Certification

USSF Referees must complete the U.S. Soccer certification process to become a new referee and to recertify each year.

NEW USSF Referees

US Soccer requires referee candidates to be at least 13 years old.

New Referee Flyer (PDF)

STEP 1: US Soccer Learning Center Online Classes

https://learning.ussoccer.com/
Make an account.
Courses -> Available Courses -> Grassroots First Time Referee-> Go to Course List ->
Select Appropriate Class
Complete all assignments listed below:

Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments – 1 hr.
SafeSport (if 18 years or older) – 1 hr.
Online Grassroots Referee Course Module –
4.5 hrs.
First Time Grassroots Referee Quiz – 45 mins.
U.S. Soccer Federation Gold Standard NCSI Background Check (if 18 years or older)

ALL of online work listed above should be completed PRIOR to attending Field Training Session.

STEP 2: Attend ONE Field Training Session listed below: 3 hrs.

Toledo
January 13 @ Noon-3pm
Pacesetter Indoor Soccer
5400 W. Central Ave
Toledo, OH 43615

Archbold
February 11 @ 1-4pm
Ruihley Park
320 N. Defiance St.
Archbold, OH 43502

Toledo
March 10 @ 1-4pm
Pacesetter Indoor Soccer
5400 W. Central Ave
Toledo, OH 43615

Bowling Green
January 27 @ 9am-Noon
Perry Fieldhouse
801 N Mercer Rd,
Bowling Green, OH 43402

Bluffton
February 24 @ 9am-Noon
St. John Bible Church
15988 Road 4
Pandora, OH 45877

How much does it cost?

US Soccer Online Class: $65
NCSI Background Check: $30
Basic Uniform Referee Kit: $60
You will earn back the startup cost in 4-5 games
Terry Thompson Memorial Scholarship will reimburse new referee certification training fees ($50) after completing 12 games. Details at http://nwosoa.org/scholarship/

Need Help? Have Questions?

Contact Aaron Wolfe
Toledo District Referee Administrator
awolfe12@gmail.com

RE-Certifying USSF Referees

STEP 1: US Soccer Learning Center Online Classes

2024 Re cert Help
https://learning.ussoccer.com/
U.S. Soccer Federation Gold Standard NCSI Background Check (if 18 years or older)- $30
SafeSport Training (if 18 or over)
Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments
2024 Online Referee Course Module & Laws of the Game Update – $65
Re-certifying Referee Quiz (50 correct questions)

STEP 2: Contact your local assignors and follow their game assignments process.

If you use Arbiter: Renew your NWOSOA membership on Arbiter and update your availability.
- $15 for NWOSOA: USSF only
- $20 for NWOSOA: OHSAA only
- $30 for NWOSOA: both USSF and OHSAA
Game Officials is no longer in use.
If assigned without an online portal: Follow the assignors’ procedures for getting assignments.

Important Reminders

1) Keep your availability updated regularly
2) Accept or reject assignments daily so that assignors can move on to other referees to fill the game.
3) If something comes up and you cannot do a scheduled game, you must reach out to your assignor immediately.

Need Help? Have questions?