FLORIDA REGION REFEREE REQUIREMENTS
Note: All adult referees must complete SafeSport training as part of their training requirement. Click here for instructions.
Requirements, Responsibilities and Privileges
Detailed information of USA Volleyball certification levels and a quick start video guide for becoming a USAV Certified Official may be found here. USAV certification levels include:
· Provisional Referee
· Regional Referee
· Jr. National Referee
· National Referee
In addition to the USAV certification levels, the Florida Region certification levels include
· 16, 17 and 18 Year Old Junior Provisional Referee
· Advanced Junior Referee
This certification level is for those junior players who enjoy officiating and wish to enhance their skills and knowledge through additional training and be recognized by being eligible to wear an Advanced Junior certified referee patch while working. Once certified, they may work as a second referee when their team is working and if there is an Advanced Junior Scorer also working the match, the Florida region requirement for an adult to perform one of the work team duties is waived.
Requirements specific to the Florida Region are outlined below. For additional information on specific clinics and events click here.
To become certified or re-certify as an Advanced Junior Second Referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Complete the Junior core clinics and quizzes for junior officiating online. Clinics and quizzes must be completed before working as a referee at a sanctioned tournament.
3. Obtain four match evaluations and complete / turn in the evaluation form.
Responsibilities and entitlements of an Advanced Junior Second Referee:
1. After certification, Advanced Junior Referees shall have the opportunity to work as a second referee during their team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned competitions within the Florida Region.
2. After certification, if the Advanced Junior Referee is working the match as R2, along with an Advanced Junior Scorer, the Florida Region requirement to have and adult perform one of the work team duties for the match is waived. The rostered adult would still need to be courtside. The scorer and R2 must display proof of certification to the first referee for the match in order for the waiver to apply. This would include the card or patch they were given when they were certified. If the proof cannot be displayed courtside before the match begins, the requirement is not waived
To become certified or re-certify as a Provisional Referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Have a current background screening performed by the company contracted by USA Volleyball. No other background screens are accepted. This is a policy of USA Volleyball that cannot be changed or altered by the Florida Region. The background screen is good for one year and the process is initiated during registration by checking the box indicating that you would like to officiate Juniors tournaments.
3. New referees (candidates) and first-year provisionals must attend an in-person New Referee Orientation meeting. In subsequent years, you do not need to attend a meeting but each year you must view the on-line referee recert clinic found in the USAV Academy.
4. Candidates complete the New Referee Clinic, Course ID FL19_201 found in the USAV Academy. Access this clinic after registering, through Webpoint by clicking the red button marked "USAV Academy."NOTE: This must be completed BEFORE attending the in-person New Referee Orientation Clinic. The deadline to complete all online training and testing is January 15! Recertification training deadline is February 1.
5. New referees must pass two rating/observations as a first referee and one as a second referee at a sanctioned tournament or rating event.
6. Recertifying officials must complete the Florida adult recertifying referee clinic. They must also pass 2 ratings/observations during the regular season every other year after initial certification is obtained. Successful candidates will:
7. Juniors who are at least 16 years of age shall have the opportunity to become certified as provisional referees and work as a first referee at select Junior Tournaments of the appropriate format for volleyball competitions within the Florida Region with the approval of the head official. Minors will not be provided lodging with non-related adults at tournaments that provide hotels. 16, 17 and 18 year olds who wish to work as a paid referee at Florida Region sanctioned tournaments will complete course ID FL20_107. All other certification requirements are the same as for an adult provisional referee, see above.
Responsibilities and entitlements of a Provisional Referee:
1. After certification, the Provisional Referee will be entitled to wear the official Provisional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
2. After certification, the Provisional Referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Florida Region from regionally designated assignor(s).
3. A Provisional Referee may elect to become a candidate for Regional Referee upon completion of two seasons as a Provisional Referee, or by recommendation by a USAV National or Junior National referee and approval by the Official's Chair. The Provisional rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Provisional Referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional referee chair.
5. Click here for additional information on USAV Provisional Certification.
To become certified as a Regional referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Have a current background screening performed by the company contracted by USA Volleyball. No other background screens are accepted. This is a policy of USA Volleyball that cannot be changed or altered by the Florida Region. The background screen is good for one year and the process is initiated during registration by checking the box indicating that you would like to officiate Juniors tournaments.
3. Worked as a Provisional Referee for at least 2 seasons. This requirement may be waived as described below.
4. Complete the online recertification clinic in the USAV Academy.
5. Take the USAV rules test online. Deadline to take the test is February 1.
6. Successfully complete and maintain a Provisional or Regional Scorekeeper certification.
7. Request to be considered as a Regional Referee Candidate by contacting the Official's Coordinator.
8. Demonstrate the ability to officiate at the Regional Referee level as a first and second referee at a selected Regional Upgrade Tournament (Typically Tour of Champions events listed on Floridavolleyball.org). The successful Regional candidate will:
1. Nomination by a USA National Referee or Junior National Referee, AND
2. Approval by the Referee Chair.
To re-certify as a Regional referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Have a current background screening. screening performed by the company contracted by USA Volleyball. No other background screens are accepted. This is a policy of USA Volleyball that cannot be changed or altered by the Florida Region. The background screen is good for one year and the process is initiated during registration by checking the box indicating that you would like to officiate Juniors tournaments.
