US SOCCER REFEREE PATHWAY
Details on the U.S. Soccer Referee Pathway can be read here. Per U.S. Soccer, new referees must be 13 years of age or older at the time of registration.
Requirements for ’24
 | Minimum Age Requirement Eligibility for a Grassroots course is that the minimum age is 13 years. |
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 | Entry Grassroots Online Course Learn how to facilitate a fair, fun and safe game for the players by enforcing and applying the laws of the game. |
 | SafeSport Certification & Background Screening Are required by federal law for those that are 18 years and older. Background screening is done through US Soccer. |
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 | Providing a safe playing environment. This training prepares referees to deal with player injuries and emergency situations. Mandated by US Soccer for all referees. |
 | First Time Grassroots Quiz This exam will be taken after completing the Grassroots Online Course. |
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 | Field Training This last step to becoming a referee is to attend a field training course where you will work with Coaches on exercises designed to prepare you for your first game as a referee. |
How to Register?
Create a Profile in the U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).
- The unique account identifier is an email address. Each referee profile must have their own email address. Parents/Guardians may add a secondary email address to each account profile.
- All email addresses must be verified. If you add a secondary email address, notify this individual they will receive a verification email to accept from the Learning Center. The link in the verification email is only active for 24 hours.
- After creating an account, select Courses – Available Courses – Grassroots First-time Referees – Go to Course List – Host – Georgia State Referee Committee.
- Register for a course near you!
- Mandatory for all referees 18 years of age or older.
- 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 until completed.
- Check your profile for the status and expiration dates for both of these components. The NCSI background screening lasts for two years. SafeSport training is valid for one year.
Click Courses, click Available Courses, then Supplemental Courses.
- The NCSI background screening may also be completed at the time of course registration.
- Complete all of the following assignments in the Assignments tab:
- Online Grassroots Referee Course
- Intro to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments
- 2024 First Time Grassroots Quiz
- 2024 Laws of the Game Update
Attend one (1) field training event (FTE) hosted by the State Referee Committee. FTEs are five (5) hours in length.
- The details regarding time and location are in the Learning Center course.
- Come prepared to run. Bring running shoes, turfs, or cleats as well as water or other liquids for hydration.
- Details on the time and location are in each LC course.
- Do not show up late! Referees should be at each game they are assigned a minimum of thirty (30) minutes before kick-off. Your first course is a good time to get into this habit.
- In the week leading up to the course, the lead Referee Mentor will email additional details that referee candidates and their parents or guardians will need to be aware of.
After completing all of the requirements, you will have a Grassroots Referee license in your Learning Center profile and will be given a 2024 Referee badge at the completion of your FTE. Certified referees may then use the Georgia Soccer Assignor List to locate an assignor near you. Email the assignors in your area to notify them you just became a certified Grassroots Referee, your age, and other pertinent details. Please note the tabs at the bottom to switch between youth clubs, amateur leagues, and tournaments. This document will be updated continuously.
