
If you're interested in becoming a high school basketball referee in Missouri, there are a few key steps you need to take. Firstly, you should register with the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), which is the governing body for high school sports in the state. The registration process includes paying a fee, which is $65 for your first sport, and you'll need to register each year. After registering, you'll receive study materials to prepare for the officiating exam, which you must pass with a grade of 75% or higher to receive your officiating license. Additionally, you may need to complete a RefReps Officiating Education course, which is required by some state associations. To referee college games, you'll need to become a member of a local chapter of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA) and meet their requirements, which include previous experience and assessments.
How to become a high school basketball referee in Missouri
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Registering body | MSHSAA |
| Registration fee | $65 for the first sport, $30 for the second sport, and $25 for each sport thereafter |
| Registration frequency | Annually |
| Exam | Open book, requires a passing grade of 75% |
| Number of exam attempts | 3 |
| Wait time to reapply after failing 3 attempts | 1 year |
| Sports certified by MSHSAA | Football, basketball, soccer, swimming, water polo, track, wrestling, volleyball, softball, field hockey, and baseball |
| Referee gear supplier | Official Sports International (OSI) |
| Referee gear line for beginners | "Economy" |
| Referee training | MRDP.org |
| Clinics for referee training | MSHSAA Officials Home |
| Referee certification for college games | NISOA |
| Referee qualification for youth matches | USSF Certified Referee |
| Referee qualification for high school matches in Missouri | MSHSAA Certified Referee |
| Referee qualification for collegiate matches | NISOA Certified Referee |
| Referee training camp provider | NISOA |
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What You'll Learn

Register with MSHSAA
To officiate high school basketball games in Missouri, you must register with the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). The MSHSAA is the state-wide governing body for high school sports matches, including soccer, and is a member of the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS).
To register with the MSHSAA, you must complete the following steps:
- Create an account: On the MSHSAA website, you can create an account by providing your personal information, such as your name, contact details, and sport of interest.
- Pay the registration fee: As of 2024, the cost to apply for the first sport is $65, $30 for the second sport, and $25 for each additional sport. These fees are subject to change, so please refer to the official MSHSAA website for the most up-to-date information.
- Annual renewal: Officials must renew their registration with the MSHSAA annually to maintain their certification and eligibility to officiate high school sports in Missouri.
After successfully registering with the MSHSAA, you will receive study materials to prepare for the officiating exam. The exam is open-book, and a passing grade of 75% is required to obtain your officiating license. If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, you are allowed two additional retakes before having to wait another year to reapply.
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Pay the $65 application fee
To become a high school basketball referee in Missouri, you will need to pay a $65 application fee. This fee is required to register with the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), which is the governing body for high school sports in the state. Registering with the MSHSAA will allow you to officiate high school basketball games specifically in Missouri. The cost to apply is $65 for the first sport, $30 for the second sport, and $25 for each additional sport. This fee covers the cost of processing your application and administering the officiating exam.
After paying the application fee, you will receive access to study materials to prepare for the exam. The exam is open-book and covers the rules and regulations of the sport, as well as general officiating procedures. A passing grade of 75% is required to obtain your officiating license. If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, you are allowed to retake it two more times before having to wait a year to reapply.
In addition to the MSHSAA registration, if you are interested in working youth basketball matches, you may also want to consider becoming a USSF (United States Soccer Federation) Certified Referee. The USSF oversees a wide range of soccer games, from recreational to national team competitions, and offers a 16-hour "Entry Level Clinic" to prepare prospective referees. However, it is important to note that certification with the USSF may have additional requirements and fees.
Furthermore, if you have aspirations to referee at the college level, you may need to become a member of a local chapter of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). NISOA connects referees with assignors for collegiate matches. The requirements to become a NISOA referee include previous refereeing experience, a minimum score on a written exam, game experience, field performance assessments, a physical fitness test, and letters of recommendation.
While the $65 application fee is a standard cost for registering with the MSHSAA, there may be additional costs and steps required depending on the specific level and scope of basketball refereeing you aim to pursue.
