Referee License
Requirements & Upgrades

REGISTRATION YEAR REGISTRATION PERIOD OPENS REGISTRATION PERIOD CLOSES CERTIFICATION VALID FROM CERTIFICATION VALID TO
2021 July 1, 2020 June 14, 2021* Date Approved Dec 31, 2021
2022 July 1, 2021 June 14, 2022* Date Approved Dec 31, 2022
2023 July 1, 2022 June 14, 2023* Date Approved Dec 31, 2023

* Registration Period Close is strict to allow Cal South enough time to process your registration with the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Certification, Re-Certification (Maintenance) & Upgrade Requirements

Referee Officials

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2022 Certification Requirements
Minimum Age 13 years old
Training Online course & In-Person Field Training
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $55 paid online.
Register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online through the US Soccer Learning Center
Safety & Compliance For all, only need to complete once:

For those 18 and over, only need to complete once:

Need to complete annually:
 2022 Re-certification Requirements
Annual Training State 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations*
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $55 paid online.
Register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online recertification quiz | Examen en español disponible aqui
Safety & Compliance

For those 18 and over, only need to complete once:

Need to complete annually:
NOTES
  • SafeSport Training required of all Cal South referees 18 and older annually.
  • Upon making registration payment you will receive link to training.
  • Concussion Training and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.

Grassroots Elite Referee

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2022 Certification Requirements
Minimum age 14 years old
Experience Current USSF approved referee of any level
Training 5 In-Service hours offered by local Referee Associations*
Attending 5 CORE trainings
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $70 paid online.
To register & pay: click here
Practical Evaluation One (1) Development & Guidance Assessment as center within a minimum of 11v11 competitive match
Fitness Test Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Fitness modified)

  • Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA)
    Category GRE – 6x40m Sprints with Maximum of 7.0seconds per sprint
  • Interval Test (40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals)
    Category GRE – 20 seconds per 75m run and 28seconds per 25m walk
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
2022 Re-certification Requirements
Annual Training
(State)		 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations
Attending 5 CORE trainings
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $70 paid online.
To register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online Re-certification Quiz | Examen en español disponible aqui
Practical Evaluation One (1) Development & Guidance Assessment as center within a minimum of 11v11 competitive match
Fitness Test Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Fitness modified)

  • Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA)
    Category GRE – 6x40m Sprints with Maximum of 7.0seconds per sprint
  • Interval Test (40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals)
    Category GRE – 20 seconds per 75m run and 28seconds per 25m walk
Safety & Compliance

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
NOTES
  • SafeSport Training required of all Cal South referees 18 and older annually.
  • Upon making registration payment you will receive link to training.
  • Concussion Training and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.
  • This level is a Cal South State tier within the U.S. Soccer Grassroots pathway.
  • Fitness Times: Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Fitness modified)
    • Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA)
      Category GRE – 6x40m Sprints with Maximum of 7.0seconds per sprint
    • Interval Test (40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals)
      Category GRE – 20 seconds per 75m run and 28seconds per 25m walk

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2022 Regional Referee Upgrade Requirements
Age Minimum 18 Years of Age
Previous Certification Minimum of three consecutive years as a Grassroots Referee
Previous Game Experience Cal South Affiliated League Games for the previous two years:

  • 50 games as a Referee
  • 25 Games as AR at local adult amateur level
Annual Training
  • 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations*
  • 5 CORE (Previous RPD) – To pre-register, click here*
  • Regional Referee Course
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online. To register & pay, click here
Laws of the Game Pass the Regional Referee Quiz online: click here. Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background Check
Fitness test Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women’s Referee Test) Male – Category 1/ Female – Category 3

  • Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA)
    Category 1 – 6x40m Sprints with Maximum of 6.4 seconds per sprint
    Category 3 – 6x40m Sprints with Maximum of 6.6 seconds per sprint
  • Interval Test (40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals)
    Category 1 – 17 seconds per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk
    Category 3 – 17 seconds per 75m run and 24 seconds per 25m walk
Practical Evaluation Three passing assessments as a Referee
by 3 different Referee Coaches (Previous Grade 5 Assessors):

