How to Get Certified as a Flag Football Referee in Central Florida: Complete Guide

Becoming a certified flag football referee in Central Florida is a great way to stay involved in the sport, earn competitive pay, and develop leadership skills. Certification ensures that referees understand the rules, mechanics, and responsibilities required to officiate at youth, high school, and competitive levels.

If you’re ready to get started, Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) provides training, certification support, and game assignments to help you begin your refereeing journey.

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Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Before beginning the certification process, ensure you meet these basic requirements:

• Minimum Age: 16 years old (some youth leagues may allow younger officials for lower-age divisions).
• Physical Fitness: Ability to move quickly, maintain focus, and keep up with the game pace.
• Basic Knowledge of Flag Football Rules: Not required but helpful for training.

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Step 2: Register with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)

To officiate flag football games in Central Florida, referees must register with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), which governs high school and competitive officiating.

How to Register:

1. Visit the FHSAA website and complete the online registration process.
2. Select Flag Football as Your Sport when choosing officiating categories.
3. Pay the Registration Fee, which varies depending on the level of certification.

Once registered, you’ll gain access to training materials and officiating resources.

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Step 3: Complete Required Officiating Training

All new flag football referees must complete training that includes:

• Online Rules & Mechanics Course: Covers NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) and flag football-specific regulations.
• On-Field Training Sessions: Focuses on positioning, signaling, and game management.
• Mechanics & Communication Training: Helps referees develop skills in handling game flow, player interactions, and officiating challenges.

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Step 4: Pass the Certification Exam

To become fully certified, referees must pass:

✅ Rules Exam: Tests your knowledge of flag football laws, penalties, and officiating procedures.
✅ Mechanics Exam: Evaluates positioning, signals, and real-time decision-making.

Once you pass, you’ll be officially certified and eligible to officiate games.

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Step 5: Get Your Referee Gear

Before officiating your first game, you’ll need to purchase:

• Official referee uniform (black-and-white striped shirt, black pants or shorts)
• Whistle with lanyard
• Black athletic shoes
• Penalty flag and stopwatch
• Down indicator wristband

Proper gear ensures professionalism and credibility on the field.

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Step 6: Get Assigned to Games in Central Florida

Once certified, Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) helps referees get assigned to games at all levels.

To start working games:

• Connect with Primary Coverage Officiating for game assignments.
• Register for youth and high school leagues to gain experience.
• Attend ongoing training and networking opportunities.

With leagues, tournaments, and school matches available, referees can gain experience and start earning right away.

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Step 7: Gain Experience & Advance to Higher Levels

As you officiate more games, you’ll have opportunities to move up to higher levels of flag football officiating, including:

• High school varsity matches
• College flag football (NAIA, NCAA)
• Club and semi-professional leagues

With continued training and commitment, referees can progress to more competitive and higher-paying matches.

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Why Get Certified as a Flag Football Referee?

✅ Earn competitive pay while officiating flag football games
✅ Flexible scheduling with evening and weekend matches
✅ Stay active and connected to Central Florida’s football community
✅ Develop leadership, decision-making, and communication skills

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Get Certified & Start Officiating in Central Florida Today

Getting certified as a flag football referee in Central Florida is a simple process that opens the door to numerous officiating opportunities. Whether you're new to officiating or looking for more assignments, Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) is here to help with training, certification, and game placements.

Contact Primary Coverage Officiating today to begin your journey as a flag football referee!