How To Be Come A Referee
USSF 
High School 
College 
Risk Management
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Game Assignment

Skill Enhancement

Recertification
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Rules Of Competition
Grand Valley Soccer Association
State Cup
Midwest Regional League
Super Y
Premier
National Premier League

            
                                         USSF Referee


               Register at www.michiganreferee.org. Click on the "CLASSES" then on the class required. The required class may be taken at any scheduled site in the state of Michigan. Times, dates and sites will be listed by geographical area. Requirments for recertification are also listed as a reminder. You are also encouraged to go to www.gvsoa.org for additional date/time/site information for the Grand Rapids and Lakeshore areas (as well as Fremont and near areas). Typically, Grand Rapids has scheduled a grade 9 recertification class. Contact John Corbett or Mike Wint for addtional information. Both are on the "CONTACT US" page.     
     
                "Certification classes" usually are scheduled  in January and February.  These are the grade 9 class for those not currently certified with USSF, and the grade 8 class (the bridge class) to move from grade 9 to grade 8. Registration for class and payment is on-line at www.michiganreferee.org. Attendance for the entire class time is mandatory.

              "Recertification classes" are usually scheduled in November and December, following the conclusion of the fall soccer season. Referees MUST register for class and pay on-line at www.michiganreferee.org each fall. The referee must be present for the full class period. The referee remains at the same referee grade. The written exam is taken at the beginning of class. Arrive prepared.

              Upgrade information is on the "Upgrade" tab above, and at www.michigan.referee.org -> tools -> upgrading.

               To be eligible for game assignments in the Grand Valley Soccer Association, State Cup, Midwest Regional League, and the MSPSL, the referee must be currently certified by the USSF. Referees assigned to GVSA games must be a members in good standing of the Grand Valley Soccer Officials Association. A membership application is on the "Statement" tab above.

                                          USSF Assignor

              The certification and recertification of assignors is scheduled in the same manner as the referees, but is held in late winter/early spring. Go to www.michiganreferee.org. Register for a class and pay on-line. People certifying must attend the class in person. Those recertifying have an option to do so via a teleconference. The class is held only on one day, and lasts four hours. Those certifying must attend the first half (for the new people) and the second half (with those recertifying). Those recertifying via class only need to attend the second half of the class. To be certified/recertified you must be present for your full class/teleconference time. 

                  Assignors for GVSA clubs must be a member in good standing of the Grand Valley Soccer Officials Association. A membership application is on the "Statement" tab above.

                                        Risk Management Number

                         The Risk Management Card Information requires clarification because it has changed since 2010. In the upper-right corner is the word "KIDSAFE". Underneath it is the date the risk management card was issued. IT IS NOT THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION. In order to determine the expiration date add 2 years to the date printed.  For example: a date of 9-18-11 is the date the card was issued. The expiration date is really 9-18-13. (The RM card is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. That is why you must add 2 years to the printed date.)

                                           Basic Information

                 A current risk management number is required IF you want to certify or recertify as a USSF referee, AND you are (or will be) 18 years old as of the class date. Having a current RM# means you have passed a background check for certain types of offenses/convictions. If you are not able to obtain a RM# and want to be a USSF referee, your individual situation will have to be reviewed by the Michigan Referee Committee.

                 DO NOT APPLY BEFORE YOU ARE 18- your payment will be processed, but the system does not do the check unless you are at least 18 years old on the date you  apply for the rm#.

                 You should make sure that your Risk Management Card is not only valid as of the class date, but also during the season that your are officiating. Additional information & instructions for printing additional copies of the Risk Management card are at www.michiganreferee.org, "tools tab" then "Risk Management".

                 If you are required to have a RM#, and do not present a valid RM card (not just the number) to the instructor, the Michigan Referee Committee (and GVSOA) will allow you to take the class and the exam. If you pass the exam, you will NOT receive a referee badge until the instructor receives a copy of your valid RM card. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THE INSTRUCTOR VIEWED YOUR VALID RM CARD.

To apply for a risk management number (RM#), go to:

https://www.gotsport.com/asp/officials/register.asp?RA_DirectorID=8710  



                                High School and College Referees

             To certify and recertify, go to www.mhsaa.com and www.nisoa.com respectively. You should also contact the West Michigan Soccer Officials Association (www.wmisoa.com). WMISOA is an approved association for high school and college referee training/testing. WMISOA membership in good standing is one requirement to be eligible for game assignments in the Grand Rapids/Lakeshore Areas.