Getting Started
FAQ
What can I expect?
Getting started as an FGWLOA official will require time, dedication, and an eagerness to learn. As a first year official you will need to dedicate yourself to learning the rules, honing your on-field presence, and collaborating with other officials among other things. We will guide you along the way.
How do I get games?
Games are assigned by a certified FGWLOA assignor. Upon completion of your certification process, your name will be provided to the assignor to be added to ArbiterSports. ArbiterSports.com is the tool used for assigning games to certified women’s lacrosse officials.
How much can I expect this to cost?
As a new official, you can expect to pay approximately $200.00 to $275.00 your first year as listed below:
USA Lacrosse Membership – $55.00 (expires September 30th annually)
Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) – $55.00 for 1 sport
Jessica Lunsford Badge - approx $85
FGWLOA Dues: $40 ( First year officials waived upon completion of season)
Uniform & Equipment – up to $120 (see approved uniform listed in the USL Policies & Procedures Manual) All additional years, your expenses will be your annual dues to FGWLOA, FHSAA, and USA Lacrosse, as well as, any expenses for replacing worn out uniforms and equipment.
FGWLOA provides your ref kit at training ( cards, whistle, flag)
What is the overall commitment?
In addition to the time actually spent working the games, you’ll need to attend meetings, take time to study rules and mechanics, observe experienced officials and take the time to talk to veterans and listen to their experiences. Most veterans love to share their stories and will welcome your interest!
Classroom training is generally held in November/ December and in early to mid-January.
When assigned a game you should arrive at the field no less than 30 minutes prior to the start of the game. This time is needed to ensure that a proper pregame discussion takes place to help should odd things arise during the game. Most games average around 1 to 1 1/2 hours (two – 25 period, plus a half time up to 10 minutes), however time may vary depending on stoppage of play due to weather, injury, or other related issues.
You will also be required to attend an annual mandatory preseason rules interpretation meeting. There may also be additional mid-season meetings that can be scheduled that are worthwhile for members to attend. Each year veteran officials must give 4 hours of service to FGWLOA through sponsored actions or events. Service can include but is not limited to: serving as an officer of FGWLOA, rating officials, any approved volunteer work, etc…
The Florida High School Girls’ lacrosse season runs from mid- February through April. Youth and Middle School programs tend to start about the same time and may run into May.
1. What steps do I take to Register for an officials’ certification class sponsored by FGWLOA.
Go under the Training dates tab and sign up under the date that works for your schedule.
2. Become a member of US Lacrosse and register with US Lacrosse as a women’s official.
Visit https://www.uslacrosse.org/membership to register. If you are currently a member of USA Lacrosse and registered as a coach, player or parent, you must call the Membership Department at (410) 235-6882 Ext.102 and ask them to register you as an official. Contact US Lacrosse Membership Department at if you need assistance. Please be sure to register with the email address you intend to use for your assigning.
If you currently use Arbiter, they MUST be identical.
3. Submit an application for, and obtain a FHSAA permit number OR add Girls Lacrosse to an existing FHSAA permit. FHSAA is the sanctioning body in Florida for the sport of girl’s scholastic lacrosse. Verify that you meet the requirements to become an FHSAA Official Click our http://www.becomeanofficial.org/faq/ to view the requirements. Register with a local officials association. That’s US!! You must join and maintain membership with FGWLOA who is sanctioned by the FHSAA Office. Register with the FHSAA . You must register with the FHSAA through an application. During this process, you will select which sport(s) you want to officiate, and which official’s associations you are a member of. Have your existing FHSAA Official’s ID if you are a returning FHSAA Official. Comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act. The Jessica Lunsford Act is the informal name given to a 2005 Florida law designed to punish sex offenders and reduce their ability to re-offend.This means that your local officials association will need your finger print clearance prior to assigning you. You may contact your local county school district office for information regarding locations to complete the fingerprint process.Officials are independent contractors and require a level 2 screening (background check). This is a check of a person’s background via state and national databases to ascertain whether the individual has been convicted of a crime(s) and its/their nature. It requires you to file with the district school board a set of fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency or an employee of the school or school district who is trained to take fingerprints.You may refer to Florida Statutes 1012.467 and 1012.468 by clicking here. Register and take the mandatory Online Rules Examination You must take a mandatory rules exam for your sports. The exam will be 50 questions and timed for 75 minutes and is available online. The schedules of the exams will be posted on that website as well as http://www.fhsaa.org/officials.
4. Access and complete the US Lacrosse online learning course. The online learning course must be completed BEFORE the first class. The course is only accessible to current members of US Lacrosse. The class should take between 3-5 hours depending on your familiarity with the sport. To access the course please visit USA LACROSSE LEARNING. Use your selected User Name and Password to access the coursework.
5. Attend the classroom and on-field training. This training process consists of 12 classroom hours and 9 on-field hours. During your training sessions, you will be provided with a training manual and workbook.
6. Pass the written test with a score of 80% or greater. Visit the US LACROSSE CENTRAL HUB FOR LACROSSE OFFICIALS for access to the online rules test.
7. Set up an ArbiterSports officiating account. You must have completed Steps 1 – 6 above before you will receive an invitation to set up an ArbiterSports officiating account. After receiving an invitation and welcome from ArbiterSports: Visit ArbiterSports.com and enter sign-in information that was sent to you from ArbiterSports. Check your Profile page to make sure your personal information is complete and accurate. Your Profile information must be complete, including full address and zip code, as well as a picture of yourself. Block dates when you are not available to officiate by going to the “Blocks” tab and selecting the dates when you are not available. Check the “Ready” box on your ArbiterSports “Profile” page.
8. Equipment (uniforms, whistles, etc.): Officials are responsible to procure their own equipment such as uniforms. FGWLOA does not endorse or have special relationships with any vendors for uniforms and equipment. The following is USA Lacrosse Approved Uniforms: Shirts: 1′ black and white vertical stripes on the body and sleeves. The sleeve style shall be long, short, or sleeveless. It is preferred to be the traditional black Byron or polo collar with black cuffs. The V neck basketball shirt is NOT acceptable. Kilts/Shorts: Pleated or wrap kilts are acceptable. The length of either one should be professional ( mid thigh). Pants: Nylon of other material, neat. Preferably, not gathered at the ankles. Shoes: Predominantly black shoes, black laces. If shoes have white on them, try blacking it out with marker or paint. They should be polished and clean for every game. Socks: Black, low style or solid black knee socks. Undershirts: Long or Short sleeve=solid black. Small logos are unavailable. Hats/Visor: Solid black. Sunglasses, conservative in style and color.
Annual Re certification Requirements
1. Renew USA Lacrosse membership as a women’s official prior to September 30th. Visit US LACROSSE MEMBERSHIP to register. Contact US Lacrosse Membership Department at if you need assistance. Please be sure to register with the email address you intend to use for your assigning. If you currently use Arbiter they MUST be identical.
2. Renew your FHSAA permit number for Girls Lacrosse prior to Jan 1st. FHSAA is the sanctioning body in Florida for the sport of girl’s scholastic lacrosse. Renewals can be completed through FHSAA.
3. Pay dues to FGWLOA. Dues will be deducted from your first paycheck.
(first year officials dues are waived if you finish out the season)
4. Give 4 service hours to FGWLOA.
5. Pass the written test with a score of 80%. Visit the USA LACROSSE CENTRAL HUB FOR LACROSSE OFFICIALS for access to the online rules test. FHSAA exam as well.
6. Earn and subsequently maintain a USA Lacrosse rating.
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