Q. How do I register?
A. Go to the State Referee web site (http://www.vadcsoccerref.com). The instructions are on the front center of the page..
Notes -- You must first register and pay at the USSF site where you will be directed. Once you register, take a 24-48 hour break. This is the amount of time necessary for the USSF database to sync with the Va. State Referee database. Come back within 48 hours and log into your new referee profile. Once the State database recognizes your registration, follow the procedure to enroll in a clinic.
Please note: This is almost like registering for college classes. First you are accepted and then pay your tuition. Once you have completed that process you later register for your classes. And sometimes your favorite classes aren't available.
At the end of the process you will be able to print both a registration and clinic enrollment form. If you cannot produce a clinic enrollment form then you have not successfully registered for a clinic and may be turned away at the door. You can always go back to registration to manage your profile and select a clinic at that time.
Q. I registered and paid the $65 fee online but now the clinic also has a fee. It is $0. What does that mean?
A. Some advanced referee clinics have an associated fee for registration. The entry level referee clinics do not. The fee you pay is $65 to register as a referee and $0 to attend the clinic. Select the cost of $0.
Q. If I take a course from PWSRA do I have to ref for PWRSA/PWSI?
A. No. All refs are welcome to train with us and work elsewhere.
Q. Do I have to take a course from PWSRA to ref for PWRSA/PWSI?
A. No. You are welcome to get your certification anywhere.
Q. When I pass the test and become a referee how much more will it cost?
A. A referee needs a uniform and basic equipment. A basic uniform (jersey, shorts, socks) package will cost around $50-$60. The packages typically include accessories such as flags, whistle, data wallet, and red/yellow cards. A referee at the rec level can usually get by for the first season with one short-sleeve gold jersey. Referees who work competitive matches are expected to have alternate color jerseys (black, red, blue, green) and in long-sleeve as well as short. In both sleeve lengths, one could buy 10 different jerseys!
Q. How much will I make?
A. Rates vary widely. Center refs make more than Assistant Refs. The higher the age (and the longer the game) the more one makes. For one game as center for U8 or U10 the rates can be approximately $15-$20. Center refs for a U19 can pay $30 - $50 or more.
Q. How do I get games?
A. Once certified, a new referee needs to contact an assignor for a local club or league. The assignor should work with you to give you appropriate skill level games based on your age and qualification.
Q. Is there an age limit to ref?
A. The USSF makes no age restriction for a Grade-8 or Grade-9 referee. However, the Va. Child Labor Law permits youth referees to work provided they are at least 12 years of age. In addition, most assignors require a youth center referee to be at least two years older than the age group they referee. Most competitive leagues requires centers to be at least 16 years of age.
Q. Which course do you recommend to start?
We strongly recommend that new refs 12 and 13 years old, and maybe even 14 or 15, start with a Grade 9 course. A Grade 9 referee will be able to be a referee (center) or assistant referee on recreational matches at U-14 and below. A Grade 9 can also be an assistant referee on U-14 competitive (travel) matches. Realistically, at that age, their target assignments should be U14 and under. And we’ll go one step further. We believe that most 12 year olds will be better served by waiting until they are 13 or 14 to begin refereeing.
Q. Will I be certified to referee high school matches?
A. No. High school games are not played under the Laws of the Game but rather under rules written by the National Federation of High Schools. Contact the Commonwealth Soccer Officials Association for information about high school officiating.
