MOA Testing and Training
Concussion Training
Governor Bullock signed the Dylan Steigers Protection of Youth Athletes Act into law and the requirements of the law mirror the NFHS/MHSA Return to Play rules that have been in place for the past few years but there are a few additional requirements of the law. Below is an overview of the law and how it will pertain to MOA officials:
- An athletic trainer, coach, or official shall remove a youth athlete from participation in any organized youth athletic activity at the time the youth exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion. (Same as current return to play rules)
- Each school district in this state offering organized youth athletic activities shall adopt policies and procedures to inform athletic trainers, coaches, officials, youth athletes and parents or guardians of the nature and risk of brain injuries, including the effects of continuing to play after a concussion. School districts shall ensure access to a training program which meets the requirements stated previously and each official, coach and athletic trainer shall complete the training program at least once each school year. (The MHSA/MOA will require each official to take the “NFHS Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know” course each year to satisfy the education requirement of the law.)
- The online concussion course must be viewed after June 1st for an official to be eligible for the coming school year. The deadline for viewing the course will coincide with the deadline for viewing the rules clinic for each sport. For officials who work more than one sport, you must complete the concussion course by the rules clinic deadline for your first sport of the year. The concussion course must be completed only once per school year but it must be completed before officiating any high school scrimmage or game. The course certificate must show the full name in which you are registered. The penalty for not completing the concussion clinic by the deadline will be immediate suspension from the MOA until proof of concussion training is produced. Also, as with rules clinic deadlines, if you fail to complete concussion training prior to the published deadline, you will incur a loss of rating and loss of eligibility for post season assignment. The MOA official, by Montana state law, cannot work any scrimmage or contest until the concussion clinic has been viewed.
The NFHS concussion course is accessed via
NFHSLearn.com
NFHS Learn (MHSA Rules Clinic) Instruction Sheet
Instruction Sheet (Concussion)
Video instructions to order and view the NFHS concussion course.
When viewing is complete a confirmation page will appear from which you can download a copy of your completion certificate.
MOA Study Clubs
Study clubs are an integral part of the official training program of the MOA and provide a continuous learning opportunity. The MOA office will provide appropriate study club materials for review and training. The Directors are responsible to facilitate study clubs in their region and for reporting attendance to the MOA office.
An official must attend at least six (6) study clubs in basketball, football, volleyball and/or wrestling in order to receive credit toward their rating. An official in soccer and/or softball must attend a minimum of four (4) study clubs. It is recommended that study clubs begin at least one week prior to the start of each season.
If an MOA member’s employment prevents him/her from attending study clubs, the official may receive credit for attendance if they comply as follows:
1. Make prior arrangements with the Director or head of the pool.
2. Complete and present the study club outlines to the Director or head of the pool in advance of the meeting they will miss.
3. Request an exception from the MOA office for certain military actions or other extenuating circumstances.
4. An official whose employment requires him/her to be away from home during the week may attend study clubs at an alternate pool location if he/she receives permission from the regional director(s) and the MOA Commissioner.
Testing and Training
2023-2024 MOA Requirements
MOA Requirements and Deadlines
**Deadlines for renewed officials only
MHSA Rules Clinics
Fall (Soccer, Football, Volleyball) August 1 - August 23, 2023
Winter (Basketball, Wrestling) November 1 - November 30, 2023
Spring (Softball, Baseball) March 1 – March 22, 2024
NFHS Concussion in Sport
June 1st - All officials must take the Concussion requirement no earlier than this
date for 2023-2024. No other concussion course will be accepted.
Due Dates
Fall (Soccer, Football, Volleyball) August 23, 2023
Winter (Basketball, Wrestling) November 30, 2023
Spring (Softball, Baseball) March 22, 2024
Exam Dates
Fall (Soccer, Football, Volleyball) August 1 - August 23, 2023
Winter (Basketball, Wrestling) November 1 - November 30, 2023
Spring (Softball, Baseball) March 1 – March 22, 2024
All upgrades are due to the MOA office 7 days prior to the opening of the testing window.
Upgrading officials will not be eligible to test without submitting a Request to Test Form submitted by the deadline and approved by the MOA office. Forms are available on the MHSA website at MOA Forms.
For all MOA Rules and Regulations go the MHSA website at and click on the MOA section for the current MOA Handbook section. MOA Section - MHSA Website
For additional help contact the MOA Office at 406-442-6010
