Referees build personal skills like confidence, assertiveness, and the ability to interact with others. They develop job skills and physical fitness. Referees also have a lot of fun building teamwork with other referees all while getting paid to participate in a game you enjoy. Refereeing is frequently cited as one of the highest paid jobs any teen or young adult can get, but it takes study, lots of running, and commitment. Ready for the journey? Here is how...

1. AGE: 13 or higher

2. E-MAIL: you must use a unique email for you (not a parent's shared email)

3. COMPUTER ACCESS: Use a computer (not a tablet or phone)

4. COST: $100 (including fees and US Soccer surcharges) which you will earn back in 3 games, likely on your first day. If you are over 18 years of age, you'll have a background check fee of $23 every 2 years ($150 if you have lived internationally).

5. SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available from...

   • • Idaho Adult Soccer...50% off the class for referees that will primarily work adult games in Idaho. You will receive the other 50% after working a minimum number of games.

     • Idaho Youth Soccer...50% off for referees that will primarily work IYSA sanctioned youth games in Idaho. (Note this does not include US Club Soccer as they have not yet entered into an agreement with us.)

     • How to get a scholarship...BEFORE YOU REGISTER for the class, follow these instructions.

       • • Scholarships are only available as long as they last and by the scholarship deadline listed by each course below. Request your scholarship before the deadline. 

         • Go to the US Soccer Learning Center here and click "Sign-Up" in the upper right corner.

         • When you have finished signing-up, locate the District Referee Administrator in your area. (Note: only the district referee administrator can help you, so do not email the group.) Email the district referee administrator and copy your parent if you are under 18. In your email, tell the the date and location of the class you plan to attend, give them your full legal name that you used when you signed up, and ask for a scholarship.

         • The district referee administrator will send you an invitation to the course which includes the discounted rate. 

         • If you do not get the code prior to registering, it cannot be credited later.

ONLINE WORK BEFORE CLASS

• How long? You have about 4-5 hours of online work to do, then an in-person class. Plan plenty of time to do this using a computer, not a phone or tablet. 

• When? You must finish it at least 72 hours before your in-person class. If you don't, you'll fail the course and have to start over.  No refunds. That means you should be starting your online work at least 1 week before your in person class.

IN-PERSON CLASS

• How long? All courses meet from 9:00am to 2:30pm with the following schedule...

  • •  in a classroom and then 11:30am-2:30pm on a soccer field. All times are local time. This includes 30 minute of travel between the classroom and the field. If you cannot drive, have a ride ready for you by 11:00am to move to the new location. Lunch occurs at the field

• Wear: Clothing and shoes appropriate to run on a field in any weather.

• Bring: a whistle, water bottle, and a sack lunch that does not require refrigeration. If you have cards and flags now, bring them. If you do not have cards and flags yet, that's OK.

• When? Pick one of these dates to register and begin online work. This is a list of 100% of the courses to be held between August 2025 and April 2026. Please choose the course that words best for you and do not plan for additional courses to be added.

  • Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint & Moscow Area

    • • August 2, 2025, Moscow

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...July 26

          • Registration closes...July 30

          • Online work must be done...July 31

          • Cancelled due to no registration

      • August 17, 2025, Sandpoint

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...August 10

          • Registration closes...August 13 

          • Online work must be done...August 14

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Derek Kohles (lead), Riley Jones (SYRA), and Leah Johnson (asst.)

          • Register here

      • September 27, 2025, Coeur d'Alene

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...September 20

          • Registration closes...September 24

          • Online work must be done...September 23

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Derek Kohles (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

      • March 1, 2026, Sandpoint

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...February 22

          • Registration closes...February 25

          • Online work must be done...February 26

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Leah Johnson (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

  • Treasure & Magic Valley Area

    • • August 23, 2025, Meridian

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...August 16

          • Registration closes...August 19

          • Online work must be done...August 20

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Matthew Gamette (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

      • August 30, 2025, Meridian

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...August 23

          • Registration closes...August 26 

          • Online work must be done...August 27

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Matthew Gamette (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

      • February 21, 2026 Meridian

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...February 16

          • Registration closes...February 17

          • Online work must be done...February 18

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: "to be assigned" (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

      • February 28, 2026 Meridian

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...February 21

          • Registration closes...February 24

          • Online work must be done...February 25

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: "to be assigned" (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

  • Idaho Falls & Pocatello Area

    • • August 16, 2025, Idaho Falls

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...August 5

          • Registration closes...August 12

          • Online work must be done...August 13

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Rick Spielman (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

      • March 21, 2026, Idaho Falls

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...March 14

          • Registration closes...March 17

          • Online work must be done...March 18

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Rick Spielman (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here

      • April 4, 2026, Pocatello

        • • Last day to request a scholarship...March 28

          • Registration closes...March 31

          • Online work must be done...April 1

          • Referee Coaches Assigned: Brooke Taylor (lead) and "to be assigned" (asst.)

          • Register here