How to Be a Ref

To become a football referee is pretty simple. First, you need to find a local football officials association. For example, the San Gabriel Valley Football Officials Association (www.sgvfoa.com) services part of Los Angeles County, CA.

Once you join the association, they will train you on the rules and mechanics. Depending on your association, you may start working high school football games your first season!

It takes a lot more training to become a professional "referee". For American football, football officials generally start with officiating high school and youth football, such as Pop Warner or Junior All-American. After two or three years, officials may begin to work varsity games.

After four or five years of working varsity football, an official may begin working junior college football. Two or three years of JC football will move an official to D-III, D-II, or D-IAA. A couple years at those levels, and an official could start working at the Division I level.

After three or four years at the D-I level, depending on attrition at the NFL level, an official may be considered to work in the NFL. To be an actual referee (as opposed to umpire, linesman, line judge, back judge, side judge, or field judge), it takes a few more years in the NFL.

So, in short, it takes about 15 years of officiating to make it to the NFL. Of course, some officials will make it much quicker, and most officials will never make it to the NFL. The most important thing is to enjoy what you are doing and be the best that you can at the level you are doing.