Question Number: 14962

Law 5 - The Referee 3/8/2007

RE: Adult

Mark Price of FRUITPORT, MI US asks...

My son is a player and referee. Last year during his re-certification class he was told he only had to recertify every other year. I can't find this in writing any where. Where can I find the guide lines for referee certification requirements

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The referee administrative handbook for US Soccer lists the requirements for re-certification at a grade 08 as passing the entry level referee test with 75% and 5 hours of in-service training annually. That book is available as a .pdf on the USSF website.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

In the admin book USSF policy is referees must recertify once per year. Certain states have not followed this and infact some states do not even make referees recertify. This may or may not be correct pending the state of MI. I do believe that MI requieres referees to recertify each year though.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's every year

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Recertification is every year. If you do not recert, you cannot ref in that year.

Recently though, and I don't know if this is nationwide or only in Michigan, if you sat out for a single year, you can take a recert class the next year to be certified again. In earlier years, if you did not recertify, you had to take the beginning class all over again when you wanted to rejoin the ranks.