You have found the right place to become a Texas football official!

To learn more about our training program, season schedule, and other aspects of officiating football, review the following Frequently Asked Questions. To place your name and contact information on our 2024 training class email list, go to the prospective member form below, and provide your contact information and our recruiting team will reach out with further information.

Want to join our contact list? Have questions?
Please fill out the form below.

Work Chains on Friday Nights?

If you are interested in only working chains on Friday nights (not an official on the field) please click this link to register on the TASO website for that opportunity. Your $50 registration payment to TASO will be reimbursed upon registering and your AFOA local chapter dues will be waived the first year. That means you get all the fun of Friday night with no expenses incurred your first year of games! After registering, please submit your information in this form to be reimbursed your $50 registration payment.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Why become a football official?

Your love of football brought you to this website. You need not be an ex-player or coach to become a great official and have a memorable officiating career. Working around student-athletes at all levels of football is gratifying, plus you’ll develop life-long friendships with other officials who share your passion for the game. Prior officiating experience is good but not required. Our thorough training program will prepare you for an enjoyable and successful officiating career. Officiating football is also a great way to get and stay in shape, be a positive role model for student-athletes, retain your competitive edge, and earn additional income.

How do I enroll in the training program?

First, fill out the form below so we can add you to our training class list. Most training meetings are held on Monday evenings, 6-8 pm, from early July through early November. In August, after you've attended a few summer meetings and had time to decide if officiating is right for you, you’ll be provided and asked to complete an application. Once you submit the application and complete the background check, you’ll be enrolled in the training class and gain access to RefTown, the software system used to schedule our sub-varsity and varsity game assignments. The non-refundable training fee (currently $50) will be due and payable in October.

What type of training will I receive?

The Austin football chapter of TASO (Texas Association of Sports Officials) provides a two-year training program for new members. Training classes meet each Monday night (July through November), include classroom and on-field instruction, and are taught by a crew of veteran officials. New officials should make plans to attend training sessions each Monday night. The classes are mandatory.

What time commitment must I make to officiate football?

As a first-year official, you’ll be expected to attend Monday night training meetings and study the rules related to class discussion. Sub-varsity games are scheduled Monday through Thursday evenings. As a first-year official, you have the opportunity to work most weeknights, except Mondays. You will decide how much you want to work depending on your desire and availability. During the season, you will be asked to work games in a variety of stadiums throughout Central Texas. This distribution of games will help you become familiar with and receive training from most of our veteran officials.

How will I be paid?

Local schools and school districts hire football officials as independent contractors. Accordingly, you’ll receive a check for each game assignment you work from the school district. We recommend you keep accurate records as your earnings are taxable, reportable income. As a new official, you’ll start working sub-varsity games, which pay $40-$50/game. Varsity game pay is based on game attendance. On most weeknights, new officials work two, back-to-back, sub-varsity games at the same stadium (for example one 7th-grade game and one 8th-grade game), and receive $40-$50/game. A mileage fee of $20-$50/night is also paid, with mileage calculated using State of Texas rates for games outside metro Austin. We carpool to most games outside the metro area. Varsity game chain and clock assignments are paid, too.

What costs are involved?

Most officiating equipment must meet specific requirements, so we encourage you not to attempt and purchase a uniform at local sporting goods stores (Academy). Your start-up uniform will cost approximately $150, including mostly black, cleated shoes. Several online vendors sell officiating equipment, and vendors may sell uniforms at the early training meetings. You’ll have an opportunity to obtain previously worn uniforms, too. Local TASO chapter dues run about $130/year.

Where are the games officiated by the Austin TASO football chapter?

Austin football officials work both public (UIL) and private school (TAPPS) games throughout Central Texas. While the majority of games are in metro Austin, game assignments include nearby Central Texas school districts, too. Youth football games are not associated with our chapter but are assigned by members of our chapter who work with local youth leagues. These games, typically on Saturdays, provide great training for new officials. However, no game or training points are awarded for these games. Pay is provided by the youth football leagues.

How do I gain experience and start working varsity games? How are varsity officials chosen?

Chapter members are ranked based on points accrued by working games, attendance at officiating clinics, and exam scores. On-field evaluations affect rankings, too. During your first couple of seasons, attempt to work as many scrimmages and sub-varsity games as you are assigned. On Friday nights (varsity games), run the chains and the clock in every game you are assigned.

How do I become a collegiate and/or NFL official?

If you want to officiate college or pro football, this is the place to start. All of the officials you see working Saturdays and Sundays began in a local chapter working sub-varsity and varsity games. Several members of the Austin TASO football chapter are college officials, and one member is an umpire in the NFL.

What’s the most common complaint of football officials?

Almost every chapter member regrets waiting to start training to become a football official. Don’t make their mistake and wait another season to start the process of becoming a Texas high school football official. To learn more about the training program and get added to the training class list, please fill out the form below.