NCAA Refs

[actuary77]

Are NBA refs the only ones considered "professional refs"? I know for a fact that if you're an NBA ref, that's your full-time job with a hefty annual salary.

How about NCAA refs? Are they full-time refs as well or do they just do this on the side and have other full-time jobs?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I know NFHS refs are just part-time and do this on the side. So are NFHS refs called "amateur" refs then?

Also, how does one become an NCAA ref? Does one always have to go through the ranks of officiating NFHS games first or can one apply and get licenced directly by the NCAA with no high school experience?

Just curious because as I read more and more of these threads, I become more and more excited about a possible (part-time) career in basketball officiating.