Referee Program

Referee Grades and (Re)Certification

On July 1, 2019 the US Soccer Referee Program is changed the classification system that was being used to identify referee grades, referee names, and certification/re-certification requirements. 

Here are the changes:

  • Newly Certified Referees must be 13 years of age

  • All referees under the age of 13 that have been certified prior to 7/1/19 will be grandfathered in.

  • Referee Grades (NOT SCHOOL GRADES) 7, 8 and 9 will be grouped together and called "Grassroots Referees".

  • Once online training is complete, you must complete a Field Training Event. Once the FTE is complete, you will receive your Referee Badge.

Become a Referee

  • Please visit www.FLSRC.org and select one of the quick links on the right hand side. All referee courses are currently held online.

  • Follow the prompts to create your referee profile, please ensure you take the Grade 8 Referee Course. 

  • All newly trained referees always start in our recreational soccer program where they gain their experience and increase their confidence. When the referee assignor thinks you are ready to move onto the next level (competitive soccer), he will then speak to you and assign you games at the competitive level via gotsoccer.

  • Please do not create a referee account at gotsoccer as FYSA will create one for you and send you the temporary userid and password. Click on [Referees and Assignors],  Click on [Register] underneath [New Accounts].

  • If you are over 18, a background check must be performed. If you are under 18, you must perform an age verification. This can be found at the top of your gotsoccer referee account web page.

FAQs For New Referees

  • What is the minimum age to become a referee?

Effective July 1, 2019 the minimum age is 13 years old.  Anyone who prior to July 1, 2019 was certified as a referee and was less than 13 years old is allowed by US Soccer to continue their referee certification for the 2020 registration year and beyond.

  • When can I start my entry referee course?

The online course is available immediately upon registration and payment.
If logged out, log back in to the member home page and follow the links to start the online course.

  • How long does it take to complete the course or how long do I have to complete the course?

Work at you own pace on your own time, but don’t take too long as there are games waiting to be refereed.  When registering for your course you chose a field training event that you must attend in order to complete all your requirements to become a referee.

  • When I complete my online referee courses, do I have to attend the Field Training Event (FTE)?

The FTE is the second part of the new referee course. When registering for your course you chose a field training event that you must attend in order to complete all your requirements to become a referee.  Making the transition from the classroom (computer keyboard) to the field is why the FTE’s were created.  Specially trained instructors and administrators follow an approved curriculum to provide each new referee with the necessary skills and knowledge needed for their very first game.

  • I paid but I CANNOT FIND THE COURSE

After Payment, the “Clinics to Reserve or that you have Reserved” window on the Member Home Page will change and reveal the “Online Lessons” button to start the Grassroots PreRequisite Online course (OR ANY OTHER COURSE).  If you find yourself on the receipt page, click top left to return to Member Home Page.  There are a large number of modules to complete for the online portion of the Grassroots course.  This includes the FLSRC/OMS modules and the US Soccer Learning Center modules.  If you are over age 17, you will also be directed to the complete the required SafeSports modules.  Further details are on the Become a Referee webpage.

  • My screen seems to be non-responsive during the SafeSport modules or other learning modules, what do I do?

Sometimes about halfway through one of the SafeSport modules (and occasionally an OMS module), clicking to go to the next option is non-responsive.  This is a problem with the web browser.  A quick solution is to clear the cache in the web browser settings, close the browser, then re-open and log back in.  For more information click HERE

  • How do I upload my SafeSport certificate?  

IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO UPLOAD THE SAFESPORTS CERTIFICATE

  • I am having trouble uploading my SafeSport certificate or when I try to upload it, I get errors messages?

IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO UPLOAD THE SAFESPORTS CERTIFICATE

  • I took the new referee entry course and I have finished my modules and test, what’s next?

Three times during each month between July and December, and twice between January and March, all course completions are exported from the registration system and sent to the United State Soccer Federation Referee Program office where a USSF ID number is assigned.  When the registration comes back with the assigned ID number, the information is sent to Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA).  FYSA is the designated Risk Management (RM background check) authority in the State of Florida.  Florida Statutes require any one over the age of 18 is required to perform a Background Check.  FYSA will notify by email each new referee of their Risk Management responsibility.  Any cost for RM is between FYSA and the individual referee. Referees under the age of 18, only verify their age. FYSA will create a new referee gotsoccer account for you and will email you your temporary log-in information.

  • When do I receive my referee badge?

Newly Certified Referee badges will be issued when the mandatory Field Train Event has been completed.

Please review the documents below:

Referee Dress Code - This document will help you with looking like a pro on the sidelines.

Information from US Soccer for the NEW Referee – New Referees have many questions, that’s OK! The attached guide helps you get the answers you are looking for.

Laws of the Game - Learn and understand the Laws of the Game

 

Referee's Code of Conduct:

  • Always remember that the game is for the players. Player safety and fair play comes first.

  • Study and learn the laws of the Game and understand the “spirit” of the Laws. Help fellow referees do the same.

  • Encourage and enforce the philosophies of “Everyone Plays,” “Positive Coaching” and “Good Sportsmanship.”

  • Respect other referees’ decisions and do not publicly criticize another official.

  • Dress and Act Professional. Shirt tucked in and socks are picked up. Look like you want to be there!

  • Maintain good physical condition so you can keep up with the action.

  • Stay calm when confronted with emotional reactions from players, coaches and parents.

  • Honor accepted game assignments. In an emergency, find a replacement.

  • Support good sportsmanship with a kind word to players, coaches and parents of both teams when deserved.

  • Always be fair and impartial, avoiding conflicts of interest. Decisions based on personal bias are dishonest and unacceptable.

For All Referee Communication and Scheduling:  Please contact Referee Assignor Shenoy Raghuraj at refassignor@yahoo.com