How to Become a Referee in Missouri Sports

Become a Missouri referee.

Sports in Missouri's public schools are under the direction of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). If you want to referee Missouri sports, you can go through the MSHSAA training program. That way, you can referee MSHSAA-sanctioned sporting events as well as private games. It's possible to referee different sports, but most people who referee Missouri sports specialize in a sport such as football, basketball or soccer. Even special organizations such as the St. Louis Officials Organization recommend that their referees undergo MSHSAA training.

Instructions

1. Pay the registration fee for your official's license. For the first sport, the fee was $55 as of July 2010. The second sport costs $30, and each additional sport after that is $25. The Missouri referee license is good for one year and expires June 30. Once MSHSAA processes your check, the organization sends you a registration packet.

2. Study the information in the registration packet. Take an open-book exam at home, and score at least 75 percent on it. Send the completed test back to MSHSAA, and you will receive your license if you pass. If you fail the test the first time, you have two more opportunities to retake the exam. If you fail to pass it the third time, you must wait until the next year to try again. If you are testing in more than one sport, failure in one doesn't keep you from passing another test and becoming Missouri referee.

3. Purchase the official MSHSAA referee's uniform. You must wear it to referee Missouri sports events between MSHSAA schools.

4. Attend the annual rules interpretation meeting for your sport. This is a mandatory meeting. You must also attend a mechanics clinic for your sport, if it's available, within the first three years of getting your MSHSAA license.

5. Join a local sporting official association to help you get games to officiate. Contact the activity director of local schools to help you find games. Officiate junior high and junior varsity games to gain experience. Scrimmages are another place to get experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Exercise regularly to stay in shape. You need to be physically fit in order to keep up with the game participants.

References

• St. Louis Officials Association: How to Become A Football, Volleyball or Basketball Official in Missouri
• Missouri State High School Activities Association: Learn More