Grassroots Referee Recertification Requirements

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 that you complete the Grassroots Recertification Online Course.

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.

Instructions to Recertify

U.S. Soccer has recently eliminated the mandatory in-person course requirement to recertify as a Grassroots Referee. The registration fee to recertify as a Grassroots Referee through December 31st, 2020  is $90. Starting January 1st, 2020 there will be a $15 late registration fee assessed.

• Create a profile in the U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center
• Register for the Grassroots Recertification Online Course​
  • ​Note: If you are 18 years of age or older, you will not be able to register until the Background Check has been authorized.
• Once registered, click on the Assignments tab and complete the following:
  • ​Grassroots Online Course
  • 2020 Intro to Safe & Healthy Playing Environments
  • 2020 Grassroots Referee Certification Quiz
  • SafeSport Training (if 18 years of age or older)
• ​2020 badges will be mailed in December 2019.
  • ​If you are a returning referee whose certification lapsed and have completed all requirements, email Anne Wright (awright@georgiasoccer.org) to be mailed a badge.

​The Georgia State Referee Committee will also be hosting the following training and development opportunities, at no additional cost:

• Field Training Sessions
• Expanded Mentoring (formerly referred to as Assessments)
• Referee Academies during Tournaments and Other Sanctioned Events
• Webinars Led by Current FIFA Referees and National Referee Coaches
• Participation in the new Georgia Soccer Referee Academy
• Traditional In-Service Classroom Sessions​

These programs and initiatives align with the U.S. Soccer Referee Program's goal of providing more practical training on the field, as opposed to the previous mandatory classroom sessions. U.S. Soccer and the SRC believe these programs and opportunities will better train and develop Grassroots Referees for the modern game. Free registration for these events will be in the Learning Center and also posted here.

Detailed Instructions

1. Create a 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 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 U.S. Soccer or the Georgia State Referee Committee.
• The Learning Center will attempt to migrate your old registration data (lifetime). Accept when prompted.
• If your full license history does not migrate in to your new Learning Center profile, email both referee@ussoccer.org and learningcentersupport@ussoccer.com 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, the U.S. Soccer recommended steps are to clear your browser history, cache and cookies, close your browser and try again. If this doesn't solve the issue, try a different browser and/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 both referee@ussoccer.org and learningcentersupport@ussoccer.com  for assistance in creating your profile.

2. Complete the U.S. Soccer NCSI Background Check (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 - Background Screening under Supplemental Courses on the left

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 and then Grassroots Recertifying Referees.
  • Use the location filter and select Georgia.
  • Register for 2020 Grassroots Recertification Course (Online)
• ​If the Learning Center does not allow you to register for a course, email both referee@ussoccer.org and learningcentersupport@ussoccer.com for assistance.

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

• Click Courses - Available Courses - SafeSport
• Safe Sport is a Federal Law passed by the United States Congress and is mandatory for anyone 18 years or older.

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

• Valid for two years per check
• Mandatory for all referees 18 years or older

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.

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.com) for general questions about the Learning Center, issues creating your account, background checks, etc.