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Recertification for 2010

Recertification for 2010

If you currently hold a 2008 or 2009 referee badge, then you must "recertify" to referee in 2010. For those of you who received your very first (first in your lifetime) USSF badge after July 1, 2009 - you should automatically be sent a 2010 badge. All other referees must "recertify" every year. If you have not completed the "recertification process" before 12/31/2009, you may not officiate in 2010 until you do complete it -- and classes at the beginning of the year to recertify are pretty scarce. You CANNOT attend an "Entry Level Clinic" and get credit for recertification time. You must take classes that are designated for recertification.

Should you fail to re-register before the end of 2009, you may still recertify by attending classes at the start of 2010. Good opportunities are offered at "Super Saturday" (in Pierce County, usually end of February) and "Soccerfair" (in Tacoma), usually held at the end of April. Other sessions may be available as well, but you'll need to look for them on the WASRC_web_site and may need to travel a bit. Also, you may pay a little more to re-register late.

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! Current USSF policy says that if a returning referee does not recertify before June 1, 2010 then they MAY NOT referee during the remainder of 2010. There is no class you can attend, no waiver you can get, no person you can appeal to, to permit you to referee in the fall. Remember, the recertification process requires classes, a test, and registration. That takes time. DON'T Procrastinate!

Overview

After a referee has completed their basic education, they must go through a process to "recertify" each year and keep their license current. For a Grade 7, 8, or 9 referee (which applies to most of us officiating youth matches), recertification requires that you take 5 hours of continuing education each year, and pass the Entry Level Referee exam each year.

Do you need to recertify?

If you have a 2010 badge, meaning you have either already recertified, or you took your first entry level referee class after July 2009, you are set for being a referee in 2010. (Note: If you attended a class in July/August, you may have been handed a 2009 badge. You should be sent a 2010 badge automatically.)

If you received your referee license before July 1 in 2009, (for example, if you were licensed to referee 2009 Spring Soccer) then you will have a 2009 referee badge and must recertify before the end of 2009 to officiate during 2010. If you do not recertify before 12/31/2009, you may be assessed a penalty. If you continue to procrastinate and do not register by June 1, 2010, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OFFICIATE IN 2010!! Do Not Procrastinate!

How many hours of training have you taken?

Almost any referee education that you received after passing your entry level referee class can count towards the five hours of education you require. Examples of this include Referee Chapter Meetings, such as those hosted by East King County Soccer Referee Association (EKCSRA). Each of those normally have a one hour education segment. Some of you may have participated in summer tournaments that included evening education. Other sessions have been available during Super Saturday and Soccer Fair. LWYSA will also host special recertification classes duringthe last 3 months of the year. Write down all of these that you attended. You will need to try and remember the date, topic, and instructor. You can often find records of the information by going to the WA State Referee Committee web site. Look under clinics. (http://www.wasrc.org) (Hint: Remember to keep track of all this for NEXT year.) If you have reached your 5 hours, great! Next you need to retake the test. If you need training...see below.

Finding Referee Classes to get your 5 Hours completed

There are many opportunities available for you to attend referee education. These classes are held throughout the year and in many different cities. The best place to start is your local referee association. Most offer classes that can count towards your recertification. To see what classes are available, and which count towards recertification go to the Washington_State_Referee_Committee web site. When you arrive at that page, click on "Instruction" (on the left side) and look under "Clinics". There, you will find listed the many clinics available throughout the state. Look for those labeled "Chapter Meeting" or "Inservice". Be sure there is some indication that the class is valid for "recertification". Most Chapters are glad to welcome a referee from another location to their meetings. Most referee meetings have 10-20 folks that sit around and discuss some topic or listen to a presentation. Be sure you read the details though, sometimes there is a fee involved. Hint: If you forgot to write down the classes you took earlier in the year, you can look them up on the WASRC web site to get the instructor names and dates.

Taking the Test

You must pass the Entry Level Referee exam each year. The exam is often offered as a part of the education/recertification classes you will be attending. In the LWYSA area, EKCSRA sometimes sets up a time for people to take the exam. Check their web site to see if they are administering the test at their monthly meeting or another meeting. Visit their web site to stay current at www.ekcsra.org. It a good idea to get to know the folks there. If you continue as a referee, you will normally begin to "run lines" for higher level matches, and finally ref those matches. Higher level matches in our area are assigned through the EKCSRA. If you cannot attend an EKCSRA meeting, read the class descriptions carefully. Some of them will indicate that testing is provided. You can take a referee test at any location.

Documentation

When you are ready to complete your recertication, you need the following:

1. Recertification Form

   You must complete Washington State's recertification form. The form is available from the WASRC web site in either MS Word format or Adobe PDF format. Click_here to go to the WASRC site. Just click on the format you need and print a copy. Bring this with you.

2. Complete The Test

   In most case, you need not register ahead of time to take the test. READ THE CLASS DESCRIPTION to see if pre-registration is required. If not, just show up and take the test. Assuming you pass, you go on to the next step.

3. Fill Out A Referee Registration Form

   If the USSF does not send you a re-registration form in the mail, you will fill out the form at the test session. If you do get a re-registration form in the mail, you will save time if you fill in the form ahead of time. If you do so USE BLACK INK and take the time to write legibly. Bring it with you when you go to the meeting in which you will take the test. Take care to read all of the form. Write neatly. Fill in all needed information. Doing so accurately and LEGIBLY will reduce the chance for errors dramatically. This form is handed, along with the annual registration fee, to an ARA ("Area Referee Administrator") who is uually present at the testing session.

4. Pay Your Fees

   Hand your Recertification Form, Registration Form, and Referee Registration Fee ($50 for a Grade 8 referee - check payable to WRDA) to the registrar. Normally, they can hand you your new badge right then.