Start Refereeing

There has never been a better time to start refereeing:

It is simple to register ("certify")
There is no risk - the cost of your uniforms and first-year registrations will be fully reimbursed thanks to a generous grant from New Mexico Youth Soccer (NMYSA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF)
You will be supported on the fields by referee mentors and referee coaches, and through regular training
Financial compensation is generous and paid promptly. Click here for the 2024 game fees paid to referees in Las Cruces.
For young men and women who love soccer, it is a great way to learn life skills such as communication and handling stressful situations. Refereeing experiences are a great topic for college application essays. The minimum age to certify as a referee is 13.

You may also want to consider officiating high school soccer. To learn more about the separate registration process, click here.

Follow these four easy steps to certify as a USSF official:

The process will go quicky and smoothly with a helping hand from either:

Dreaux Plair (LC-based assignor and State Youth Referee Administrator) swnmrefassignor@outlook .com or (575) 523-0261.
Nigel Holman (LCSRA President) lcsrapresident@comcast.net or (520) 788-7298

Create (sign up for) a profile at learning.ussoccer.com/ referee.
If you are under 18, you must provide a parent email address when you set up your profile. The parent must respond to an email sent to verify the address.
If you are 18 or older, you must register online for a Background Check Screening (valid for 2 years) and take the online SafeSport Training.

Register for the First Time Grassroots Referee Certification course on the U.S. Soccer Learning Center.
Follow instructions and complete all required assignments.
The online course will take several hours but can be completed over several sessions.

Dreaux Plair will present you with your coveted USSF Referee Badge and help you sign-up for the online assigning platform (ArbiterSports) through which you will receive your assignments and pay.
Use this form to request reimbursement for your course fees and to order your free uniform from NMYSA.
Look out for invitations to referee training and mentoring sessions.