Referee Questions & Answers
Q. How do I become a Certified referee?
A. Prospective referees must attend and pass a course sponsored
and taught by the United States Soccer Federation. This provides you with
the required insurance coverage to referee games.
Q. How much does a course cost?
A. A Grade-8 course costs $100.00.
Q. How long is the course?
A. Generally a Grade-8 course is 8 hours of in class training. In addition you would be required to complete the online modules prior to the class. A typical Grade-8 course would be one full session (on a Saturday) with a 50 question exam the day of the class.
Q. Does everyone pass the course?
A. No. There is an exam and one must qualify by passing. Bottom line is that almost everyone who listens to the instructor's instructions and prepares by reading the Laws of the Game and the USSF Publication Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game will do well.
Q. Where can I locate information about courses?
A. PA West link to referee information is over to the right of the page, or contact our Referee Coordinator.
Q. When I pass the test and become a referee how much more will it cost?
A. A referee needs 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) and in long-sleeve as well as short.
Referees also must provide three clearances (State Police Background, Child Abuse clearance and FBI finger print all required per PA State LAW!
Q. How do I get games?
A. Once certified a new referee needs to contact the assignor for a club. The assignor will 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. You must be 14 years of age or older to sit for the Grade-8 certification. For in-house program you must be at least 12 years of age. In addition, we require our referees to be at least two years older than the age group they referee. Our competitive leagues (travel) require centers to be at least 14 years of age and hold a grade 8 and be current with certification.
Q. What is required to maintain my current grade?
A. All grades must take a recertification course each year. PA West holds a Referee courses in multiple locations around the region. KASL also hosts a course each year (see PA West web site www.pawest-soccer.org).
Q. I missed getting recertified what can I do?
A. Contact the Clubs Referee Assignor