Becoming a referee in Maryland is easy! Simply create an account in US Soccer’s Learning Center and select one of the two “New Referee” course options here in Maryland.
Once you’re Certified with you U.S. Soccer, you can Register to be a referee for MSYSA Managed Events!
For the First Time Referee Course (available to everyone age 13 and older), candidates must complete two components:
- Completion of all online coursework requirements. Online coursework requirements include:
- Online Referee Course – these modules will introduce the candidate to the Laws of the Game as well as how to prepare for and manage the game. Please Note – these modules will take approximately 4.5 hours to complete.
- Referee Quiz – after completing the first assignment, this quiz must be taken and passed.
- Introduction to Safe & Healthy Playing Environments (“Intro to Safety”).
- Laws of the Game Update 2024-25.
- SafeSport training – only required for those age 18 and older
- Background Screening – only required for those age 18 and older. The background screening is administered by US Soccer and costs $24. Please Note – the background screening can take 7-10 business days to process, so please complete this step as soon as possible. A successful screening is required BEFORE you attend the field session.
- Mandatory attendance of an in-person session. This course requires the completion of both the online course materials noted above and an in-person field session. All elements must be satisfactorily completed to obtain a license.
For the Digital Referee License (available to people age 18 and older), while the course does not have a mandatory in-person component, successful candidates are initially limited to working small-sided (e.g., 7v7, 9v9) youth recreational matches. To be permitted to work 11v11 amateur youth matches (e.g., 13U-18U), you will need to be observed by one or more Observer, Referee Mentor, or Referee Coach at one or more matches and receive a favorable report(s). The Course has one component:
- Completion of all online coursework requirements. Online coursework requirements include:
- To register for the digital Referee Course, contact Terry Miller for the correct link.
- Online Referee Course – these modules will introduce the candidate to the Laws of the Game. Please Note – these modules will take a minimum of 3-4 hours to complete.
- Referee Quiz – after completing the first module, this quiz must be taken and passed.
- Introduction to Safe & Healthy Playing Environments (“Intro to Safety”).
- Laws of the Game Update 2024-25.
- SafeSport training.
- Background Screening – The background screening is administered by US Soccer and costs $ 24. Please Note – the background screening can take 7-10 business days to process so please complete this step as soon as possible.
If you would like financial assistance to help cover the cost of the referee license, then please complete and submit an
MSYSA Heffelfinger Scholarship request.
If you have questions pertaining to becoming a new referee, please send an email to the Maryland State Director of Instruction, Larry Mittleman (sdi@marylandreferees.com).