3. Watch the online recertification clinic found in the USAV Academy each year. For 2020 this is Course ID FL20_203. Access this clinic after registering, through Webpoint by clicking the red button marked "USAV Academy."
4. Attain a minimum score (closed book) of 80 percent on the approved USA Volleyball Form "A" test for referees. Deadline to take the test is February 15.
5. Successfully complete and maintain a Provisional or Regional Scorekeeper certification.
Responsibilities and entitlements of a Regional referee:
1. After certification, the Regional Referee will be entitled to wear the official Regional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
2. After certification, the Regional Referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Florida Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
3. The Regional rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Regional Referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional Referee Chair.
To transfer a Regional referee rating from another USA Volleyball Region you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Provide written confirmation of your current referee and scorekeeper certifications.
Requesting Upgrades: National Level
Regional Qualifications for Junior National and National Candidates
First and foremost, you must demonstrate your skills proficiency as a first and second referee in the USAV guidelines for first and second referees. You must also satisfy the following minimum requirements.
· Request consideration for certification upgrade from Official's Coordinator.
· Have professional and moral character.
· For Jr. National Candidates, be certified as a USAV Regional referee for the last two completed seasons, or be recommended by a National referee AND approved by the Officials Chair.
· For National Candidates, it is highly recommended that the individual completes at least two consecutive seasons as a Jr. National referee before applying to be a National Candidate. The National Candidate MUST be recommended by NO LESS than three (3) people from the “List of Qualified Individuals for Recommending National Referee Candidates” AND approved by the Officials Chair and Commissioner of the Florida Region.
· Officiate as a referee in four regular season USAV-affiliated tournaments in the last completed season.
· Officiate in one Regional championship in the last completed season.
For more information on the requirements for National and Jr. National candidates and referees, click here.
Detailed information of USA Volleyball certification levels and a quick start video guide for becoming a USAV Certified Official may be found here. USAV certification levels include:
· Provisional Referee
· Regional Referee
· Jr. National Referee
· National Referee
In addition to the USAV certification levels, the Florida Region certification levels include
· 16, 17 and 18 Year Old Junior Provisional Referee
· Advanced Junior Referee
This certification level is for those junior players who enjoy officiating and wish to enhance their skills and knowledge through additional training and be recognized by being eligible to wear an Advanced Junior certified referee patch while working. Once certified, they may work as a second referee when their team is working and if there is an Advanced Junior Scorer also working the match, the Florida region requirement for an adult to perform one of the work team duties is waived.
Requirements specific to the Florida Region are outlined below. For additional information on specific clinics and events click here.
To become certified or re-certify as an Advanced Junior Second Referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Complete the Junior core clinics and quizzes for junior officiating online. Clinics and quizzes must be completed before working as a referee at a sanctioned tournament.
3. Obtain four match evaluations and complete / turn in the evaluation form.
Responsibilities and entitlements of an Advanced Junior Second Referee:
1. After certification, Advanced Junior Referees shall have the opportunity to work as a second referee during their team’s officiating work assignments for sanctioned competitions within the Florida Region.
2. After certification, if the Advanced Junior Referee is working the match as R2, along with an Advanced Junior Scorer, the Florida Region requirement to have and adult perform one of the work team duties for the match is waived. The rostered adult would still need to be courtside. The scorer and R2 must display proof of certification to the first referee for the match in order for the waiver to apply. This would include the card or patch they were given when they were certified. If the proof cannot be displayed courtside before the match begins, the requirement is not waived
To become certified or re-certify as a Provisional Referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Have a current background screening performed by the company contracted by USA Volleyball. No other background screens are accepted. This is a policy of USA Volleyball that cannot be changed or altered by the Florida Region. The background screen is good for one year and the process is initiated during registration by checking the box indicating that you would like to officiate Juniors tournaments.
3. New referees (candidates) and first-year provisionals must attend an in-person New Referee Orientation meeting. In subsequent years, you do not need to attend a meeting but each year you must view the on-line referee recert clinic found in the USAV Academy.
4. Candidates complete the New Referee Clinic, Course ID FL19_201 found in the USAV Academy. Access this clinic after registering, through Webpoint by clicking the red button marked "USAV Academy."NOTE: This must be completed BEFORE attending the in-person New Referee Orientation Clinic. The deadline to complete all online training and testing is January 15! Recertification training deadline is February 1.
5. New referees must pass two rating/observations as a first referee and one as a second referee at a sanctioned tournament or rating event.
6. Recertifying officials must complete the Florida adult recertifying referee clinic. They must also pass 2 ratings/observations during the regular season every other year after initial certification is obtained. Successful candidates will:
- Have a general knowledge of the rules, mechanics & techniques used by USA Volleyball referees.
