New and Transfer Officials
Interested in officiating football?
Prospective new officials often have concerns and questions. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the District Director.
Why become a member of District 11 of the South Carolina Football Officials Association?
We typically start meetings in April and they continue until July and you can come there to join. All meetings will be held at Conway HS. You can also join by completing a New Member Application and mailing that to us at the address below or emailing us. You will also have to have a physical exam completed by your own physician.
Common Document Downloads Do I need prior experience as a football official?
Prior experience is preferred but is NOT required. We conduct a thorough rules and mechanics training program for new officials at no cost to you. The meeting schedule on the homepage indicates how those are covered. New officials are assigned a mentor to help them acclimate to the field as well.
What time commitment must I make to officiate football?
District 11 hosts preseason training meetings and regular membership meetings (1 per week during the preseason). Regular season games (sub-varsity) typically kick off around 5:30pm. Sub-varsity games are played Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so no one is required to work games every day. You can work as much or as little, depending on your desire and availability. However, it behooves you as a new official to work as often as possible and see many snaps.
Where do we do officiate?
In Horry, Williamsburg and Georgetown counties in northern South Carolina. However, varsity officials are called on to officiate up to 75 miles from their home (although you can limit your mileage) and outside District 11's footprint.
How do you join?
Each official's progress is based on a rating system. Each year officials can earn up to 100 points for
Is my officiating income taxable?
As an independent contractor, each official is responsible for the reporting of the income, typically on a schedule C of their IRS tax return. Most all of your expenses are also reportable and can reduce the amount of income taxed by IRS.
How do I receive pre-season scrimmage assignments?
Prior to the beginning of the regular season there are scrimmages. This is a great opportunity to practice and hone officiating skills before the real games begin.
How do I receive game assignments? District 11 and SCHSL use ArbiterSports.com (a scheduling website) as its scheduling mechanism for all sub-varsity, varsity and middle school games. Officials all must block any dates they will not be available. It is not a good idea to decline games that you are assigned. You will also receive periodic emails advising a new opportunities as they become available.
If you are a new official to football or just moved to the area, we would love to add you to our roster. Submit your personal information to the District 11 Director and someone will be in touch with you.
What does it pay? The Executive Committee of the SCHSL has approved the following three (3) classes of fees for varsity games set forth by the South Carolina Football Officials Association:
Why become a member of District 11 of the South Carolina Football Officials Association?
- Because you LOVE football
- To experience camaraderie with other officials and form lifelong relationships
- To have a competitive outlet
- To be positive role models to the community
- To have a reason to get in and stay in shape
- For extra income
We typically start meetings in April and they continue until July and you can come there to join. All meetings will be held at Conway HS. You can also join by completing a New Member Application and mailing that to us at the address below or emailing us. You will also have to have a physical exam completed by your own physician.
Common Document Downloads Do I need prior experience as a football official?
Prior experience is preferred but is NOT required. We conduct a thorough rules and mechanics training program for new officials at no cost to you. The meeting schedule on the homepage indicates how those are covered. New officials are assigned a mentor to help them acclimate to the field as well.
What time commitment must I make to officiate football?
District 11 hosts preseason training meetings and regular membership meetings (1 per week during the preseason). Regular season games (sub-varsity) typically kick off around 5:30pm. Sub-varsity games are played Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so no one is required to work games every day. You can work as much or as little, depending on your desire and availability. However, it behooves you as a new official to work as often as possible and see many snaps.
Where do we do officiate?
In Horry, Williamsburg and Georgetown counties in northern South Carolina. However, varsity officials are called on to officiate up to 75 miles from their home (although you can limit your mileage) and outside District 11's footprint.
How do you join?
- Complete and submit the District 11 SCFOA Membership Application and $50 dues by July 1.
- Register with the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) by July 1. State registration fees are $75 but $15 less if you are officiating another sport in SC during the current school year.
- If you choose to not officiate on the varsity level, only the District 11 dues will be collected.
- Combination of classroom and on-field scrimmages
- Work with experienced officials
- Mentorship to new officials with a seasoned veteran at your position.
- A lot of fun - as much work as you want and your rating allows
- Mandatory Monday night training meetings April through July
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night assignments for middle school, freshman and JV games. You are not expected to work every night. You are expected to make yourself available for at least one game weekly (excluding varsity). You are expected to travel to schools outside the immediate Myrtle Beach area.
- Depending on your position and rating score, you may be assigned varsity games early in your career
Each official's progress is based on a rating system. Each year officials can earn up to 100 points for
- Rules & Mechanics Exam score (40 pts). Statewide exam held in Columbia on the fourth Saturday July
- Officials Peer Rating score (25 pts). Ratings are made on a 1-10 scale, then multiplied by 2.5. Ratings less than 7 require an explanation by the submitter.
- District meeting attendance (15 pts)
- SCFOA experience credit (15 pts). 2 points per year for first 5 years; 2.5 points given for years 6 & 7. Experience from other states must be documented by former state's athletic governing body.
- Cooperation with District Director (5 pts)
- $75 state registration fees
- $50 District 11 membership dues
- Approximately $100-$200 for equipment
Is my officiating income taxable?
As an independent contractor, each official is responsible for the reporting of the income, typically on a schedule C of their IRS tax return. Most all of your expenses are also reportable and can reduce the amount of income taxed by IRS.
How do I receive pre-season scrimmage assignments?
Prior to the beginning of the regular season there are scrimmages. This is a great opportunity to practice and hone officiating skills before the real games begin.
How do I receive game assignments? District 11 and SCHSL use ArbiterSports.com (a scheduling website) as its scheduling mechanism for all sub-varsity, varsity and middle school games. Officials all must block any dates they will not be available. It is not a good idea to decline games that you are assigned. You will also receive periodic emails advising a new opportunities as they become available.
If you are a new official to football or just moved to the area, we would love to add you to our roster. Submit your personal information to the District 11 Director and someone will be in touch with you.
What does it pay? The Executive Committee of the SCHSL has approved the following three (3) classes of fees for varsity games set forth by the South Carolina Football Officials Association:
|
Regular Season Games
Class Field ECO I $115.00 $59.00 II $100.00 $59.00 III $90.00 $59.00 |
Playoff Quarter/Semifinals Playoff Finals
Field ECO Field ECO $120.00 $63.00 $125.00 $66.00 $105.00 $63.00 $125.00 $66.00 $95.00 $55.00 $125.00 $59.00 |