A.            GENERAL

1. The NISOA National Referee Program (NRP) shall be open to all active NISOA members in good standing who meet and maintain the requirements as set forth under this policy.

The purpose of the program is to recognize NISOA members with advanced skills to be applied toward more challenging levels of intercollegiate soccer competition, and assist the participants in the development of their officiating skills.

In qualifying through the NISOA National Referee Program, the member will advance through stages, as follows:

a. The NISOA National Referee Applicant: who is defined as any registered and qualified NISOA Referee who desires and applies to enter the first step of the process for becoming a NISOA National Referee.

b. The NISOA National Referee: who is defined as a candidate meeting all of the criteria and is certified and appointed as a NISOA National Referee.

2. The NISOA Emeritus National Referee: who is defined as an active NISOA National Referee who applies, qualifies, and is accepted for the permanent honor, status and recognition as a NISOA Emeritus National Referee, which honor recognizes the Referee’s service to intercollegiate soccer and NISOA by past service in the NISOA National Referee Program.

3. The Probationary NISOA National Referee: who is defined as a NISOA National Referee who has applied and been approved for temporary inactive status under the criteria for approval.

B. NATIONAL REFEREE APPLICANT CRITERIA (See Policy #500.171)

[Deleted].

C.            NATIONAL REFEREE CRITERIA

1.            Meet or exceed the minimum required score on The Physical Performance Test as established by the NRP Director in conjunction with the Director of Physical Fitness.

2.            Meet or exceed the minimum required grade on the current NCAA/NISOA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Test or other written test as established by the NRP Program.

3.            Meet or exceed the minimum number of regular and post-season intercollegiate  soccer games officiated as a referee in the preceding season.

4.            Must re-certify annually by participating in and meeting the established requirements and standards at a NISOA National Referee Program Clinic.

5.            Must submit one (1) assessment as a referee and one (1) assessment as an assistant referee by a certified NISOA Regional or National Assessor of regular or post-season  intercollegiate soccer games for each year which meet or exceed the level of standard established by the NRP Program  The same assessor may not do more than one (1) assessment for the same referee.  Another National Referee may not assess the referee

6.            Assessments are to be coordinated by the Regional Area Coordinator.

7.            Service between certification dates must be active and continuous.

Note: The National Referee Director,  Executive Director or President must approve any deviation.

8.            Must be recommended by their Regional Area Coordinator to continue in the program.

9.            The National Referee Program Director may make a reappointment to the National Referee Program.

10.            Must adhere to the NISOA Code of Ethics.

D. PROBATIONARY NATIONAL REFEREE PROGRAM CRITERIA

1.            An  individual requesting Probationary Status shall submit a written request to their Regional Area Coordinator and provide the following

A.            Their name, address and period dates of  NRP membership; and

B.            Stating the reason(s) why they  will be absent or unable to participate, including, but not limited to, employment or military duty, personal injury or prolonged illness, family or personal matters, relocation, educational issues or other good cause. 

2.            The Regional Area Coordinator shall forward their written comments to the National Referee Program to endorse or deny the request.

3.            The initial period of Probationary Status shall be for one (1) year,  but may be extended for an additional period of no more than one (1) year. The individual may be on probationary status for a period of two (2) years collectively, only after NRP Director’s approval.

4.            The individual may also be placed in Probationary Status by a NRP Clinic default or by failing to complete an NRP requirement . In such an  instance, the individual  must comply with NRP standards and requirements within ninety (90) days of clinic conclusion. Failure to meet the requirements and standards  will result in exclusion from the NRP for the next year.

E.            REINSTATEMENT INTO THE NATIONAL REFEREE PROGRAM

1.            The individual may not re-apply if they have been absent from the program for a period greater than two (2) years absent exceptional circumstances. (Exceptions will be reviewed by the NRP Director, Executive Director and President).

2.            The individual shall submit in writing an application to their Regional Area Coordinator:

A.            Stating their name, address and period dates of  NRP membership; and

B.            Stating the reason why they were absent with supporting documentation, including, but not limited to employment or military duty, personal injury or prolonged illness, family or personal matters, relocation, educational issues or other good cause.

3.            The Regional Area Coordinator shall forward their written recommendation to the National Referee Program Director , Executive Director and President to endorse or deny reinstatement.

4.            If deemed qualified for reinstatement, the individual shall meet all standards required  of the NRP reinstatement level sought before participating in the next NRP Clinic.

5.            The individual may not re-apply if he/she has assumed NRP Emeritus Status.

F.            THE NISOA REGIONAL AREA COORDINATOR:

1.            Shall coordinate the assignments for assessments.

2.            Shall collect all assessments of regional members.

3.            Shall review member NRP data for compliance and level of standards achieved.

4.            Shall submit recommendations to the National Referee Program Director.

5.            Shall coordinate all regional Applicants to the National Referee Program.

G.            NISOA PERFORMANCE RATING SYSTEM:

[Deleted]

H.            NATIONAL REFEREE EMERITUS: (See Policy #500.178)

1.            Any NISOA National Referee in good standing may apply for National Referee Emeritus status any time after five seasons as a National Referee in Good Standing.

2.            They shall request  Emeritus Status, in writing or via email, from  the NISOA National Referee Program Director.

3.            The intent of this  grade is to permanently honor and recognize the contributions of those NISOA National Referees in good standing who have served Intercollegiate Soccer and the NISOA National Referee Program with distinction.

4.            The request to become an Emeritus Referee will be reviewed, and if approved, the member shall receive a National Referee Emeritus Badge which may be worn while officiating NISOA sanctioned games.

5.            A National Referee Emeritus may not re-apply to become a National Referee.

6.            There is no fee to become a National Referee Emeritus.  However, each referee shall be responsible for their local and NISOA annual dues.

I.        NRP PROGRAM  PARTICIPATION EXPENSES

            Refer to Policy Code 900.11