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Prepare for the exam
To prepare for the exam to become a high school basketball referee in Missouri, there are several steps you should take. Firstly, ensure you are registering with the correct organisation. MSHSAA is the governing body for high school sports in Missouri, so you will need to register with them to officiate high school basketball games. This registration costs $65 for the first sport, $30 for the second, and $25 for each additional sport.
Once registered, you will receive study materials to prepare for the exam. Make sure you utilise these materials, as they will provide you with the knowledge you need to pass the exam. Additionally, consider taking advantage of other resources, such as the Missouri Referee Development Program (MRDP.org), which offers a database of memos and other useful information for referees in Missouri.
If you are in the Central Missouri area, you will need to attend a 16-hour "Entry Level Clinic" held over a Saturday and Sunday. This clinic will cover the Laws of the Game and other referee-specific topics. At the end of the clinic, you will take the exam, so the clinic is a great way to prepare.
While the exam is open book, it is still important to study and understand the material thoroughly. Focus on grasping the concepts and rules, rather than simply memorising them, as this will help you not only pass the exam but also become a more effective referee.
Finally, keep in mind that if you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, you are allowed two retakes before having to wait a year to reapply. So, use this as motivation to prepare well and approach the exam with confidence.
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Pass the exam
To pass the exam, you will need to prepare with the study materials sent to you after registering with the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). The exam is open-book, and you will need to score a minimum of 75% to pass. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may retake the exam two more times before having to wait a year to reapply.
The exam will test your knowledge of the rules and regulations of basketball, as well as your understanding of the role and responsibilities of a referee. You will also need to demonstrate your decision-making skills and ability to apply the rules in game scenarios.
While there are no specific details on the format of the MSHSAA exam, referee exams in other states include multiple-choice questions. For example, to become a USSF referee in Central Missouri, you must attend a 16-hour "Entry Level Clinic" over a weekend. At the end of the clinic, you take a 100-question multiple-choice exam.
If you are seeking to referee college-level basketball games, you will need to become a NISOA referee. The NISOA referee qualification exam includes a written exam and field performance assessments. To pass the written exam, you will need a minimum score of 75%. The field performance assessments can be satisfied by attending a referee training camp.
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Receive your license
To receive your referee license in Missouri, you must register with the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). This is the state-wide governing body for high school sports matches, and registration will allow you to officiate high school games in Missouri. The cost to apply is $65 for the first sport, $30 for the second, and $25 for each additional sport. You must register each year.
After registering, you will be sent study materials to prepare for the officiating exam. This exam is open-book, and you will need a grade of 75% or higher to pass. If you do not pass, you may retake the exam two more times before having to wait a year to reapply. Once you have passed, the MHSAA will send you a license to officiate high school sports in Missouri.
If you are interested in working youth basketball matches, you will need to become a USSF Certified Referee. This requires attending a 16-hour "Entry Level Clinic", which covers the Laws of the Game and other referee-specific topics. At the end of the clinic, you will take a 100-question multiple-choice exam. Passing the exam will allow you to begin working games immediately.
For college-level basketball games, you will need to become a NISOA referee. This requires membership in a local NISOA chapter, previous experience, a written exam, game experience, field performance assessments, a physical fitness test, a physician's statement of health, and letters of recommendation.
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Frequently asked questions
To become a high school basketball referee in Missouri, you must register with the MSHSAA. The cost to apply is $65 for the first sport, $30 for the second, and $25 for each additional sport. After registering, you will receive study materials to prepare for the officiating exam. A score of 75% or higher is required to pass.
Yes, officials must register with the MSHSAA every year.
If you are in the Central Missouri area, you can become a USSF Referee by attending a 16-hour "Entry Level Clinic". You can also become a NISOA Referee to work college games by joining a local NISOA chapter.
Yes, the Missouri Referee Development Program (MRDP.org) has a database of memos and other resources for referees in the state.









































