How To Become A United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Referee

To become certified as an outdoor USSF official, an 18-hour course must be taken and a written test must be passed. The course is offered annually at Westminster High School. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-ins on the first date will be accepted if space permits. Tuition is $30.00, checks payable to OLBASO.  USSF registration is another $40 (checks payable to “Maryland Soccer Referees” or “MSR”).  With a portion of the course being online (as well as the test) we now need to say "Pre-registration IS necessary" (at www.marylandreferees.com)

Organizations other than the Old Line Board of Approved Soccer Officials (Carroll County) offer this certification at different times and at different locations. Check www.marylandsoccer.com/referees for information.

How To Maintain USSF Referee Certification

All officials must attend five hours of In-Service annually, take a test annually, and register annually. Registration with USSF requires that officials bring their pre-printed form sent from USSF in the fall, and the registration fee of $40 for Grade 8 referees or $45 for Grade 7 referees (checks payable to “Maryland Soccer Referees” or “MSR” or pay online).  Visit the Training link for the In-Service clinic dates.

How To Become A CISC Referee

To be assigned games as an official at Carroll Indoor Sports Center, one must be certified by one of the three certifying organizations for outdoor soccer in the United States: United States Soccer Federation (USSF), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), or National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). Then, an official must attend a CISC rules clinic and pass the CISC rules test. The clinic is given at least once annually with the next session on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at 7pm at Carroll Indoor Sports Center.

How To Become A High School Referee

To become a high school official with the Old Line Board of Approved Soccer Officials, a candidate must have passed the USSF referee class. An official must be over the age of 18 and a high school graduate. The official must attend a mandatory State High School Clinic. The clinic will be held in Westminster at Carroll Christian School on August 8, 2011 at 7pm. (Other clinic dates and locations may be found at www.mpssaa.org).

The candidate must be present at the full slate of high school meetings (Visit the High School link), just one miss allowed, and shall work three high school scrimmages for assessment, instruction, and observation. You must pass the National Federation of High Schools soccer rules test. Please contact Dave Kash, Commissioner of High School Officials via email at dksoccer7@gmail.com.

The complete list of requirements for officiating high school soccer are listed on the High School link.

Tips for New USSF Referees

• Always return phone calls and emails from the assignor. Please reply to the assignor even if you are unable to work. Furthermore, the referee should be making their own arrangements.
• Show professionalism. Arrive on time. USSF recommends arriving 30 minutes before the start of the match. Always bring your complete uniform including alternative jerseys. Uniforms should be well-kept and worn properly.
• Know the Laws of the Game and rules of competition. Different leagues and tournaments have specialized rules. You need to know these differences.
• New referees do not get first selection on games. Be prepared to drive a short distance or work at a site with only one or two games. Those referees who help the assignor cover games will in turn have the opportunity to move up. Please do not be discouraged if you do not receive assignments right away. There are fewer soccer games suited for new referees in the Spring than in the Fall. There is a big tournament over Memorial Day weekend at Gettysburg College with youth games suited to new referee development.
• Remember to recertify each year.
• In the unlikely event you feel the local assignor has not given you enough work, then you can access other assignors at www.marylandsoccer.com/referees. Also, local recreational councils would be thrilled to put you to work.
• Most Importantly - HAVE FUN!