FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Questions And Answers

• What is the US Soccer Learning Center and how do I access it?

The Learning Center is a learning management system and registration database. It has been designed to house all US Soccer educational programs for referees. You sign up for a free account, create a Profile, and then take part in online courses, browse for in-person courses in your area, and track your US Soccer licenses and other certifications. The Learning Center URL is https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee/.

• Why do I need to create a Profile?

All your information that resided in the SalesForce (RefLink) Database, i.e., 16-digit USSF ID Number, licenses held, e-Mail address, phone, etc., has been migrated to the Learning Center. You must create a Profile in order to access your information, update it as necessary, enroll for certain courses, and register annually with US Soccer. (RefLink will only be used as an archive.)

• I don't know what my USSF ID Number is? How do I find it?

Your Learning Center Profile will list your USSF ID Number.

• How do I sign up for a Learning Center account and create a Profile?

Instructions for how to create a Profile can be found at Learning Center Signup.

• I just created a Profile in the Learning Center but my licenses are not listed?

You likely have 2 Profiles – one with a valid e-Mail address but no license information and another one with your licenses listed but no valid e-Mail address. They need to be merged. Send an e-Mail to referee@ussoccer.org and ask them to reconcile your Profiles.

• I became a referee when I turned 12 last Spring before the minimum age was raised to 13. I'm still 12 and the Learning Center won't let me create a Profile until I turn 13. What do I do?

Since you are already a referee, US Soccer will grandfather you into the Learning Center. Send an e-Mail to referee@ussoccer.org explaining your situation and they will create a Profile for you.

• I've successfully created my Profile and all my license information is listed correctly. What do I need to do now?

If you are under 18, nothing. You can signup for courses in the Learning Center and register for 2020. However, if you are age 18 or older, you must undergo a background check by the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI). The US Soccer Legal Department requires this. You will not be able to signup for any course in the Learning Center or register for 2020 without passing this background check. Even if you are a coach and have had a background check recently ), you must still have the NCSI Background Check performed. The NCSI Screening is the only one that will be accepted. The cost is $30 and is good for 2 years. Determinations take between 7-10 days.

• I'm over 18. How do I get an NCSI Background Check?

Instructions for how to initiate an NCSI Screening from your Learning Center Profile can be found at Initiating a Background Screen.

• What do the different Background Screen status updates mean in my Learning Center Profile?

Here is the current list of Background Screen statuses and their definitions:

None – User has not initiated a background screen

Awaiting Result – User background screening submitted and awaiting update from NCSI

Incomplete – NCSI requires more information from user and will contact the individual directly to request information

Clear – Good background check

Flagged – Screening is flagged and user is contacted directly by NCSI and the Learning Center^*

Duplicate – A screening was already processed with matching data in the past 14 days

Cancelled – User did not respond to multiple attempts by NCSI for additional information

^*User has the option to appeal and enter into the legal pending process

• I've successfully created my Profile and passed the NCSI background screening. How do I register for 2020?

If you are a Grassroots Referee, you need to complete the 2020 Grassroots Referee Recertification Course Online (Statewide) in the Learning Center. Regional Referees need to complete the 2020 Regional Referee Recertification Course Online (Statewide). Instructions for how to recertify and register for 2020 are provided on the Recertification & Registration page of our website.

• How do I know what my Referee Grade is now?

If you were registered as a Grade 9, 8, or 7 Referee in 2019, then you are designated a Grassroots Referee. If you were registered as a Grade 6 or 5 State Referee in 2019, then you are designated a Regional Referee.

• I'm trying to signup for the 2020 Grassroots Referee Recertification Course Online (Statewide) Module but the Learning Center says that I'm not eligible to register for it. What do I do?

You either have an issue with your Profile, had a lapse in your registration, or you are 18 or older and do not have a completed NCSI Background Check on file. Check your Profile. Are all your licenses listed? Is "NCSI result: clear" displayed? If you have questions about your Profile or the status of your background check, e-Mail US Soccer at referee@ussoccer.org.

• I'm 17 and want to register for the 2020 Grassroots Referee Recertification Course Online (Statewide). I'll turn 18 just before the Spring Season starts. Do I need to initiate a background check now?

No. Go ahead and complete the module. When you turn 18, you'll receive a notification from US Soccer that you must undergo a background check.

• What additional requirements do I need to satisfy this year in order to be able to register for 2020?

Assignments associated with the Grassroots Referee and Regional Referee recertification curricula are listed on the South Dakota Soccer Referees website Recertification & Registration page. They include:

• Taking an online 25 question recertification quiz based on the 2019-20 IFAB Laws of the Game. A score of 100% is required. If you miss any of the questions, you are taken back to the ones you marked incorrect and given another chance.
• Viewing the 2020 Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments online presentation. This is a 30 minute Recognize to Recover (R2R) presentation that focuses on Concussion Awareness, Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), Heat Stroke, Cold Weather Playing Conditions, and Lightning Safety Procedures.
  • Completing 2020 SafeSport Training if you are age 18 or older – a 90 minute module (30 minutes if you completed SafeSport last year). SafeSport training is designed to help you detect and report emotional, physical and sexual abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences.

Grassroots Referees are also required to complete a 4 hour E-Learning module refresher on the Laws of the Game.

• How do I get my 2020 Badge after I've registered?

South Dakota Soccer State Referee Committee will begin distributing badges to registered referees in batch on December 15th. Subsequent batch mailings will be sent on January 15, February 15, and so on. Make sure that your mailing address is current in your Learning Center Profile.

• Are there any Learning Center User Guides available?
• Yes, go to the South Dakota Soccer Referees website Learning Center page for the User Guides available to date.