CHANGES IN USSF RECERTIFICATION for 2009

From: Steve Horton, Regional Instruction Coordinator

Changes in USSF Re-certification for 2009

Fellow Referees:

USSF has made several changes in the re-certification process for next year, which will affect all of us.

The most significant is that the exam will change.  USSF has created a Re-Cert specific exam which 100 questions, plus the written Fouls, Technical Violations, Cautions, and Send-Offs.  It is more detail oriented and focused on actual play situations.  And it is more difficult than in previous years.

Anyone who is not a regular “test-taker” or who has passed marginally in previous years will have to study the Laws of the Game, Guides to Procedures, and review course materials in order to pass.  All of the material is available on-line, and there are also some study guides available.

Another second change on the exam is the addition of the 3 cautions applicable to substitutes to the written portion on the back of the answer sheet.  You must be able to list all fouls and misconduct, now including the 3 which are also applicable to subs.

USSF has also raised registration fees for 2009 in all referee, assessor, and instructor Grades.  Grade 8/9/12 registration fee is now $40.00.  Grade 7 is $45.00.

Finally there are training sessions every month, approximately 2 hours each, at several locations in Maryland: Ellicott City, Frederick/Myersville, and Westminster.  The schedules are posted at the Maryland Referee website.  These hours count towards re-certification.  The exam will also be available at these sessions several times, however you cannot take the exam until after you have achieved the 5 hours of training required.

As a result, there will be fewer large 6-hour sessions available, both locally and across the state, to re-certify and register before 2009 soccer begins.  I strongly recommend attendance at the monthly training to achieve recertification; you learn more during the season working games and you will create several more opportunities to take (and pass) the re-certification exam!

The local area instructors and the association are willing to help you recertify, but you need to take the initiative to begin the process.

Steve Horton

RecertificationUpdated July 15, 2008

After you have taken the Entry-Level Referee course, Grade 8, Grade 9 (Recreational), or STAR and gotten your USSF Badge, what next?  Obviously, you do games, get experience, and begin to learn “real refereeing.”  But your original badge is only good for a year, and then you need to demonstrate that you still know the rules.

What is recertification?

Recertification is an annual process of instruction and examination to maintain your knowledge of the Laws of the Game and USSF Guidance to referees.

Who need to recertify?

USSF requires all referees recertify and register every year.  These requirements are set out in the Referee Administrative Handbook (~ page 20).  Copies of this manual are normally available through the state referee committee or on line at: http://ussoccer.com/referees/refdev/rah.jsp.html

What are the annual requirements for Grade 8 Referees?

5 hours of in-service training and passing score of 75% on a refresher exam.

For Grades 7 and above, please see the manual, but also include formal on-field assessments and a physical fitness test.

How do I get the in-service training?

In Maryland the State Referee Committee by way of the State Director of Instruction, organize in service clinics in many most areas.

Currently for Grade 8 referees there are one-time annual sessions of six hours including testing and administrative time or monthly sessions of approximately two hours each in some areas.  Attendance at either type of clinic is recorded and tracked.

If you attend monthly clinics you need to attend three sessions, or there are Major League Soccer “Referee Days” (~ 3 per year) which can count as one hour towards recertification, so two monthly clinics and one Referee Day would meet the 5 hour requirement.  You may also attend monthly sessions in any or several of the areas.

Use this link fro Maryland Recertification events: http://www.marylandsoccer.com/referees/recerts.htm

What does it cost to attend clinics and recertify with USSF?

As of July 2008, Maryland does not charge for attending a clinic, either monthlies or an annual clinic.

However, after taking the exam, there is a charge, set by USSF, to reregister.

What is on the refresher test?

The refresher test is the similar to the original test.  USSF has created a new, 100 question Grade 7 & 8 recertification exam for 2009 which is more difficult but game oriented.  You will also be required to list the 10 major fouls, 8 minor fouls, 7 cautions, 3 cautions to substitutes, and 7 send-offs.

Is there anything else I need to reregister with USSF?

Yes.  In August prior to the new registration year, you should receive a registration form from USSF with your personal information.  You should bring this form with you to the exam.  If you do not receive this form, you can download one from the USSF website, or the clinic staff will also have forms (but then you have to fill it out neatly by hand).

One item on the registration form is for experience; you should get a “game count” from your game log or whatever method you use to track game assignments.  This is also available thru your Arbiter account.

And the registration has to be accompanied by the registration fee – check or cash – or the USSF on-line receipt.  The Maryland Express soccer e-mail system will provide current year instructions before the start of the reregistration period.

Where can I find study materials before a recertification test?

First of course, you have the Laws of the Game from your original Grade 8 class or recertification last year, but it’s available on line at USSF and FIFA.

USSF also publishes Advice to Referees, Q&A, Additional Instructions, Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees, and Fourth Officials, and numerous memoranda available on-line at USSF.  The original course material is available here also! http://www.ussoccer.com/referees/refdev/ins.jsp.html

Another handy link is http://www.ussoccer-data.com/ .

Do I need to study the Laws of the Game before the test?

Only if you want to PASS.

What about a new USSF referee badge?

You should receive a new badge and a copy of the Laws of the Game when you register and pay at the end of the clinic.  Before the clinic, you may want to go here for LotG:

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/lotg%5fen%5f55753.pdf

If during the year you lose your referee badge, new badges are available at: http://friinc.onet.net/catalog/login3.html . To do this you will need your USSF ID number.  Velcro disks for badges are available thru referee equipment dealers.