Click here for the official application form and detailed instructions to join SCOA or e-mail SCOA (referee@scoanj.org) indicating your interest.

Developing soccer referees is a key focus of the SCOA organization. Soccer is played extensively and the demand for both male and female referees is great.  SCOA has an excellent record for mentoring officials and providing high caliber referees for all levels of competition.  Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss the experience and answer any questions you may have.

Click on Become a High School Soccer Official to view the flyer with summary information and application.

Information for New Officials

The School and College Officials Association (SCOA) is a chapter of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).  NJSIAA administers a variety of sports for its member schools.  SCOA focuses exclusively on high school soccer.

Click here for the official application form and detailed instructions to join SCOA.  (Questions may be emailed to referee@scoanj.org.)

The general steps to become a SCOA high school soccer referee are as follows:

1. Register with SCOA. (Complete and send in the application.)
2. Attend the online (Zoom) SCOA referee course.  The course typically encompasses 14 hours of instruction with classes held once a week in 2 hour sessions.
3. Pass the SCOA exam conducted at the end of the soccer referee course.  (This prepares you to pass the national NJSIAA Referee Exam.)
4. Register at NJSIAA as a high school soccer official affiliated to SCOA.
5. NJSIAA registration includes consent to the NJSIAA required Background Check.
6. Register at the NFHS Learning Center and take the required online NFHS Concussion in Sports Course and provide the completion certificate to SCOA.
7. Register on the ZebraWeb Assigning System in order to take and pass the online national NFHS Referee Exam.

Upon completion of the enumerated steps, new officials attain Cadet status and are eligible to officiate Junior Varsity and Freshmen level games. Games are assigned to all officials via the ZebraWeb Assigning system.

The last step is to purchase the required referee uniform, available from different vendors. (Detailed information may be found in the Resources section.)

Fees Summary for New Officials

SCOA Cadet registration	125	Includes SCOA membership, referee course, rule book and SCOA chapter exam
NJSIAA Registration	55	Cadets are NJSIAA Active Officials
NJSIAA Background check	10	Required
NFHS Concussion course		No charge, but must provide completion Certificate
Total	$190	Fees are charged independently, at registration, by the respective organization

 

Uniform and Equipment Typical Cost for New Officials

NJSIAA Referee Jersey	50 / 60	Lime green is the only color; comes in short and long sleeve.
Black Referee Shorts	25	From plain black to USSF referee shorts are allowed
Black Referee Socks	9 -12	3 stripes below the knee (USSF style 2 stripes above ankle also allowed)
Whistle	6 +	Many choices from established manufacturers
Referee Wallet	4 +	Includes game recording paper, pencil, yellow & red cards
Linesman Referee Flag set	10 +	Similar to other referee items, choices range from inexpensive to very costly
Typical Cost Estimate	$104 +	Uniforms and discounted referee starter kits are available from vendors.

 

Maintaining Officiating Eligibility

After completing their first year, officials are not required to take the soccer referee course again, but all other required credentials expire on June 30th of each year and must be renewed each year.  The requirements are the same for all officials.  Hence, every year all officials are required to renew their registrations / memberships with SCOA and NJSIAA, consent and pass the NJSIAA background check, take and pass the online NFHS Concussion in Sports course and take and pass the online national NFHS referee exam. 

Fees Summary for Officials After their First Year

	Cadet	Active
SCOA annual registration	95	95	(Does not apply to 1st year Cadets.)
NJSIAA annual registration	55	55
NJSIAA Background check	10	10
NFHS Concussion course			No charge, but must provide completion Certificate
Total	$160	$160	Fees are charged independently, at registration, by the respective organization

 

Promotion form Cadet to Active status

Based on experience (number of games officiated) and performance, new officials are evaluated at the end of the season and considered for promotion from Cadet to Active status. Active officials are eligible to work Varsity level games, as well as post-season NJ state competitions.  (Referee pay is commensurate with the officiating level and competition.)

Officials may belong to SCOA, as well as other soccer chapters.  This may be the case if an official first becomes a member of SCOA and later on wishes to join other soccer referee chapters, or vice versa. Should this be the case, once the official has contacted the chapter(s) they wish to join, their affiliation must be registered with NJSIAA.  (NJSIAA will apply the appropriate chapter fees during the registration process.)