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Common Questions From Prospective / New Referees:
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Question: When will a newly licensed referee start to work and how?
Answer: After successful completion of the USSF Entry Level Grade 8 Course, that newly licensed referee will be able to officiate games as soon as he/she has obtained a complete referee's uniform. Licensed referees are "Independent Contractors" and can secure game assignments based their availability from an Licensed USSF Assignor. Assignors work directly with referees to match their availability to league schedules and the match level with experience. |
Question: Once I get licensed, what additional training can I get or must I do?
Answer: Referees must re-certify annually by successfully completing five (5) hours of In-Service Training and passing the recert exam. In-Service Training is made available monthly in Columbia / Howard County generally on the third Thursday of most months for two hours 7pm to 9pm at various locations. Referees attending two of these may request the recert exam on their third session by emailing Craig Proffen (USSF Instructor). The State Referee Web Site also lists other training opportunities throughout the year at: http://www.marylandsoccer.com/referees/ |
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Question: I'm a player. Can the assignments be arranged around my team's schedule?
Answer: Yes! You decide when and how often you are available. The more flexible you can be the more opportunities an assignor will have to match the league schedule with your availability. |
Question: How or where do I find a list of Licensed USSF Assignors?
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Question: How many games should a referee expect to be assigned?
Answer: Assignors will normally assign matches in a group of two to three (2-3) per day based on league schedules and the referee's availability. Referees should never accept assignments for more than they can comfortably officiate based on their experience and fitness levels.
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Question: Will a new referee work as an A/R or Center Referee?
Answer: Depending on the games, new referees may get assigned either or both. Youth referees generally officiate as a center referee for matches that are 3-4 years younger (i.e. - A 13 yr old referee will normally officiate U8 to U10 matches). They will be assigned as an A/R for matches up to their own age or a year higher but not their own division. New adult referees will be assigned matches based on any prior experience as a player, normally U10 to U13 recreational as the center referee and as an A/R up to U15/U16. |
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Question: How much will a referee generally earn per game?
Answer: Referee fees are set by the leagues and are usually based on the age/skill level and duration of the match. In some cases, the referee's fee is also based on experience or referee grade. For example, a U9 recreational match which normally only has a center referee and is 50 minutes in length, might pay $14. A U14 recreational match which is normally 60 minutes in length might pay $20 for the center referee and $12 for each assistant referee. Compare that to a NCSL U14 D1 match and the center referee may earn $30 and $18 for each assistant referee. A CMSSL U9 match with 30 minute halves pays the center and only referee $30. Therefore, the fee earned will vary based on the assignments. New referees should expect to be assigned the less skilled matches and look to gain experience and an increase in earnings the longer they officiate. Most if not all matches normally pay at least $10-$12 and may be as high as $35-$40. Again, the more experience the higher the level the more the earnings. |
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Question: How often do referees get paid?
Answer: That depends on the referee organization that they get assignments from and even the league. Some referee organizations pay only once and at the end of the season. This is normally because that is when they get paid by the leagues. Others, like CSRA, pay at least once a month and thus the wait is much shorter. Referees should check with their local assigning organization to see before accepting assignments. |
Question: How else can I stay informed on referee news, classes, tournaments, etc?
Answer: Once licensed as a USSF Referee, you can request free membership to the Referee Yahoo Group. Membership is limited only to licensed referees and again is free. Requests should be made by going to www.Yahoo.com and clicking on "Groups". Once there, enter the group name MarylandSoccerReferees (all one word with an "s") and complete the profile. You do NOT have to have a Yahoo Email Address but will be asked to create a Yahoo ID and password that only you will know. Once at the MarylandSoccerReferees Yahoo Group, click on "Join the Group" and remember to include your full name in your profile. Without your full name to verify your status as a licensed referee, your membership will not be granted. |
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