Darren is an NCAA Division I football official and three-time Ironman. After teaching elementary school for 17 years, he decided to leave the classroom and pursue his passion for fitness. Darren was introduced to Pilates by his wife, Michelle, who has been practicing Pilates for over ten years. Reluctant to go at first, figuring that it would be too easy or not masculine enough, he soon learned just the opposite. Doing Pilates on a regular basis has helped him to increase his strength and flexibility, correct muscle imbalances, and prevent injuries. Darren completed the 600-hour training program through Power Pilates to earn his Complete Apparatus and Mat certifications. He is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, holds three TRX certifications, and is a certified Spinning Instructor. Darren earned his BA in Liberal Studies from Cal Poly Pomona and an MA in Elementary Education from Claremont Graduate University.
I have posted the 2026 CFOA Flag Football Qualification Exam here on our website now. A PDF version of it is available on the Dashboard on Arbiter and under “Lists” => “Forms”. Please do not share this with the LA Unit, as this is proprietary to the CFOA, and LA is not part of the CFOA.
Just like the football study guide, you are responsible for taking both this and the exam on the CIF State Central Hub on Arbiter. If you’re not sure how to do that, please go back and check your emails, check out the below posts, or check the Dashboard on Arbiter, where I have laid out step-by-step instructions.
In addition to the CFOA Summer Study Guide, which is further described in a post below, we are required to take a test (or tests) via the CIF State Office Central Hub on Arbiter. Please check your email for more thorough instructions and illustrations. Here are the basic steps:
Click the blue “Details” button to choose 2026-2027 Football and/or 2026-2027 Flag Football.
For Flag Football, click “Take Test” for the 2026 CFOA Flag Football Rules Test. For Football, click “Take test for the 2026 CFOA Football Rules Test.
Click “Continue” in the “Proceed To Eligibility?” box.
Take and pass the test(s).
From what I understand, you get 10 chances to pass the test(s), and the tests are comprised of the same questions that are on the CFOA Summer Study Guide. However, the questions and answer choices are not in the same order. So, be careful when transcribing your answers!
Please be sure to take the CIF State Office CFOA Football Rules Test and/or Flag Football Rules Test as soon as possible. Kenny will not be physically able to assign you unless you take those tests!
In addition to the CIF State Office tests, we also have the CFOA Summer Study Guide to take, which is here on our website. As previously mentioned, the reason we have to do both is that the CIF State Office is requiring it at the state level for eligibility of officiate any and all CIF sports. Furthermore, as part of our accreditation, we have to complete a minimum of 18 instructional hours (21 for rookies). We are requiring at the local level to give you credit for instructional hours so that you don’t have to attend an additional meeting. Likewise, in a couple weeks, we will have our classification exam, which will also be posted on our website.
If you have not already paid your dues, you can use the QR code below to send your dues via Zelle. The dues for veterans are $145; rookies and 2nd-year officials are $125.
If you’d prefer to pay via credit card, please not that there is a $6 processing fee added. Veteran officials (including transfers) may use the QR code below to pay $151 via credit card.
Veterans
Rookies and 2nd-year officials can pay $131 via credit card by using the QR code below.
Rookies and 2nd Year
Please make sure that you register for the CIF Officials Association by clicking the link below: https://app.arbitersports.com/registration/official/register/5749?org=9529&role=3. There is a $30 registration fee, which will include a background check. This is a requirement for all CIF sports beginning the 2026-2027 school year, and Arbiter will not let you be assigned to any games if you have not registered. You only have to register once per school year, and the registration covers any and all CIF sports that you officiate.
Our members continue to hone their skills and advance in the ranks of football and flag football! Congratulations to Mike Klementich (left) for being invited to work with the USA Olympic Flag Football Team and to Dave Cater (right, center official) for white hatting two games at the University of Redlands college flag football tournament!
Here’s the crew from last night’s Division 7 semifinal between Palm Springs and Barstow. From left to right are Jeremy Hamlett (L), Matt Rascon (B), Tim Dow (R), Kenny James Jr. (U), Richard Lamas (S), Frank Fontes (H), and Bill Sullivan (F). Looks like it was a chilly one!
Looks like the crew had some mucky conditions in last night’s CIF-SS 8-Man Division 1 Quarterfinal game between CSDR and Faith Baptist. Pictured from left to right are: Dave Cater (H), Richard Lamas (L), Michael Guzman (U), Matt Rascon (B), and Jeff Jablonsky (R). Good luck getting that mud out of your shirt, Mike!
Congratulations to Dave Cater for being assigned to white hat the 2025 CIF-SS Division 2 Flag Football Championship game! Pictured from left to right is the crew: Shawn Martinez (Inland), Anthony Green (Inland), Dave Cater, William Reeves (Long Beach), and DeAndre Lucious (Long Beach).
