Frequently asked questions

Q0. How do I find out what's involved to become a soccer referee?

A0. To begin, click here.




Q1. I recently received a card from the U. S. Soccer Federation. The card said that it was time to renew my referee registration. By when do I need to do this?

A1. US Soccer Referees are registered annually from January 1 through December 31. If you are registered for 2010, your registration is good until Dec 31, 2010.

In Tennessee, referees are expected to register for next year (2011) by the end of this year (Dec 31, 2010).

Referees who do not recertify by Dec 31 may do so until March 31, but they will be subjected to a $15 late fee. Referees who do not recertify by March 31 will be handled on a case-by-case basis.




Q2. How do I renew my referee registration for 2011?

A2. Most grade-8 and grade-9 referees renew their referee registration by attending a recertification class and by obtaining a passing score (75%) on the refresher exam, which is given at the class. Therefore, to register for 2011, most grade-8 and grade-9 referees should first sign up for one of the recertification classes. However, there are exceptions to this rule:

  1. If you are a grade-9 referee and you wish to upgrade to grade 8, you should sign up for a Bridge course.
  2. If you are a grade-8 referee and you wish to upgrade to grade 7, you should sign up for an Intermediate Clinic.


If you are need help figuring out which class to take, please contact Peggy Gruzalski.




Q3. How do I sign up for a recertification class?

A3. To sign up for a class, please follow these steps:
   (You may want to print these out before you begin.)

  1. Click Approved Classes (top menu) to find a list of all available class types.
  2. Choose one of the class types. If you are recertifying, do not choose anything with the words 'entry level'.
  3. Select the class you wish to attend by clicking on the date of the class. (If there are no classes in your area, follow the instructions listed below.)
  4. Click Login Here at the bottom of the page.
  5. Log in. (If you don't know your username and password, please see the instructions listed below.)
  6. Information about the class you chose in step #3 will now appear on your screen. If you wish to register for this class, select Click Here to Register for this Class
  7. Provide the requested information and click SAVE (Add Registration) at the bottom of the page.
  8. On the next page, choose Click Here to Complete the Employment/Volunteer Disclosure Statement.
  9. Provide the requested information and select SAVE (Complete Disclosure) at the bottom of the page.
  10. Select a payment method and provide the requested information.
  11. Confirm your method of payment by clicking Confirm Payment Method.


You should receive an email summarizing your class registration. Print the email and bring it with you to class.

If you do not receive an email, go to GameOfficials (top menu) and login (if necessary). If you are registered for the class, the class will be listed on your homepage. If this is the case, your email address probably was entered into GameOfficials incorrectly. Please select "My Info" (left menu bar) and correct your email address and other information as needed. You are now finished with the class registration.

If you do not receive an email and you are not registered for the class, try registering again. If you need assistance, please contact Peggy Gruzalski.



Q4. What do I do if there are no recertification classes listed in my area?

A4.  If there are no classes listed in your area, feel free to call an instructor in your area and ask him/her when the next class will be offered. You may obtain a list of instructors as follows:

  1. Go to SOTN.GameOfficials and login.
  2. Click on Reports (left menu bar)
  3. Choose the link Certified Instructors.
  4. Limit your search if desired.
  5. Click Get Report (upper right of webpage).



Q5. What do I do if I don't know my SOTN.GameOfficials username and password?

A5.  If you do not know your username and password, please send an email to Peggy Gruzalski and ask her to send them to you. Please include your name and date of birth in the email.



Q6. I am a referee assignor, instructor, or assessor. How do I register?

A6. To register, you need to sign up for a bogus class because the GameOfficials software we are using handles all registrations via classes. To do this, please follow these steps:

  1. Click on Approved Classes (top menu) and select the appropriate class type:
      z_assignors (special cases), if you are recertifying as an assignor,
      z_instructors (special cases), if you are recertifying as an instructor, or
      z_assessors (special cases), if you are recertifying as an assessor.
    Some instructors and assessors who need to certify as a referee may choose the class type z_referees (special cases). You will first need to get an override code from Greg Gruzalski.
  2. Click the date associated with the "class."
  3. Click Login Here (at the bottom of the page).
  4. If necessary, login to SOTN.GameOfficials. You will need your username and password.
  5. You may need to select the appropriate identity (menu on the left):
    1. Choose the assignor identity, if you are recertifying as an assignor,
    2. Choose the instructor identity, if you are recertifying as an instructor,
    3. Choose the assessor identity, if you are recertifying as an assessor, or
    4. Choose the referee identity, if you are recertifying as a referee.
  6. Register for the 'class' by following the online instructions.
  7. You will be asked to pay for the class. What you are really paying for is your assignor, instructor, or assessor registration fee. It would be easiest if you would pay the fee by using a credit card.
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Q7. I am a Referee Emeritus. How do I register?

A7. To register, you need to sign up for a bogus class because the GameOfficials software we are using handles all registrations via classes. To do this, please follow these steps:

  1. Click on Approved Classes (top menu) and select the class type z_referees (special cases).
  2. Click the date associated with the "class."
  3. Click Login Here (at the bottom of the page).
  4. If necessary, login to SOTN.GameOfficials. You will need your username and password.
  5. You may need to select your referee identity (menu on the left).
  6. Register for the 'class' by following the online instructions.
  7. You will be asked to pay for the class. What you are really paying for is your referee registration fee. It would be easiest if you would pay the fee by using a credit card.
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Q8. How do I update my biographical/contact information that's posted on SOTN.GameOfficials.org?

A8. To update this information, please

  1. Click on Game Officials (top menu, right) and login.
  2. From your homepage on SOTN.GameOfficials.net, click My Info.
  3. Update the information as needed and click Save (Modify User) at the bottom of the page.
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Q9. How do I cross certify from AYSO to the USSF?

A9. To cross-certify from AYSO to the USSF, please follow the instructions given here.



Q10. I am registered for a class but I would like to attend another class instead. How do I do that?

A10. To change classes, first cancel your registration for the class you're in and then register for the other class. To do this, follow these instructions:

Once you are removed from the class, sign up for the class you want to attend. If you paid for the first class, the program will not ask you for a second payment.