How to become a referee in the US

[Mark Padgett]

Don't forget that if you're going to referee here in the U.S., you must always follow the first rule of officiating - no exceptions.

[bas2456]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Don't forget that if you're going to referee here in the U.S., you must always follow the first rule of officiating - no exceptions.

It's been a while since I've seen a reference to the (golden) first rule.

[Kansas Ref]

oh and one final thing of warning: you will have to get used to having your personal "social security number" listed on the paperwork of all the gyms/school districts that you work in--yes some woman who is usally the "assistant to the assistant athletic director" will need your ssn so get comfortable issuing around your ssn to various folks all around the city/state--it took me a whole season to get used to this and I'm still leery of it.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

oh and one final thing of warning: you will have to get used to having your personal "social security number" listed on the paperwork of all the gyms/school districts that you work in--yes some woman who is usually the "assistant to the assistant athletic director" will need your ssn so get comfortable issuing around your ssn to various folks all around the city/state--it took me a whole season to get used to this and I'm still leery of it.

Depends on where.....none of the schools I work at have my SSN. One of the benefits of an association that handles the pay for games on behalf of the schools. Only they need to know the SSN....one place.

And for those that must pass out your SSN to work games, get a TIN instead. Use it instead of your SSN. The IRS will know the mapping of that TIN to your SSN for the purposes of taxes but you get to keep your SSN secure.

[bas2456]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Depends on where.....none of the schools I work at have my SSN. One of the benefits of an association that handles the pay for games on behalf of the schools. Only they need to know the SSN....one place.

Jealous.

Where I work, I visit a bunch of different school districts. For the two that I work in for about half of my games, after the first time I've worked in that district that school year, I just write "On File" when the voucher asks for my SSN.

Some schools around here have begun to use an automated pay system, but I kinda like opening up the checks I get in the mail. Also having the paper trail helps with my personal accounting.

[italian_referee]

Thank you all guys for all your useful responses!

I have another question: Is it possible to referee games for free voluntarily and have some kind of proof of that?

I am asking this because I am coming to the US with a F-1 student visa which does not allow off-campus employment unless related to the course of studies (in my case it is not related at all), and non-paid refereeing activity may not be considered as employment, and hence I may have some chance of doing that.

Do you have any experience to share?

Thank you all!

[Mark Padgett]

That's pretty simple. Work all the games you can, and tell them to send me the check.

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by italian_referee

Thank you all guys for all your useful responses!

I have another question: Is it possible to referee games for free voluntarily and have some kind of proof of that?

I am asking this because I am coming to the US with a F-1 student visa which does not allow off-campus employment unless related to the course of studies (in my case it is not related at all), and non-paid refereeing activity may not be considered as employment, and hence I may have some chance of doing that.

Do you have any experience to share?

Thank you all!

Non-professional referees in America are almost always independent contractors, which are not employees, so I doubt working games would not be permitted.

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Don't forget that if you're going to referee here in the U.S., you must always follow the first rule of officiating - no exceptions.

Isn't the first rule of officiating taught all over the world already??