To register with FHSAA and complete your background check with fingerprints, click here: 2022-2023 FHSAA Registration

Request your Duval County Public Schools Vendor Badge.

Any official who purposely avoids, falsifies or fails to obtain the required level 2 screening, after written notification, may be immediately suspended for up to FIVE years, pending possible termination of membership.

The sections of Florida law pertinent to the screening of individuals who are vendors or contractors with a Florida public school or district as amended or created by Senate Bill 988 (PDF), may be accessed at:

• Section 1012.465, Florida Statutes
• Section 1012.467, Florida Statutes
• Section 1012.468, Florida Statutes 

 You must register with the Florida High School Athletic Association through an application. During this process, you will select which sport(s) you want to officiate, and which official's associations you are a member of. Have your existing FHSAA Official's ID if you are a returning FHSAA Official.

 Click here to find the application! 

Review the FHSAA FAQ's page to find out more about how to become a basketball official.

Rules exam completion is mandatory for all registered officials. The 75 minute timed test requires a 75% accuracy to pass in order to be eligible to officiate Varsity level contests. To officiate post-season playoff games, a minimum score of 80% is required.