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OFFICIATE THE GAME YOU LOVE
Get your USA Football Officials Certification and help shape the future of flag football!
Get your USA Football Officials Certification and help shape the future of flag football!
Flag football is rapidly gaining popularity, and with increasing participation at youth, high school, and college levels, the need for highly motivated officials to match the sport's exponential growth is now greater than ever.
This is why USA Football is excited to offer education opportunities for flag football officials. Becoming a flag football official is a great way to give back to your community and contribute to the game you love for a lifetime.
If you are new to officiating or looking to improve, USA Football has the tools to help you confidently officiate the game!
Officials and Officiating are fundamental parts of the game. They are critical to the success of the sport we love, especially in the emerging sport of flag football. To empower those who referee, the USA Football Officials Certification transforms a passion into an opportunity to help shape the future.
If you are new to officiating or want to improve your skills, the Officials Certification gives flag football officials the tools and resources to succeed with comprehensive learning and interactive training courses in USA Flag™ 5's rules, health and safety, conflict management, mental wellness, and more.
Get your Officials Certification, unlock resources available for download, and become eligible for invitations to mentorship and networking opportunities on the USA Football Community platform.
Officiate with Integrity. Inspire Respect. Rise Above the Rest.
- Introduction to Flag Football
- USA Football 5's Rules
- Personal Health
- Health & Safety Recognition
- Field & Competition Preparation
- Fundamentals of Effective Communication
- Conflict Resolution & De-escalation
- Motivation & Commitment
- Understanding & Managing Stress & Anxiety
- Mentorship & Networking
As more youth football leagues, state high school associations, and colleges add flag football programs, the demand for certified officials grows. Whether new or experienced, this Certification is for those passionate about officiating at any level.
More Opportunities
Become eligible for USA Football Sanctioned Tournaments and National Team Development Program competitions.
Comprehensive Training
Learn everything from the fundamentals to topics no other certification program covers so you can officiate confidently.
Elevate Your Skills
Interactive online courses that give you the skills to handle the dynamic and fast-paced sport of flag football.
Shape the Future
Be part of a growing sport that allows you to help pave the way for flag football officiating.
Join a Supportive Community
Gain access to valuable resources and network with other officials committed to excellence.
The experience of football officials and referees by the numbers*
of officials are not flag football certified
aspire to officiate other game types or levels
officiate as a part-time paid position
(Source: 2024 Football Officials Study conducted by Performance Research)
Become a USA Football Member and get access to exclusive tools and resources to help your performance on-and-off the field.
USA Football is the leader in education and training for flag football officials and the only pathway to officiating at the National Team Development Program and U.S. National Team competitions.
Officials gain the expertise needed to officiate high-level national and international events, which positions them for potential opportunities to officiate at the world's biggest stage in Los Angeles in 2028.
By joining this pathway, officials align with the governing body of American football and earn the recognition and skills needed to become eligible for the most prestigious events flag football offers.
What you need to know about the USA Football Officials Certification
The Certification costs $30 and includes comprehensive training in USA Football 5v5 Flag Football Rules, health and safety for officials, conflict management and de-escalation, and mental wellness. Once completed, you'll gain access to resources and tools such as guides, rulebooks, and become eligible for invitations to mentorship and networking opportunities on the USA Football Community platform.
No, you don't need any prior experience officiating or refereeing to get certified. The USA Football Officials Certification is designed to give you the knowledge and skills for officiating flag football at any level. Whether you're just starting out or want to improve, no matter what sport you've officiated before, this program can help you develop and succeed in your officiating career.
USA Football is the only organization offering flag-specific officiating certification and mental wellness training, aligning with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) to provide a pathway to officiating at both national and international levels.
The USA Football Officials Certification is valid for the calendar year in which it is completed. For instance, if an official or referee completes their Certification on August 1, their Certification will be valid until December 31. After this period, you must renew your Officials Certification by completing the required courses to stay up-to-date.
The USA Football Officials Certification is entirely online, which allows you to complete it at your own pace. Most finish the program within a few hours, depending on their schedule, allowing them to gain the knowledge and skills to start officiating and use their credentials.