How do I become a referee?

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That’s a fantastic question. Let’s walk through some typical questions asked.

 

How old do I need to be?

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If you are 13 years old or above, you are able to be certified as a referee.

 

What does it mean to be certified? And, do I have to be certified?

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Recreational leagues in the Grand Strand do not require you to be certified, however having any opportunities outside of these games do require certification.

 

How do I become certified?

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US Soccer provides online training for certification which includes 5-6 hours of coursework, and finishes with on-the-field training done in person by one of our local referee mentors.

The link to access the First-time Grassroots Referee course is here (https://learning.ussoccer.com/)

 

Do I need a uniform?

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Yes. To begin refereeing you need a basic uniform (yellow USSF shirt, black shorts, referee socks, and black shoes). These can be easily purchased at Official Sports (https://officialsports.com/referee-uniforms/) or on Amazon.

 

What else do I need to be a referee?

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A digital watch and a set of referee flags to help as an Assistant (line) referee.