Becoming a USSF Referee has gone through several changes as of July 1, 2019. The new pathway can be found on the USSF website.
For most of the HVSRA officials serving the region, the officials will serve the youth and amateur adults leagues as a Grassroots referee.
Those officials who wish to move up the pathway to Regional or above, will need to meet the education, assessment and fitness levels required. Please contact a member of the board if you have any questions about the pathway.
BECOMING A NEW REFEREE: 2024/25 New Referee Candidates
Thank you for your interest in becoming a certified soccer referee in Eastern New York and working in District 4 - HVSRA.
The ENYSRA website has been updated with instruction on how to become a referee: https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/
1. REGISTER for a Grassroots Course which has an associated ZOOM session;
2. COMPLETE the online module on the US Soccer Federation Learning Center website plus a 1.5 hour online module on “Safe Sport.” Instructions below*;
3. ATTEND an on-line (virtual) training session using the ZOOM platform, focusing on Referee Administration. This is provided by ENYSRA;
4. ATTEND an in-person training session focusing on field mechanics. This is provided locally by ENYSRA Referee Mentors and supported HVSRA Mentors. Once you complete the field session, you will be given the name of the lead assignor, so you can receive matches;
5. COMPLETE your profile registration in RefInsight so you can be assigned games;
6. PAY your $50.00 local membership dues to the Hudson Valley Soccer Referee Association (HVSRA). By joining HVSRA, you will be included in our monthly education program, our mentoring program and receive regular support from our team. This support will substantially benefit you as a new referee.
This course is for new US Soccer referees in Eastern New York or referees that have not held a license in the past 3 years.
The required minimum age is 14 years at time of enrollment. There are no exceptions.
You must complete the online requirements one week prior to the "virtual" ZOOM clinic. Those that complete the online modules will be sent the credentials one day prior to the ZOOM.
Course Requirements
First Time Grassroots Referees completing registration through the Learning Center must complete the following requirements.
U.S. Soccer Federation Gold Standard NCSI Background Check (if 18 years or older)
SafeSport (if 18 years or older)
Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments
Online First Time Referee Course Modules (there are 5)
2024/25 Laws of the Game Update
2025 First Time Referee Quiz
Log into the ENY Game Officials account to create your profile for ENY:
https://enysra.gameofficials.net/public/default.cfm
NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN FOR THIS COURSE
ACCESSING YOUR ASSIGNMENTS
1) Go to "My courses"
2) Select your course, then click Go To Classroom
3) Select the "assignments" tab at the top of the page when you are in your course
4) Be sure to complete all assignments and make sure you have a green check mark on each assignment
Total cost to ENYSRC is $170 ($20 paid to the US Soccer Federation before taking the online course, $150 for the clinic), PLUS, $50 dues to HVSRA).
Any questions, contact Rob Miller at rmill21julie@gmail.com; or Brian Baer at president@hvsra.org
Registration is now open for the 2025 season. Registration MUST BE completed prior to June 30, 2025. NOTE: If you are using a Mac, you may experience difficulty with some of the courses loading using Chrome. It is suggested that you use FireFox, Safari or Internet Explorer. If you intend on officiating over the winter, you should complete your recertification prior to working.
Note: If you are a new referee and have already received your 2025 badge, you do not need to recertify.
NOTE: There are 3 components to recertification: Most everything is done through the US Soccer Learning Center. Below are the steps:
Open up the US Soccer Federation Learning Center and log into your profile. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, and CLICK on the “Referee Program”; CLICK on “Courses” then; CLICK “Available Courses” then; CLICK “Grassroots - Recertifying Referees” then; CLICK “Supplemental Courses” [just below “available courses”]. This is where you will begin the components to recertification:
Re-certifying Grassroots Referees completing registration through the U.S. Soccer Learning Center must complete the following requirements:
Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments
SafeSport (if 18 years or older)
Online Grassroots Referee Course Module
Re-certifying Grassroots Referee Quiz
U.S. Soccer Federation Gold Standard NCSI Background Check (if 18 years or older)
For the Re-certifying Grassroots Referee Quiz:
CLICK “Available Courses” then; CLICK “Licenses” then; CLICK “Grassroots - Recertifying Referees” then; CLICK “Course Details” [to the right of the box labeled “2024 ENY Grassroots Referee Recertification”].
You will then be brought to a new screen, where you will pay your $80.00 to USSF [a portion goes to ENY]. Once you make the payment, you will be brought to the portal for the Quiz.
Pay your HVSRA Dues, and upon completion of your 2025 Recertification Test, print a copy of the completion certificate, and email it to: HVSRA Sergeant-at-Arms AND HVSRA Secretary. Note: Failure to pay your dues will prevent you from being a member in good standing and will exclude you from the education, mentoring, support and services provided by the association.
Attend an in-person recertification educational event. Registration for these events will be posted to this site prior to 11/25/24. The first one in our area is scheduled for xx/xx/202x.
IMPORTANT: Upon completion of your recertification test and SafeSport, please print out your module completion certificates. You must pay for your USSF registration AND your HVSRA dues before you receive your badge. You will not be allowed to go directly to the Federation to obtain your badge.