Become A Referee

Instructions to Certify as a NEW referee for 2020

U.S. Soccer has decided to postpone or cancel a number of scheduled events through April 30 because of the outbreak of COVID-19. Safety and health of everyone is our highest priority. For this reason, Michigan Referee Committee has modified the referee certification process ….review and complete ALL six (6) steps below to become a USSF referee.

  1. All new referees must follow the instructions found at this link – DLC Sign-up and Course registration. The first step will navigate you to the U.S. Soccer Learning Center and “Sign Up” to create a Referee profile.
    1. The new referee must have attained the age of 13 on or before the date they “Sign Up”.
    2. Sign up using the referee name (not the parent or guardian).
    3. Use a unique email address for each referee.
  2. DO NOT complete the Background Check within the U.S. Soccer Learning Center (doing so will cost you $30 for which you will NOT be refunded). 
    1. All Michigan registered referees (18 years or older) complete their free background check when you register for a Grassroots Course through Game Officials (follow step 5 found below within this memo).
  3. All referees that are 18 years or older, must complete the Safe Sport Course. This FREE course is NOW available at the U.S. Soccer Learning Center once you log in at:

    https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee/courses/available/7/details/438

    1. Click on “Courses”
    2. Then click on the “Available Courses” tab.
    3. Under “Supplemental courses” – click on “SafeSport” and follow the instructions.
  4. All new referees must also complete the FREE U.S. Soccer Online Grassroots Referee Course. Follow the instructions found at this link – “DLC Sign-up and Course registration”.
    1. This 4.5-hour e-learning experience prepares candidates for their assigned tasks and responsibilities as a Grassroots Referee.
    2. If for some reason your password is no longer working or you require additional assistance – Contact one of the following:
      1. Ron Grobbel – syra@michiganRefs.org
      2. Carlos Folino – sra@michiganrefs.org
      3. Yuya Kiuchi – sdi@michiganrefs.org
  5. After completing steps 1-4, all new referees must also register for the GRASSROOTS On-line course.
    1. Registration for the course will require a payment of $67.50.
    2. From www.michiganrefs.org – click on “Class Registration” and choose 31051 Grassroot course.
    3. Click on New User and follow the instructions. Register using the same (new referee name) and email used for the U.S. Soccer Learning Center (step 1).
    4. Once you register for the course, make sure you complete the On-line modules by clicking the “Load Session Tracker” button. Both modules must be completed. If you cannot complete these modules at the time you register – you can always come back using the following process.
      1. Log in to your Game Officials account.
      2. Click on Confirm Reg and click your course link.
      3. Click on the “Load Session Tracker” button.
      4. Complete the Concussion module.
      5. Complete the U11 Heading Podcast.
    5. If you are 18 years or older, at this time the system will perform a background check on you, for which you will need to pass before you can be fully registered as a Referee.
    6. Afterwards, you will be ready to contact assignors for game assignments. (Click on Get Games)
  6. Once you complete all the requirements, please send the following to Carlos Folino.
    1. A self-addressed (your address) and stamped envelope.
    2. A proof of your completion of the U.S. Soccer grassroots module. This may be a print-out of the completion confirmation email you receive from U.S. Soccer or the following to download the U.S. Soccer Online Grassroots Referee Course certificate.
      1. Log on to your U.S. Soccer Learning Center account.
      2. Review your profile.
      3. Course Certificate >Grassroots Referee – Online Module Completion Certificate.
      4. Click on “Download Certificate”.
    3. Send both to Carlos Folino, 14210 Kerner Drive, Sterling Heights, MI 48313

You will receive your badge in the mail. Your reception of the badge will indicate that you have been certified as a referee for 2020. A field training session, however, is an important part of the certification process. Once we start our spring season, we will schedule several field training sessions. You will be required to attend one of these sessions. You will receive a follow-up email on this matter in the future.