2020 referee badges were mailed to referees who completed all requirements by December 10th, 2019 and were granted a Grassroots Referee License in their Learning Center profile.
If you complete your online requirements after this date and are granted a Grassroots Referee License, continue to wear your 2019 Referee badge until you receive your 2020 badge in the mail.
2020 badges will be mailed at the end of each month, starting at the end of January.
You can download and print your Grassroots Referee License directly from your profile in the Learning Center as proof you are certified for 2020.
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.
Once all assignments are completed (they will say "Satisfactory" in the assignments tab) you will granted a Grassroots Referee license. This can be viewed and downloaded directly from your profile.
Detailed Instructions
1. Create a Profile in the U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).
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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.
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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.
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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 you profile does not contain a 2017, 2018 or 2019 referee license. This will be processed by U.S. Soccer administrators within 5 to 7 business days.
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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.
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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 referee is currently younger than 13 you must email both referee@ussoccer.org and awright@georgiasoccer.org the following information to have your account activated:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Email Addresses (any that could be linked to your registration history)
- USSF ID
2. Complete the U.S. Soccer NCSI Background Check (mandatory if 18 years of age or older).
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Valid for two years per check
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Mandatory for all referees 18 years or older
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Available Inside the Learning Center
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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).
4. Safe Sport Training (mandatory if 18 years of age or older)
5. Download the IFAB Laws of the Game (LOTG).
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.
Email U.S. Soccer (referee@ussoccer.org and learningcentersupport@ussoccer.org) for general questions about the Learning Center, issues creating your account, background checks, etc.