How to Become a USSF Certified Soccer Referee

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Being a soccer referee can be both rewarding and fulfilling. Whether for a young person learning responsibility or an adult contributing to the sport, referee training and development is the primary mission of the Florida State Referees, Inc. (FSR). To this end, FSR has established the following process to ensure that every person who wishes to become a referee is afforded the opportunity to become registered and certified soccer referee with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
Step 1 - The Referee Grade 8 Entry Level Course
The Referee Grade 8 Entry Level Course is the most popular course for all ages. This eighteen (18) hour USSF national course offers complete basic instruction and prepares an individual to become a USSF Soccer Referee. FSR, as a national leader in developing referee instructional programs, understands and supports the importance of "distance or online education" as pioneered by higher educational institutions. As a result FSR has separated this course into a reduced ten (10) hour classroom participation with the balance in online educational modules which may be completed by individual students at their home and at their pace and time. FSR requires that the online instructional modules be completed prior to the classroom instruction since failure to do so will most definitely adversely affect the successful negotiation of the final test for this Referee Grade 8 Entry Level Course by the individual student. Complete instructions are available on the registration page and will be emailed to each student by the course administrator. Satisfactory completion of the course and the final test will prepare the student for certification as a USSF Soccer Referee Grade 8. You will be creating an online secure account which will allow FSR to contact you by e-mail and be alerted to upcoming events and courses. The information you provide is secure; you will be able to set up a username and password and update your personal information at any time.
Step 2 - Create an account on the FSR's portal on LeagueGM
FSR uses LeagueGM as our central database for all personal and course information, including online training materials. Once you have created your personal account, you will be provided with a the complete listing of all courses offered in the state, the course status and the distance of that course from your home address. It is updated continuously. If you do not see a course that is convenient, you can contact the local District Referee Administrator (DRA) and submit a request/alert to be notified when a new course is added to the schedule.
Step 3 - Enroll in your Course on LeagueGM
Once you have found a course you wish to take, and are logged in to LeagueGM, select the course using "Courses I Can Register For", confirm your registration, and follow the instructions for payment. You will receive confirmation by e-mail from LeagueGM and the course you have selected will appear on your personal page when you log again into LeagueGM. If unforeseen circumstances require you to drop or change courses, you can do so from the same secure page.
Step 4 - Complete The Online Requirements
After you have registered for the course, you must complete online requirements before you attend the classroom session. Log in to your "Course Student" menu and click on "My Scheduled Courses and Online Training". You will see all online requirements for every registered course in the information page. This is an individualized personal requirement that must be completed by you and not with someone else or by someone else or in a group. Follow through each one and complete all of them. Remember that completion is required before you attend the classroom session.
Step 5 - Attend the Classroom Course Session
After you complete the online requirements, plan to arrive at the classroom session at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the course. There is a lot of material to cover and the instructor will allow breaks as necessary. Bring paper and a No. 2 pencil to take the test with. If it is an all day session, bring your lunch and a snack. In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen event causing the course to be rescheduled or delayed, you will be notified by e-mail. You must be present for the entire classroom session and you must pass the test.
NOTE: You may print this page and use it as a checklist to help you while you are going through this process.