FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the membership requirements for joining NISOA? Effective as of August 4, 2020

There are several requirements for membership.  They include:

  • Apply for membership through a Chapter or a Regional Board.
  • Submit 2 letters of recommendation from the following: A NISOA member in good standing with at least five years’ experience of officiating, NISOA Assessor, or NISOA Clinician OR Submit 1 recommendation from a NISOA or Conference Assignor.
  • Pass the NISOA Qualifying Exam with a score of at least 75%.
  • Obtain at least three years of game experience at the high school level or U17 and higher in USSF games. Officiate as a referee in at least 25 games at the high school, competitive, amateur, professional, or other games that the Chapter deems to be at the appropriate competitive level.The games selected to meet the 25 game requirement must include a combination of officiated games as both referee and assistant referee at these levels.
  • Meet the NISOA requirement for the physical fitness test or be exempt from the NISOA test based the equivalent USSF fitness test based on the NISOA policy.
  • Complete all of the above requirements within nine months of the initial date of application.
  • Submit all dues and fees.
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Any USSF National or PRO referee is automatically qualified for membership and is not required to complete the above except for A, C, and G
  • All applicants must apply through a local chapter.

How do I find or contact a local NISOA chapter?

Go to the interactive chapter locator map to find the chapter and chapter contact closest to where you live or work.

If I am a member of NISOA how many games am I entitled to receive each year?

Game assignments are the prerogative of the local chapter, local or conference assignor.  Membership does not guarantee any intercollegiate game assignments.

I am an active member of NISOA. What requirements must I meet to maintain being a member in good status?

To renew as an intercollegiate soccer official with the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, each member must meet the following requirements:

  1. Attend three mandatory local Chapter meetings;
  2. Take the NISOA Refresher Test (No Pass; No Fail);
  3. Take the NISOA Fitness Performance Test or equivalent as approved by NISOA;
  4. Pay annual local Chapter dues and national dues;

At the discretion of the local Chapter, any renewal member who fails to meet the minimum passing grade on the NISOA Physical Performance Test may be placed on probation; he/she may then be assigned one game as an official (Referee or Assistant Referee) and be assessed on the one game. If the official passes the assessment, he/she shall be declared a full member and taken off of probation. In event the member fails to meet the minimum passing grade, he/she may retake the test within six months of the date of failure.

How much does it cost to join NISOA and remain a member?

The initial membership fee is broken into two parts.  A $105 dues and a minimum of $120 referee kit purchase. Renewal dues are $75 to the National office plus any local dues and fees.

How do I buy a new NISOA referee badge?

Go to the forms page and click on the Sales form.

Can a high school member join NISOA?

NISOA has an interscholastic division.  The dues are $20 initially and $15 annually.  The interscholastic member has access to NISOA materials, receives an interscholastic newsletter and is  covered by NISOA liability insurance.

Does NISOA provide insurance?

Yes. Go here for more information.

How can I receive an assessment?

Contact your local chapter officers and determine if there is a local assessor available.  If not contact the Regional Area Coordinator for the geographic region you are officiating in and request an assessment.

Must I pay for an assessment?

Yes.  NISOA has a fee policy for assessors.

Why should I be assessed?

Assessment is a part of continual education.  The NISOA assessor will provide feedback on strengths and areas of development that will improve the referee skills.

How can I advance in NISOA as a referee?

There are many ways to advance.  One is obtaining a mentor from within the local chapter and setting goals for your refereeing career.  Another is to seek out opportunities to work with top officials in the chapter so they can observe your skills and recommend advancement.

After 3 years of membership an individual can apply for the National Referee Program and advance to that level.

What is the National Referee Program?

The National Referee Program (NRP) is the top approximately 10% of NISOA members who officiate at the highest level of intercollegiate soccer and post season play.

How do I become a National Referee?

Please refer to the National Referee link on the home page for specific details.

How much do NISOA national executive staff members earn?

