GVSOA
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Statement
    • Constitution/Bylaws >
      • Membership Application
  • Tools
    • Web sites
    • Game Asssignment
    • Calendar
    • Competitions
    • Pre-season meetings
    • Equipment
    • Weather
    • Tournaments
  • Certification
    • Assignor
    • USSF
    • Upgrade
    • Certif/Recert
  • Programs
    • Respect!
    • KNOW THIS!
    • Skill Enhancement
    • Mentors
    • Training
  • Contact Us

Certification & Recertification:

                           Referee/Assignor Certification & Risk Management


How To Be Come A Referee
USSF 
High School 
College 

______________________

Game Assignment

Skill Enhancement

Recertification
______________________

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


               Register at www.michiganrefs.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 hosts a grassroots certification and recertification classes. 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 grassroots certification classes for those not currently certified with USSF. Grassroots re-certification classes are held in November and December. Instructions for registration and payment are on-line at www.michiganrefs.org.

                 Certifcation and re-certification require registration in USSoccer and with the Michigan Referee Committee (www.michiganrefs.org). Material and testing is primarily on-line. Field work and an in-person class are also required. Instructions for both processes are at www.michiganrefs.org.

                

              "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 via their 1303 Registration and Learning identity  each fall. The referee must be present for the full class period. The referee remains at the same referee grade. The exam and accompanying modules are on-line, and should be passed PRIOR TO the class. The referee may take the exam as many times as needed to pass. Arrive prepared. If you do not pass the exam prior to class, attend the class and bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope and give it to the instructor. When the instructor receives confirmation you passed all on-line requirements, the badge will be mailed in the provided envelope.

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

               To be eligible for game assignments in the Grand Valley Soccer Association, State Cup, Midwest Regional League, Director Academy and the MSPSL, the referee must be currently certified by the USSF. IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR GVSA ASSIGNMENTS, Referees must be a members in good standing of the Grand Valley Soccer Officials Association (GVSOA). A membership application is on the "About Us" tab above, following the statement.

                                          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.michiganrefs.org. Register for a class and pay on-line. People certifying must attend the class in person. Whether assignors re-certifying attend an in-person class in addition to the on-line is at the discretion of the State Director of Assignors. Each class is 3-4 hours long.

                  Assignors for GVSA clubs must be members in good standing of the Grand Valley Soccer Officials Association. GVSOA assigns assignors to clubs. A list of assignors and their clubs are on the "CONTACT US" tab. A membership application is on the "About Us" tab above, following the statement.



Kid Safe and Risk Management

                         In the upper-right corner of the coach's ID card is the word "KIDSAFE". Underneath it is the date the card was issued. IT IS NOT THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION. In order to determine the expiration date add 1 year to the date printed.  For example: a date of 9-18-20 is the date the card was issued. The expiration date is really 9-18-21. (The RM card is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. That is why you must add 1 year to the printed date.)

                        Part of the certification/recertification procedure for referees, assignors, instructors and assessors  with USSF is to pass a background check (risk management). When you apply to recertify or certify, the background check is automatically performed. If there is no problem when you apply, you take the tests, pass the tests, attend the class, and your USSF ID card is sent to you. If there is a problem, the system will not let you complete the registration procedure. YOU MUST CONTACT CARLOS FOLINO  (sra@michiganreffs.org) PROMPTLY  FOR ASSISTANCE/REVIEW.
                         




                                High School and College Referees

             To certify and recertify, go to www.mhsaa.com or www.nisoa.com respectively. You should also contact the West Michigan Soccer Officials Association (www.wmsoa.org). WMSOA is an approved association for high school and college referee training/testing. WMSOA membership in good standing is one of the requirements to be eligible for high school and college game assignments.