USSF Referee Registration and Training

Persons who wish to officiate games sanctioned by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) must register with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and attend a training clinic each year.

New Referees

New officials may choose from two entry points to the USSF referee program:

Recreational Referee (USSF Grade 9)

• Recommended minimum age: 12
• 8 hour training course
• $20 USSF registration fee plus $5 clinic fee
• Certified for Rec and Rec Plus games through Under 14 (referee and assistant referee) and Competitive games through Under 14 (assistant referee only)

Referee (USSF Grade 8)

• Recommended minimum age: 16
• 16 hour training course
• $25 USSF registration fee plus $5 clinic fee
• Certified for all youth games through Under 19 (referee and assistant referee)

New officials register and pay at the clinics that they attend.

Returning Referees

Returning Grade 9 referees may:

• recertify by attending a recertification clinic (where they take the Grade 9 test)

or

• upgrade by attending a Bridge course or an entry level Grade 8 clinic.

Either way, they pay a $20 registration fee and a $5 clinic fee.

Returning Grade 8 referees must attend a recertification clinic. They pay a $25 registration fee and a $25 clinic fee.

All returning Grade 8 and Grade 9 referees must register and pay online before attending a clinic. See the website of the Minnesota State Referee Committee at www.minnesotasrc.org for instructions.

Game Assignments & Mentors

Each club has a referee coordinator who assigns officials to games based on their age, experience, and availability. Some clubs assign experienced referees to serve as mentors for young or inexperienced officials. Contact clubs in your area for details.

Youth Employment Policy

State and federal child labor laws apply to sports officials under the age of 16 and to the clubs that employ them. See http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/programs/youthreferee.cfm for details.

Questions?

For more information, see the State Referee Committee website (www.minnesotasrc.org) or contact Peter Jarnstrom (peterj@hickorytech.net or 507-351-0294).