NISOA is a volunteer organization with three, part-time employee positions.  Elected and appointed staff volunteer their time.  They are reimbursed for travel, transportation, and lodging related costs.

How do I get NISOA General Liability Insurance information and proof of insurance?

Check here. If you need a copy of the binder/endorsement page as proof of insurance, follow the directions here.

How do I transfer between NISOA chapters?

Members in good standing may request to transfer to another chapter using the form on the Forms tab of our website.

110 Responses to “FAQs”

  1. I am a college professor (in exercise science) at Oklahoma CIty University and have been a member of NISOA for about 15 years. I have written an article about a pre-game warm-up for officials which I would like to be considered for the pre-season newsletter. Who do I send it to?

    Thank you for your time and consideration.

    Sincerely;

    Scott Staiger

  2. My name is John Breig i am a soon to be 20 year old who officiates high school soccer. I am in my second year now so i do not yet have the years required to apply to NISOA but i understand that NISOA has a interscholastic division i would like to know how i can join this part. Thanks.

  4. i do not find any phone number on this web site to call any one at nisoa for imformation

    i need a copy of past printed printed material

  5. Hello,

    Once again I would like to recommend a rule change for soccer matches at the collegiate level for next year. Please forward to the appropriate people. Most referees and coaches that I’ve talked to agree with this rule change.

    Rule change: For regular-season matches only, tied games after regulation shall be two 10 minute sudden victory periods except when the game is scoreless. If the game is scoreless after regulation time, no overtime period will be played and the game shall remain a tie. Overtime is played only when a goal has occurred during regulation time.

    Many scoreless games after regulation remains scoreless after overtime. If teams are unable to score in 90 minutes, an additional 20 minutes may not be the answer.

    This new rule suggestion may help encourage better play.

    Bob Latgis
    MISOA (Baltimore, MD)

    • I think that regardless of the score whether it be 0-0 or 1-1 or 2-2 etc. Overtime should remain. Adapting this proposed additional rule will change the make up of the game. What I mean by this is why should two teams who are scoreless at the final 90 not have the same chance to gain 3 points as a team who is tied 1-1? Also what benefit is this going to give players? Encourage better play? As a former player, and I think I speak for almost all players, when we step on the field we give 100% of what we have and nothing less. If anything extra time allows the players to challenge them selves and see just how mentally and physically tough they really are. I believe it shows who deserves three points if you win in over time. If you were to do away with extra time for a scoreless draw then you must be fair and do away with it for all draws.

      • Your thoughts will be forwarded to the secretary rules editor of the NCAA Rule Book. Thank you

  6. What is the “minimum” NISOA NRP candidate practical field assessment score? 70%? 75% 80% Thanks

  7. who is the assignor for Depaul University in Chicago or the big east, and who the assignor for southern Wisconsin, thx, Adnan .

  8. NISOA used to publish an assignors list –the last one I saw was 2005!! As the areas go more to conference assignors etc. when a referee moves it if very difficult to find out who to contact. Where is the assignors directory or list for conferences—can we make one one does not existent?

  9. Good afternoon! I would like to renew my Interscholatic membership. What address do I use for payment. In addition, I have been in contact with John Hagenstein MISOA to work out a chapter membership. With the collegiate and High school on going, I am having difficulty finding an open date for physical. We will work it out.
    Thank you for the courtesy of reviewing my request. Dam Meyer

    10983 HWY 70 E
    Woodruff WI 54568

    • Tom Richardson is the correct person
      574 Thomas Ross Lane
      Kernersville, NC 27284

  10. A player scored a goal, from a corner kick, as time expired. The match clock read 00 while the shot entered the goal.
    Is a goal given, or denied? I could not find the answer to this in the NCAA Soccer Rule Book.
    Thank you,
    Doug Howell

    • Per the secretary rules editor the expiration of time is the moment when the timekeeper’s timing device begins to signal regardless of the position of the ball. Rule 6.3.9 A.R. 6.3.9 in the event of malfunction.

Newer Comments »