Additional Note: For questions in regards to the U.S. Soccer NCSI background check requirements and process, you can click here for the FAQ page.
With the effect of COVID-19 on soccer this year, the South Texas Referee Committee has elected to opt-in to the offer made by U.S. Soccer to automatically extend 2021 licenses to all referees licensed for 2020 at NO CO$T. Licenses will be renewed for 2021 at the 2020 level.
This means that Grassroots Referees, Assessors, Assignors and Instructors will be renewed as Grassroots Referees, Assessors, Assignors, and Instructors. Regional Referees will be renewed as Regional Referees with the fitness test and evaluation requirements waived. Regional Referee Assessors will be renewed as Regional Referee Assessors with the assessment/evaluation requirements waived. Regional Emeritus Referees and Regional Referee Instructors will be renewed as Regional Emeritus and Regional Referee Instructors.
The 2021 grassroots referee re-certification licensing course is now online in both English and Spanish. Click here to see these courses.
Five items of note:
1) 2021 Licensing Courses - do not register for any paid courses for 2021 at the same level as your 2020 license.
2) NCSI Background Check - if you turn 18 over the period that covers your 2020 and 2021 registration, you will need to pay for and obtain a background screen – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is approved.
3) SafeSport training - if your SafeSport training expires during the period that covers your 2020 and 2021 registration, you will need to complete the SafeSport Refresher Course – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is successfully completed. After logging in, go to COURSES > AVAILABLE COURSES > SUPPLEMENTAL COURSES > SafeSport (in the left-hand column).
4) Re-Certification for referees with 2019 & 2018 badges - If you have held a grade 9, 8 or 7 license for a minimum of one (1) year within the last 3 registration years and want to re-certify, the process is performed through the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. For information on this process, click here to see the news article.
5) 2020/2021 Laws of the Game Changes – the U.S. Soccer Learning Center has a FREE module for these changes. We STRONGLY encourage you to take this short supplemental course prior to your taking assignments when they may occur again. After logging in, go to COURSES > AVAILABLE COURSES > SUPPLEMENTAL COURSES > Laws of the Game Update (in the left-hand column). When the list appears, click on “Clear” on the right side so nothing is populated in the filters and an English and Spanish version will both appear – click on “COURSE DETAILS” to continue.
Only individuals registered for 2020 will have their licenses automatically extend for 2021 at no cost. individuals who did not re-certify for 2020 may re-certify for 2021, but will need to pay the registration fees to do so (18+ years of age will need to pay for a background screen) and successfully complete the respective 2021 licensing course. Once the 2021 license is approved/obtained, you may perform the activities of the license immediately.
Licensing courses sponsored by South Texas for 2021 will commence to populate on the U.S. Soccer Learning Center in late July/Early August.
Grassroots Referees wishing to upgrade for the 2021 badge year will be required to pay the registration fee and complete the 2021 U.S. Soccer Regional Referee Upgrade Requirements by December 31, 2020.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the State Administrator at: sra@stxref.org
Licensing for 2025 licensing courses will stay within the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. To renew your certification for 2025, you will need to register and successfully complete your respective 2025 licensing courses utilizing the U.S. Soccer Learning Center.
As 2025 licensing courses open for registration during this badge year, information/course links will be posted below in this article and an email will be sent from the State Administrator providing the same information.
Referees - though your registration for 2024 is in effect until December 31, 2024, we strongly encourage you to review the changes to the laws of the game for 2025 that went into effect on July 1, 2024. You can find that information in another news post by clicking here.
Items of note:
1) Background Check - if you turn 18 over the period that is still covered by your 2024 registration, you will need to pay for and obtain a background screen – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is approved. After logging in, go to Profile or Dashboard (scroll over your name in upper right corner) and see any notifications. If you need a background Check, there will be a link for the process.
2) SafeSport training - if you turn 18 over the period that is still covered by your 2024 registration, you will need to complete the SafeSport training – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is successfully completed. After logging in, go to Profile or Dashboard (scroll over your name in upper right corner) and see any notifications. If you need SafeSport training, there will be a link to the module.
3) SafeSport training refresher- if your SafeSport training expires during the period that is covered by your 2024 registration, you will need to complete the SafeSport Refresher Course – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is successfully completed. After logging in, go to Profile or Dashboard (scroll over your name in upper right corner) and see any notifications. If you need SafeSport training, there will be a link to the module.
For more information on background check and SafeSport training, click here.
For questions in regards to the U.S. Soccer NCSI background check requirements and process, you can click here for the FAQ page.
COURSES NOW AVAILABLE IN THE U.S. SOCCER LEARNING CENTER
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the State Administrator
Unlike other elements of your certification, your SafeSport certification must be renewed each year on the anniversary date of your original course completion and your background check must be renewed every two years on the anniversary date of its approval so if your SafeSport training or background check expires during the period that covers your current registration, you will need to complete the SafeSport Refresher Course and/or renew your background check.
U.S. Soccer will send you notices of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is successfully completed. When receiving this notification prior to the anniversary date, you can locate this course, follow these steps. After logging in to the U.S. Soccer Learning Center, go to COURSES > AVAILABLE COURSES > SUPPLEMENTALCOURSES > SafeSport (in the left-hand column) which will link you to the correct training course.
The U.S. Soccer Learning Center has also created an updated that once you log in, if you see this pink bar with information, click on the red "VISIT PROFILE" button and it will show you needed requirements prior to your respective anniversary date.
If you do not complete the training and/pr have your background check approved prior to your anniversary date, you will need to log into your profile in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. Once logged in to your account, scroll over your name on the upper left and the following dropdown will appear. You will need to click on "PROFILE".
On your profile page, you will see this image along side your profile information. By clicking on the “TAKE SAFESPORT” link and/or the "TAKE BACKGROUND CHECK" link, you will be linked to the correct training course or the NCSI background check site.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE TRAINING OR OBTAIN THE BACKGROUND CHECK IN THE REQUIRED TIMELINE WILL TEMPORARILY SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE AND ALL ASSIGNORS WILL BE NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS.
For questions in regards to the U.S. Soccer background check requirements and process, you can click here for the FAQ page.
A number of changes to the Laws of the Game for 2023/2024 were approved; the exact wording is in the document available for download below.
Laws of the Game 2024/25 effective as from 1 July
It was agreed that, to give players, coaches and match officials more time to become familiar with the changes to the Laws of the Game, the date on which they become effective will move from 1 June to 1 July. Competitions that start before that date may implement the changes earlier or delay their implementation until no later than the start of the next competition.
Download the Laws of the Game 2024/2025 in English & other languages from IFAB here.
Download the Laws of the Game 2024/2025 Changes and clarifications in English from IFAB here.
View the Laws of the Game 2024/2025 Changes and clarifications presentation in English here.