- Understand the basics of transitioning and positioning as an R2.
- Have a basic knowledge of the use of the USAV scoresheet.
7. Juniors who are at least 16 years of age shall have the opportunity to become certified as provisional referees and work as a first referee at select Junior Tournaments of the appropriate format for volleyball competitions within the Florida Region with the approval of the head official. Minors will not be provided lodging with non-related adults at tournaments that provide hotels. 16, 17 and 18 year olds who wish to work as a paid referee at Florida Region sanctioned tournaments will complete course ID FL20_107. All other certification requirements are the same as for an adult provisional referee, see above.
Responsibilities and entitlements of a Provisional Referee:
1. After certification, the Provisional Referee will be entitled to wear the official Provisional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
2. After certification, the Provisional Referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Florida Region from regionally designated assignor(s).
3. A Provisional Referee may elect to become a candidate for Regional Referee upon completion of two seasons as a Provisional Referee, or by recommendation by a USAV National or Junior National referee and approval by the Official's Chair. The Provisional rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Provisional Referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional referee chair.
5. Click here for additional information on USAV Provisional Certification.
To become certified as a Regional referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Have a current background screening performed by the company contracted by USA Volleyball. No other background screens are accepted. This is a policy of USA Volleyball that cannot be changed or altered by the Florida Region. The background screen is good for one year and the process is initiated during registration by checking the box indicating that you would like to officiate Juniors tournaments.
3. Worked as a Provisional Referee for at least 2 seasons. This requirement may be waived as described below.
4. Complete the online recertification clinic in the USAV Academy.
5. Take the USAV rules test online. Deadline to take the test is February 1.
6. Successfully complete and maintain a Provisional or Regional Scorekeeper certification.
7. Request to be considered as a Regional Referee Candidate by contacting the Official's Coordinator.
8. Demonstrate the ability to officiate at the Regional Referee level as a first and second referee at a selected Regional Upgrade Tournament (Typically Tour of Champions events listed on Floridavolleyball.org). The successful Regional candidate will:
- Have a good knowledge of the rules, mechanics & techniques.
- Have a basic knowledge of the use of the USAV scoresheet.
- Knows how to transition as an R2
- Show awareness of rotational faults.
- Show back row awareness.
1. Nomination by a USA National Referee or Junior National Referee, AND
2. Approval by the Referee Chair.
To re-certify as a Regional referee you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Have a current background screening. screening performed by the company contracted by USA Volleyball. No other background screens are accepted. This is a policy of USA Volleyball that cannot be changed or altered by the Florida Region. The background screen is good for one year and the process is initiated during registration by checking the box indicating that you would like to officiate Juniors tournaments.
3. Watch the online recertification clinic found in the USAV Academy each year. For 2020 this is Course ID FL20_203. Access this clinic after registering, through Webpoint by clicking the red button marked "USAV Academy."
4. Attain a minimum score (closed book) of 80 percent on the approved USA Volleyball Form "A" test for referees. Deadline to take the test is February 15.
5. Successfully complete and maintain a Provisional or Regional Scorekeeper certification.
Responsibilities and entitlements of a Regional referee:
1. After certification, the Regional Referee will be entitled to wear the official Regional patch and approved official’s uniform while officiating.
2. After certification, the Regional Referee shall have the opportunity to work assignments for sanctioned and other approved volleyball competitions within the Florida Region from Regionally designated assignor(s).
3. The Regional rating may be retained indefinitely provided all re-certification requirements are met.
4. A Regional Referee is authorized to officiate any USA Volleyball-sanctioned competition, including Junior Volleyball competition within the Region where certified, and in other Regions with the approval of the appropriate Regional Referee Chair.
To transfer a Regional referee rating from another USA Volleyball Region you must do the following:
1. Be a current member in good standing within the Florida Region - USA Volleyball.
2. Provide written confirmation of your current referee and scorekeeper certifications.
Requesting Upgrades: National Level
Regional Qualifications for Junior National and National Candidates
First and foremost, you must demonstrate your skills proficiency as a first and second referee in the USAV guidelines for first and second referees. You must also satisfy the following minimum requirements.
· Request consideration for certification upgrade from Official's Coordinator.
· Have professional and moral character.
· For Jr. National Candidates, be certified as a USAV Regional referee for the last two completed seasons, or be recommended by a National referee AND approved by the Officials Chair.
· For National Candidates, it is highly recommended that the individual completes at least two consecutive seasons as a Jr. National referee before applying to be a National Candidate. The National Candidate MUST be recommended by NO LESS than three (3) people from the “List of Qualified Individuals for Recommending National Referee Candidates” AND approved by the Officials Chair and Commissioner of the Florida Region.
· Officiate as a referee in four regular season USAV-affiliated tournaments in the last completed season.
· Officiate in one Regional championship in the last completed season.
For more information on the requirements for National and Jr. National candidates and referees, click here.
