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Grassroots Referee Recertification Requirements

2021 Recertification is open: Grassroots Recertification Online Course​

Please add memberupdate@georgiasoccer.org to your safe senders list or to your email's contact list to ensure you receive email communications from the State Referee Committee. Otherwise, these emails may go to your Spam folder.

Details on the new U.S. Soccer Referee Pathway can be read here. 

If you were certified in 2018 or 2019 and your certification has lapsed, you can recertify by completing the below online only requirements. Once all requirements are completed and a Grassroots Referee license appears in your profile, you are certified from that date through December 31st, 2021.

Please review the Grassroots Referee Profile for general information and expectations of a Grassroots Referee.

You can download and print your Grassroots Referee License directly from your profile in the Learning Center. To view your profile, hover your cursor above your name in the top right, and click Profile.

Please consult the Learning Center FAQ page if you have any questions. 

Instructions to Recertify

U.S. Soccer eliminated the mandatory in-person course requirement to recertify as a Grassroots Referee. The recertification process is completed entirely online.

  • Log in to your profile in the U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center.
    • ​If new, see directions below for creating a new profile.
  • Once registered, click on the "Assignments" tab and complete the following:
    • ​Grassroots Recertification Refresher + LOTG Update
    • 2020 Intro to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments
    • 2020 Recertifying Grassroots Referee Quiz
  • Assignments may be accessed after registration by logging back in to the Learning Center - clicking Courses (top left) - click My Courses - Go To Classroom - Assignments (tab)
  • ​If the referee is 18 years of age or older, they must also have a current Background Screening and SafeSport completed.
    • If the referee turns 18 during the registration year, they will receive an automated email from U.S. Soccer reminding them to return to the Learning Center to complete these requirements.
    • If they are not completed, their license is removed and they will no longer be eligible to referee.
​Once all assignments are completed (they will say "Satisfactory" and turn green in the assignments tab) you will be granted a Grassroots Referee license. This can be viewed and downloaded directly from your profile. You may also view the status of your Background Screening and SafeSport in your profile.
 

Detailed Instructions

1. Creating a new profile in the U.S. 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 must have their own email address. Parents may add a secondary email address to each account profile.
  • The Learning Center will attempt to migrate your old registration data (lifetime). Accept when prompted. If successful, you should see your entire lifetime registration history in your profile. Go to your new profile and confirm your lifetime license history appears correct.
  • If your lifetime registration history does not migrate into your new Learning Center profile, you must go to your profile in the LC and click to request a profile merge. The LC will not allow you to register for the recertification course if your profile does not contain a 2018, 2019, or 2020 referee license. This will be processed by U.S. Soccer administrators within 5 to 7 business days.
  • If you are experiencing technical issues with creating an account or completing the online assignments, the U.S. Soccer recommended steps are to clear your browser history, cache and cookies, then close and restart your browser. If this does not solve the issue, try a different browser and/or device to create your account.

2. Complete the U.S. Soccer NCSI Background Screening (mandatory if 18 years of age or older).

  • Valid for two years per check
  • Mandatory for all referees 18 years or older
  • Available Inside the Learning Center
    • ​Click "Courses," "Available Courses" and then "Background Screening" under "Supplemental Courses" on the left​-hand side
  • ​The full cost of the background check goes to NCSI. Neither Georgia Soccer nor U.S. Soccer keep any of the costs for this mandatory requirement.

3. Register for the Grassroots Recertification Online Course in the U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).

  • After creating an account, you must register for the Grassroots Recertification Online Course.
  • In the LC, click "Courses," "Available Courses,"  "Grassroots Recertifying Referees," and then "Go To Course List."
    • Use the location filter and select Georgia.
    • Register for 2021 Grassroots Referee Recertification Course.
  • ​If the Learning Center does not allow you to register for the recertification course, it is likely due to your license history not merging in to your new Learning Center profile. If you do not see a 2018, 2019, or 2020 license in your profile, it will prevent registration in the 2021 Recertification Course.
    • Click the profile merge request from inside your profile.
  • ​Once your lifetime license history has merged, you will be able to register for the recertification course.

4. Safe Sport Training (mandatory if 18 years of age or older)

  • Click "Courses," "Available Courses" and then "SafeSport" under "Supplemental Courses" on the left​-hand side.
  • Safe Sport is a Federal Law passed by the United States Congress and is mandatory for anyone 18 years or older.

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

  • The LOTG are also available as an app in both the App Store and Google Play. All referees should download and have the LOTG app available with them at the fields.

GAReferees.Gameofficials.net is no longer in use for courses or registration.

Email Anne Wright (awright@georgiasoccer.org) for general questions about the Georgia Soccer Referee Program, or any assistance with registration.

Also email (CC) U.S. Soccer (referee@ussoccer.org) for general questions about the Learning Center, issues creating your account, background checks, etc.

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