New Referee FAQs
A: NYS Labor Law mandates that the minimum age requirement is 14. Note that the participant must be 14 years old at the time of course registration.
You must complete the certification process first. All of:
- Online modules,
- Zoom class and
- Field training
You must wait 1 week after your field session for an email from your Assignor to setup your assigning platform and how to get games. Keep an eye on your Spam/Junk folder for this email.
If a course that has Closed Registration status but the listed class (Zoom) date hasn’t happened yet, you may be eligible to be transferred in if you meet all of:
- Registering for the open class (the later date)
- Complete ALL assignments at least two business days before the listed date including the background check
Once the above are complete, reach out via email to questions+newref@enysreferee.org requesting to be transferred into the sooner class and mention your (candidate) name and send a screenshot of your Assignments showing as all completed.
If it is less than two business days from the class, being transferred into it won’t be possible. No worries because you can still finish the course requirements sooner/quickly by completing all the online modules and you’ll be fast-tracked into completing the other process steps beforehand i.e. don’t wait until your Zoom date to complete everything.
Safe Soccer is a more expansive compliance set of requirements added by US Soccer in late 2024 as a trial and is optional for referees.
https://learning.ussoccer.com/safe-soccer
At this time, you only need to complete:
- Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments
- SafeSport Training (if 18 years old or above)
- Background Screening (if 18 years old or above)
You may optionally complete the other modules if you would like to but they are not necessary for certification/recertification.
Online Modules FAQs
If you have completed all required modules, you will receive a calendar invite with the relevant information the night before the Zoom (keep an eye out on your Junk/Spam folder in your email inbox).
In addition, the Zoom link will appear on the home page of the New Referee course (see example below on the right side beside the word “Virtual”).
Note that we do NOT use the Communications tab in the course (pictured below). Initiating a Video Call there does not do anything.
If you are not eligible for the Zoom due to not completing the modules on time, you will be transferred to a waitroom course until you complete all your requirements. To be transferred to the next Zoom class instead, request an extension by email to questions+newref@enysreferee.org.
Sometimes, you can get stuck on a slide on the Learning Center because of:
- no button appearing to lead you to the next slide
- a prompt saying “Connection Issue”
Try the following steps individually to see if it resolves the issue.
- Ensure you are using a Desktop computer using Google Chrome.
- Make sure that you have watched all videos in their entirety on the page in question (scrolling down can pause the video a second before it fully finishes).
- Log out and back in again and re-open the module. Ensure to select Restart instead of Resume.
If none of the above work, file a ticket here: Learning Center Support
Share a Loom of the issue you are facing and explain in detail the issue you’re facing. It could take several business days for it to be resolved so please be patient. The more details you provide, the easier it is to provide a straightforward solution.
Be sure to open SafeSport on a desktop computer on Google Chrome.
If you’re having more issues, read below.
https://ussf.my.site.com/lcsupport/s/article/Why-can-t-I-launch-SafeSport
If you’re still stuck after all that, file a ticket with SafeSport directly.
https://safesport.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/4/group/9/create/32
If your background check is stuck in “Submitted” state or has come back rejected, you can reach out to rapidresponse@jdp.com to inquire about the status.
This is especially important if you lived outside the United States in the last 7 years because they will require an international background check (additional cost and information). For that, they reach out by email which often gets missed and/or goes to Spam.
If it has been over five business days with no update or outreach, you can also call them at 855-940-3232 (Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm PDT) noting that you are a US Soccer referee candidate that initiated a background check. If this is your first outreach and you are unaware, you should mention you don’t have a case number.
Be prepared to provide your:
- full name,
- date of birth and
- the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN), if relevant.
You can also find other FAQs on background checks below.
https://ussf.my.site.com/lcsupport/s/global-search/background%20check
Sadly, not.
The US Soccer Learning Center only accepts their own JDP issued background checks. Other background checks are not accepted including state-specific background checks that might already be used for Coaching purposes.
You can register and complete the pre-course work (6-8 hours of work) and can reach out the morning after the Zoom class (10am or after) via email to ask for the recording of the Zoom class.
If you are choosing to do this option, please notify the class instructor BEFORE the Zoom class of your non-attendance on the call at questions+newref@enysreferee.org so we are aware.
