Minimum Age Requirement for Flag Football Referees in Central Florida: What You Need to Know

If you’re interested in becoming a flag football referee in Central Florida, you may be wondering about the minimum age requirement. Officiating flag football is a great way to earn money, stay active, and gain leadership experience, but there are specific age requirements to ensure referees are ready for the role.

If you meet the age requirement and are ready to start, Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) provides training, certification support, and game assignments to help you begin your officiating journey.

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What Is the Minimum Age to Become a Flag Football Referee in Central Florida?

The minimum age requirement to become a certified flag football referee in Central Florida is 16 years old. This standard is set by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) for officiating high school and competitive youth flag football games.

Some youth leagues and recreational programs may allow officials as young as 14 or 15 years old to referee lower-age divisions or assist as line judges under a mentorship program.

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Why Is the Minimum Age Requirement Set at 16?

• Maturity & Decision-Making – Referees must manage the flow of the game, enforce rules, and communicate with players and coaches effectively.
• Physical Fitness – Officiating flag football requires movement up and down the field to follow plays.
• Game Knowledge & Training – By 16, referees are expected to have a solid understanding of the rules and officiating mechanics.

If you’re younger than 16 but want to get involved, consider attending officiating clinics, shadowing experienced referees, or helping with younger age groups in local leagues.

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How to Become a Flag Football Referee at 16+ in Central Florida

If you meet the minimum age requirement, follow these steps to start officiating:

1. Register with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)
2. Complete the required officiating training through PCO
3. Pass the certification exam to become eligible for game assignments
4. Purchase your referee gear (whistle, uniform, stopwatch, penalty flag, etc.)
5. Get assigned to games through Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO)

New referees typically start with youth leagues and junior varsity games before advancing to varsity and higher-level matches.

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Can Younger Individuals Get Involved in Officiating?

While full certification starts at 16 years old, some leagues allow younger individuals to gain experience by:

• Assisting with recreational or youth flag football games
• Shadowing experienced referees
• Attending officiating clinics for early training

These programs help younger individuals develop skills before they become eligible for full certification.

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Why Become a Flag Football Referee?

✅ Earn competitive pay while officiating games
✅ Stay active and involved in the football community
✅ Flexible scheduling with evening and weekend matches
✅ Opportunities to advance to higher levels of officiating

If you’re 16 or older and ready to start officiating, Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) is here to help with certification, training, and game assignments.

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Ready to Start Officiating?

The minimum age to become a flag football referee in Central Florida is 16, making it a great opportunity for high school students, young athletes, and anyone looking to get involved in the sport.

Primary Coverage Officiating provides all the resources you need to get certified and start working games.

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