Grassroots Referee Recertification Requirements

All referees, regardless if they have attended a re-certification course or not,  will be expected to be familiar with the Laws of the Game changes and able to enforce them appropriately in all youth and amateur leagues.

Details on the new US Soccer Referee Pathway can be read here. Please review the Grassroots Referee Profile for general information and expectations of a Grassroots Referee.

The 2019-2020 changes to the Laws of the Game are much more extensive than in most years. If you will be refereeing in the Fall of 2019, it is of utmost importance to attend a re-certification course to receive instruction on these changes. The 2019-2020 Laws of the Game became effective June 1st, 2019. You have likely seen them live in action during the Women's World Cup, Gold Cup, and other competitions this summer.

To re-certify as a Grassroots Referee through December 31st, 2020 you must:

• Register for an In-Person Grassroots Re-Certification course in the Learning Center. Complete all online coursework, and then attend the In-Person course. ($90)
• Courses are throughout Georgia between July and early October. New course locations are being added on a continual basis.

If you are 18 years or older, also completing these two mandatory items:

• US Soccer NCSI Background Check ($30) – valid for two years (available inside the Learning Center by the end of July)
• SafeSport Training (Federal Law) – valid for two years​

What To Do Next

Step 1: Create a Profile at: US Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).

• The unique account identifier is an email address. Parents may not use their lone email address to register multiple referees. Each referee needs their own email address. Parents may add a secondary email address to each account in order to receive any emails their referee is receiving from either US Soccer or the Georgia State Referee Committee.
• The Learning Center will attempt to migrate your old registration data (lifetime) from the SalesForce Registration Database.
• If your full license history does not migrate in to your new Learning Center profile, email referee@ussoccer.org the following details:
  • ​Full Name (include any old names if a name change occurred)
  • Date of Birth
  • 16 Digit USSF ID
  • Any old email addresses​
• A known issue while creating an account in the LC is a browser timeout. If this occurs for you, the US Soccer recommended steps are to clear your browser history, cache, and cookies. Close your browser, and try again. Alternatively, try a different browser or device to create your account.
• While new referees must be 13 years of age or older to register, any current referees that are younger than 13 are grandfathered in. If the Learning Center prevents registration due to Date of Birth, email referee@ussoccer.org for assistance in creating your profile.

Step 2: Register for an In-Person Grassroots Recertification Course at: US Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).

• After creating an account, you must register for an In-Person Grassroots Re-certification Course.
• List of Available Grassroots Re-Certification Courses, or:
• Click Courses - Available Courses - Grassroots Courses - Re-certification. Use the Location drop down and select Georgia to find a course near you. Courses are $90. The In-Person course is five hours.
• 100% of the Grassroots Online Course must be completed before attending the In-Person course. The Grassroots Online Course is available in the Assignments tab after you register for an In-Person Course.  The estimated time to complete is 4.5-6 hours.
• New courses in various locations are continually being added as local leagues and clubs request to host courses in their area.

Step 3: Safe Sport Certification (mandatory if 18 years or older)

• Access Code: YC3E-6P5G-YYIL-CS2M
• Download your certificate, and upload in to the Learning Center through the assignments tab once you have registered for a course.
• Add US Soccer to your Memberships in your Profile
• Safe Sport must be completed before attending the In-Person course. Estimated completion time is 2-2.5 hours.
• Safe Sport is Federal Law passed by the United States Congress and is mandatory for anyone 18 years or older.

Step 4: Complete the US Soccer NCSI Background Check (mandatory if 18 years or older)

• Available inside the Learning Center by end of July 2019
• Valid for two years per check
• Mandatory for all referees 18 years or older

Step 5: Download the IFAB Laws of the Game (LOTG).

• The LOTG are also available as an app on both Android and iOS.​

GAReferees.Gameofficials.net is no longer in use for courses or registration. The State Referee Committee will continue to use this platform for some administrative functions, including sending blast emails to referees and other groups.

Email Anne Wright (awright@georgiasoccer.org) for general questions about the Georgia Soccer Referee Program.

Email US Soccer (referee@ussoccer.org) for general questions about the Learning Center, issues creating your account, background checks, etc.