Grassroots Referee Certification Overview (new referees)
*** There is still time to train to be a referee for the fall season, but you need to act quickly. Field training classes will be held August 29 and September 7. Students MUST complete their online work before they can schedule this required field training. First-come, first-served, and spaces in classes are limited, so prospective referees should register and complete online lessons as soon as possible. ***
Certification courses are held around the state, typically in the Winter (December-April) but also during the Summer, primarily in August.
Referees can certify and recertify at any official course across the state and be assigned games from multiple leagues and clubs (e.g. you can certify in Fairfax but work games in Loudoun).
Certification consists of three phases:
* Online: this is conducted via the Metro DC-Virginia State Referee Program and the US Soccer Learning Center. Most new referees need 4-6 hours to complete the online instruction.
* Classroom Instruction: scheduled at various locations and lasts 3 hours (Classroom instruction is not occurring for 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, but new referees can still certify by taking the online component and attending an outdoor, field training session. The online portion is now longer: you should expect 6-8 hours, on average)
* Field Instruction: scheduled at various locations and lasts about 3 hours. (Field instruction is now 4 hours)
Referees over the age of 18 must also complete SafeSport training, and pass a background check.
The cost to certify is $80, which is paid directly to US Soccer (two separate payments of $60 and $20). Loudoun Soccer will reward newly certified referees who earn at least six (6) bonus points officiating their first season with an additional $50, to help offset the costs associated with becoming a referee.
Please note: new referees will have to create a registration profile first; a valid and active email address is required. Parents of youth referees can create this profile for their child as needed.
CLICK HERE for additional details on how to register