Q. How do I become a referee?
A. Prospective referees must attend and pass a course sponsored
and taught by the United States Soccer Federation.
Q. How much does a course cost?
A. A Grade-8 course costs $45. A Grade-9 course costs $40.
Q. What's the difference between a Grade-8 and a Grade-9?
A. A Grade 8, USSF Referee Class 2
is authorized to referee competitive (travel) soccer matches as well as recreational (house) games. A Grade-8 course will
qualify a referee to be both a Center Referee and Assistant Referee (often erroneously referred to as linesman). A Grade-9,
USSF Recreational Referee, is authorized to referee on recreational games age under-14 and younger. Like a Grade-8, a Grade-9
will be qualified to be a Center or AR. Most rec leagues will assign ARs at the U-14 level but many do not use ARs for U-12
and below. (PWSI does assign ARs for U-12s.)
Q. How long is the course?
A. Generally a Grade-8 course is 18-20 hours while a Grade-9 course is 8-10 hours in length.
A typical model for a Grade-8 course would be to meet on two consecutive Friday evenings and two full-day Saturday
sessions. A Grade-9 course may meet for one long day or three evening sessions. Every course will be different.
Q. If I become a Grade-9 can I become a Grade-8 later?
A. Yes. A Grade-9 referee can always
attend a New Grade-8 course later or can take a special "Bridge" Course designed to take Upgrade Grade-9 referees to Grade-8.
Q. Does everyone pass the course?
A. No. There is an exam and one must qualify by passing. Bottom
line is that almost everyone who listens to the instructor's instructions and prepares by reading the Laws of the Game and
the USSF Publication Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game will do well.
Q. Where can I locate information about courses?A. Check this site under Training/Activities for further information.
Q. Do I have to take a course from PWSRA to ref for PWRSA/PWSI?
A. No. You are welcome to get your certification anywhere.
Q. When I pass the test and become a referee how much more will it cost?
A. A referee needs a
uniform and basic equipment. A basic uniform (jersey, shorts, socks) package will cost around $50-$60. The packages typically
include accessories such as flags, whistle, data wallet, and red/yellow cards. A referee at the rec level can usually get
by for the first season with one short-sleeve gold jersey. Referees who work competitive matches are expected to have alternate
color jerseys (black, red, blue) and in long-sleeve as well as short. (That's 8 different jerseys!)
Q. How much will I make?
A. Rates vary widely. Center refs make more than Assistant Refs. The
higher the age (and the longer the game) the more one makes. For one game as center for U8 or U10 the rates can be approximately
$15-$20. Center refs for a U19 can pay $30 - $50 or more.
Q. How do I get games?
A. Once certified, a new referee needs to contact an assignor for a local
club or league. The assignor should work with you to give you appropriate skill level games based on your age and qualification.
Q. Is there an age limit to ref?
A. Trick question. The USSF makes no age restriction for a Grade-8
or Grade-9 referee. However, the Va. Child Labor Law permits youth referees to work provided they are at least 12 years of
age. In addition, most assignors require a youth center referee to be at least two years older than the age group they referee.
Most competitve leagues requires centers to be at least 16 years of age.
Q. Will I be certified to referee high school matches?
A. No. High school games are not played
under the Laws of the Game but rather under rules written by the National Federation of High Schools.
