All volunteers (not just referees) are required to complete the following requirements:

Time One Time Requirement Yearly Requirement
  • Finger printing
  • Referee Training
  • AYSO Safe Haven
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest training
  • CDC Concussion training (but may become yearly soon)
  • AYSO Background Check (via Sterling Volunteers)
    • 18+ volunteers only

Step 1 – Register as a Volunteer with AYSO

Adult Refs Youth Refs
Registration
  • Complete current year registration in inLeague (annual requirement)
  • Select Referee Volunteer Role
  • Parents must add youth as a new user on their inLeague Account – with a unique email address
  • Select Referee volunteer role
Background Check
  • Once the Volunteer Application is submitted it will trigger a background check to Sterling Volunteers to complete
  • Check your email for a message from Sterling Volunteers.
    • Follow these steps to submit your Background Check.
    • You will receive an email from Sterling once your Background Check is complete.  Background checks must be completed annually.
 No background check is required until the volunteer reaches their 18th birthday

Step 2 – Fingerprinting with Capital Live Scan (one-time only)

  • California AB 506 requires all adult volunteers who have direct contact with children to have a one-time fingerprint background check as approved by the California DOJ to exclude individuals with a history of child abuse.
  • Request a code to cover the cost of fingerprinting by emailing volunteer@mdsoccer.org
  • Make an appointment and get fingerprinted at a Live Scan Service Center: www.applicantservices.com/AYSO
  • This only needs to be done once unless there is a 5 year gap in volunteer service.
  • It is not transferable from another organization.

Step 3 – Complete Mandatory Volunteer Training

  • Sign in to your inLeague account and  select the “graduation cap” icon on the menu bar to login to eTrainU for your online training
  • Select Training Library Menu / Safe Haven (View Courses)
    • AYSO Safe Haven (outlines the important elements around protecting our children and volunteers)
    • CDC HEADS UP Concussion training
    • Sudden Cardiac Arrest training
    • Safesport training.  Your Safesport course can be accessed via inLeague – https://inleague.mdsoccer.org/app/eTrainU  (this is optional for U18s)

Step 4 – Complete the applicable age-appropriate official Referee Certification

We provide training options depending on the age group you want to referee, both online and in person (subject to current health guidelines). All class options will be found by logging into inleague / eTrainU / Training Library / Refereeing Courses.  Specific course names are listed below and you can search for in-person and virtual options.

Age Group Certification Required Course Options (eTrainU)
8U 8U Referee 8U Official Course – Online or 8U Official – Full In Person Course 
10U & older (required) Regional Referee Regional Referee – Online + In-Person Companion Course.  (This is online + in person field session)
12U (Suggested) Intermediate Referee Intermediate Referee – In Person Course
14U (Suggested) Advanced Referee Advanced Referee Course – In Person Course
16U+ (Suggested) National Referee National Referee Course – In Person Course

Contact our Ref Admin Team for any questions on what class may be best for you.  Once you have completed your training, we will provide you with the basic referee gear to get started:

  • 8U referees will receive a shirt, whistle and 8U referee badge
  • Regional referees will receive a shirt, shorts, socks, whistle, flags, MDSA coin, referee wallet.
  • Achieving your Intermediate or above certification will earn you another referee shirt with your color preference!

Step 5 – Self-Assign on Game Schedule

  • For Fall, Spring and Select Program games: inLeague (someone from refadmin will approve the self-assignment).  

Want to be a USSF Referee as well?

You will need your USSF certification as well in order to referee USSF matches.   Please visit the CNRA Referee Section  for more details.