Licensed Official Training Schools for the NFL

Working as an NFL official gives you the responsibility of enforcing the rules on one of the biggest stages in sports. Learning how to become an NFL official requires a significant amount of time and persistence, including the completion of a basic review process and officiating games in NFL Europe before advancing to the licensed official training school, which is hosted at its headquarters in New York City free of charge to potential candidates.

  1. Progression

    • The NFL officiating program expects all candidates to have at least 10 years of experience officiating football, with at least five years at the varsity collegiate or minor professional level. According to NFL official Jim Howey, the preparation and progression for becoming an NFL official takes longer than becoming a rookie player. Those who are ready to be considered for an NFL official position will be ranked by scouts and the best performers are invited to continue the process to earn a coveted spot at the licensed official training school.

    NFL Europe

    • Candidates who successfully complete the review process will be assigned to officiate NFL Europe games in Scotland, Germany and Spain. These leagues are designed to provide training and development before NFL official candidates go to the licensed official training school. Every NFL Europe game is observed and reviewed by the officiating committee. These reviews are used to select about 12 to 15 finalists for the training school.

    Responsibilities

    • During the licensed official training school, students complete a variety of quizzes, exams and study courses with video and pictures to prepare them for careers as NFL officials. The school staff, which includes supervisors, trainers, assistants and coordinators, ensures that students gain a deep and thorough understanding of the rules and learn how to handle pressure situations. At the end of the term, students take two 75-question rules exams and answer 200 additional questions.

    Salary Potential

    • After completing the training school, the NFL's officiating program assigns graduates to a crew with a schedule of games during the pre-season and regular season. As of 2011, the annual salary for NFL officials ranges from $25,000 to $70,000, depending on experience and additional responsibilities performed within the league. Given that the season is less than six months a year, being an NFL official is a part-time job.