Note that we do not take attendance at the Zoom call. Your absorption and understanding of the material will prevent you from succeeding as a referee and knowing what to do next so it is always in your best interests to approach the material, this course and your career beyond with professionalism to ensure you succeed.
Field Session FAQs
Yes, you can attend any listed Field Session on the Google form and do not need to attend the one in your District/local area. You may NOT attend a field session from out-of-state to fulfill the requirements.
Note that you must have completed ALL online requirements (from Step 3) before attending a field session.
Yes, you may register and participate in a field session before your scheduled Zoom call BUT you must complete all online requirements.
The best way to know you’re eligible is if you receive our weekly reminder email from our ENY Referee Announcements email (do_not_reply@enysreferee.org) that will officially invite/remind you to sign up.
Reach out to questions+newref@enysreferee.org notifying them of difficulty attending a session.
Note that you should make all efforts to attend an available session in a reasonable travel distance to expedite your process of becoming a referee. Most areas host one field session a month and in lower demand areas, once every two months so wait times can be long.
Bring:
- Athletic attire; Dress appropriate to the weather (rain, sun, cold)
- Cleats or surface-appropriate running shoes;
- Whistle and flag [if you have one]. If not, we will provide;
- Water / snack;
- Parent or guardian for the first 10-15 minutes are strongly recommended to attend (if you are under 18)
You do NOT need to have received your uniform package to attend.
Presumably you’ve filled out the Google form. If so, you should receive an email at the email you entered containing the responses you just completed (example below). This is the sign-up confirmation.
- Please note down the field session address, date and time period from the form.
- You will receive an email from the lead instructor 1 day before the session (usually the evening before) touching base with you to confirm the field session.
Confirmation Email example: https://www.loom.com/i/d2b0005aee134fa8a67789f17f5ad15f
Presumably you’ve filled out the appropriate Google form. If so, you should receive an email at the email you entered containing the responses you just completed.
See this video on how to update your registration.
No. Your uniform package is not necessary to attend a field session.
If you have received it already, you can bring your whistle and flag but if you don’t have it yet, the necessary equipment will be available to be used for the field session.
Uniform FAQs
The code to order your uniforms will be sent the day of your Learning Center Zoom class.
You should expect to receive the code and instructions from do_not_reply@enysreferee.org (please check your Spam/Junk folder as well specifically). This will be sent to the email address associated with your Learning Center profile and if relevant, to the guardian on file as well. If you don’t see an email in that timeframe, reach out to uniforms@enysreferee.org with the following information in the email:
- Candidate Full Name
- Zoom class your course is part of (if you were transferred, mention the most recent dated one)
Use the email subject “Uniform Code request for <Name>”
Generally for what you need as a referee, check out our Uniforms and Equipment page.
If you sign up for an Eastern New York-hosted New Referee course through the Learning Center, the course cost includes a uniform starter pack.
As you spend more time in refereeing, moving to higher age groups and potentially getting into the adult game, you will need more uniform colour options (variety of team jerseys’ will cause conflicts with the base yellow and green) as well as sleeve-lengths (for NY’s different seasons).
ENYSRA’s official equipment partner is Score Sports. You can browse our store on their website to expand your equipment arsenal: https://scoresports.com/estore/enyref/
Please ensure you specifically:
- create an account on the Score Sports website first
- make sure there are no spaces in between, before or after the code
If you are still stuck after trying the above, reach out to uniforms@enysreferee.org AND Web Support <websupport@scoresports.com> including a full/clear screenshot of the exact issue you’re seeing.
Use the subject: “ENYSRA Uniform Starter Package Code Issue: <Referee Name>”
(insert the referee full name between the angle brackets)
If you’ve received your uniform code email and placed the order and are having issues with no order confirmation or having issues tracking the order ETA, you can reach out to BOTH:
- Web Support <websupport@scoresports.com> AND uniforms@enysreferee.org (in one email)
Be sure to include the Referee Candidate’s full name and specifics with the order process (date of order, email address linked to the order, Discount code, screenshots of any errors/issues).
Use the subject: “ENYSRA Uniform Starter Package Issue: <Referee Name>”
(insert the referee full name between the angle brackets)
