How to Become a High School Soccer Referee in Kansas City: Step-by-Step Guide

Becoming a high school soccer referee in Kansas City is a great opportunity to earn money, stay involved in the game, and develop leadership skills. Officiating at the high school level requires certification, training, and game experience to ensure referees are prepared for fast-paced competitive matches.

If you’re ready to start, KC Soccer Officials provides training, certification support, and game assignments to help you begin your refereeing journey.

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Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

Before beginning the certification process, ensure you meet these basic requirements:

• Minimum Age: 18 years old (some leagues may allow younger referees with prior experience).
• Physical Fitness: Ability to keep up with play and make quick decisions.
• Basic Knowledge of Soccer Rules: Not required but helpful for training.

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Step 2: Register with the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA)

To officiate high school soccer games in Kansas City, referees must become certified through KSHSAA, which governs high school sports officiating in Kansas.

How to Register:

1. Visit the KSHSAA website and complete the online registration process.
2. Select Soccer as Your Sport when choosing officiating categories.
3. Pay the Registration Fee, which varies depending on the level of certification.
4. Complete the Required Background Check (for referees 18 and older).

Once registered, you’ll gain access to training materials and officiating resources.

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Step 3: Complete High School Soccer Referee Training

New referees must complete training that includes:

• Online NFHS Rules & Mechanics Course: Covers high school soccer rules and officiating mechanics.
• In-Person Training Clinics: Provides hands-on instruction on positioning, signaling, and game management.
• Game Management & Communication Training: Helps referees develop confidence in handling players, coaches, and match flow.

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Step 4: Pass the Certification Exam

To become fully certified, referees must pass:

✅ Laws of the Game Exam: Tests knowledge of high school soccer rules, penalties, and officiating procedures.
✅ On-Field Assessment: Evaluates positioning, signals, and decision-making.

Once you pass, you’ll be officially certified and eligible to officiate high school soccer games.

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Step 5: Get Your Referee Gear

Before officiating your first match, you’ll need to purchase:

• KSHSAA-approved referee uniform (jersey, shorts, socks)
• Whistle and referee cards (yellow/red)
• Timer or digital watch
• Cleats and comfortable athletic gear

Proper officiating gear ensures professionalism and credibility on the field.

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Step 6: Get Assigned to High School Games in Kansas City

Once certified, KC Soccer Officials helps referees get assigned to high school games.

To start working games:

• Connect with KC Soccer Officials for game assignments.
• Register for local high school leagues and associations.
• Attend ongoing training and networking opportunities.

With numerous high school games, tournaments, and championship events available, referees can start officiating right away.

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Step 7: Gain Experience & Advance to Higher Levels

As you officiate more games, you’ll have opportunities to move up to higher levels of soccer officiating, including:

• Varsity & Playoff Matches
• College Soccer (NAIA, NCAA)
• Semi-professional and professional leagues (MLS Next, USL, NWSL)

The more experience you gain, the more opportunities and higher pay you can earn.

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Why Become a High School Soccer Referee in Kansas City?

✅ Earn competitive pay while officiating soccer games
✅ Flexible scheduling with evening and weekend matches
✅ Stay active and connected to Kansas City’s soccer community
✅ Develop leadership, decision-making, and communication skills

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Ready to Start Officiating?

Becoming a high school soccer referee in Kansas City is a great way to earn money, gain experience, and build valuable officiating skills. If you're ready to take the next step, KC Soccer Officials is here to help with training, certification, and game assignments.

Contact KC Soccer Officials today to begin your journey as a high school soccer referee!