How Do I Become a Certified Referee?
To become a USA Volleyball certified referee (the certification required to referee Yankee and juniors events), there are four components that have to occur every year:
- Join NERVA/Yankee (form starts online here)
- Take the USAV Beginner Referee clinic here. Be sure to follow the information at the end of that clinic.
- Take the Form C referee exam, which you'll get from the clinic. Taking the clinic will give you the URL and p/w for the exam.
- Do a practical rating (being evaluated as R1 and R2 during live tournament play). When you're completed with the other components of certification, contact Laura Nelson at laura@bssc.com to make arrangements.
What can you do to get ready between now and when you get rated? PRACTICE! You wouldn't expect to be able to just walk out on a court and play a decent or high level tournament without getting in the gym. Same goes for refereeing. You need to practice blowing the whistle at the right time, practice your signals, and practice making judgment calls at set point.
Referee FAQs
How do I get assigned?
After you get certified, you will be set up in NERVA's online assigning system.
How frequently do I have to referee?
Entry level referees must work one tournament a season (for which you will be paid). Beyond that, it will depend on your interest, availability, and skills. Some referees work one day a month. Others do so far more often.
How much do I get paid?
As a player referee, $20/match. As a non-player, $160/day plus a token amount for travel, and $10/half hour beyond 9 hours.
Once I get a USAV certification, will I be able to work high school or college volleyball?
For more information, contact Steve Webster, NERVA Officials Chair, by email