  • 2 games at an affiliated Adult Amateur Level
  • 1 from an affiliated youth division (U18 or U19) with 2×45 minute half

3 assessments on affiliated Adult division games may comply with this requirement
NOTES
  • For detailed Fitness Test information, click here.
  • SafeSport Training required of all Cal South referees 18 and older annually. Upon making registration payment, you will receive link to training.
  • Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.
2022 Regional Referee Re-Certification Requirements
Annual Training
  • 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations*
  • 5 CORE (Previous RPD) – To pre-register, click here*
  • Regional Referee Course
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online. To register & pay, click here
Laws of the Game Pass the Regional Referee Quiz online: click here. Passing score is 80%
Fitness Test Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women’s Referee Test) Male – Category 1/ Female – Category 3

  • Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA)
    Category 1 – 6x40m Sprints with Maximum of 6.4 seconds per sprint
    Category 3 – 6x40m Sprints with Maximum of 6.6 seconds per sprint
  • Interval Test (40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals)
    Category 1 – 17 seconds per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk
    Category 3 – 17 seconds per 75m run and 24 seconds per 25m walk
Practical Evaluation Two passing assessments as a Referee
by 2 different Referee Coaches (Previous Grade 5 Assessors):

  • 1 game from an affiliated Adult Amateur Level
  • 1 game from an affiliated youth division (U18 or U19) with 2 x 45-minute half

Note: 2 assessments on affiliated Adult division games may comply with this requirement
Safety & Compliance

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background Check
NOTES
  • For detailed Fitness Test information, click here.
  • SafeSport Training required of all Cal South referees 18 and older annually. Upon making registration payment, you will receive link to training.
  • Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.

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2022 National Referee Requirements
Enrollment Selected by U.S. National Referee Selection Committee
Previous Game Experience 100 games at the Adult Amateur Level:

  • Referee (50)
  • Assistant Referee (50)
Previous Experience
 Minimum of two (2) consecutive years as Regional Referee
Training Attend and successfully complete National Camp
USSF Registration Fee Paid through U.S. Soccer
Laws of the Game Online – National Test
Safety & Compliance
  • Safe & Healthy Playing Environments
  • SafeSport Training
  • National Background Check
Fitness test FIFA Fitness Test (Referee or Assistant Referee and Gender-Specific) Category 1
Practical Evaluation Minimum of three (3) passing National Evaluations as either Referee or Assistant Referee. Must be by three (3) different National Referee Coaches
NOTES
  • National Application done through US Soccer –  click here.
  • National AR Application done through US Soccer – click here.
  • Deadline – 9/10/2021 – Can only apply for one of the above.
  • Questions on how to apply for the 2022 National Licenses? Email referee@ussoccer.org with the subject line: “NATIONAL APPLICATION”.
2022 National Referee Re-Certification Requirements
Enrollment Selected by U.S. National Referee Selection Committee
Previous Game Experience 12 Games as a Referee or 12 Games as an Assistant Referee in Amateur Adult Games or higher level (professional or international)
Previous Experience
 Previous year as a National Official
Training Attend and successfully complete National Camp
USSF Registration Fee Paid through U.S. Soccer
Laws of the Game Online – National Test
Fitness test FIFA Fitness Test (Referee or Assistant Referee and Gender-Specific) Category 1
Practical Evaluation Minimum of three (3) passing National Evaluations as either Referee or Assistant Referee. Must be by three (3) different National Referee Coaches
NOTES
  • Returning National Officials do not complete application. They will receive separate instructions.

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2022 Emeritus Certification Requirements
Age
 Minimum 45 years of age
Previous Grade Experience Regional Referee grade (Previous State) and above for 3 years
Annual Training 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations or League*
USSF Registration Fee Cost TBD paid online
To register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Complete the Regional Online Test | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
2022 Emeritus Re-certification Requirements
Annual Training 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations*
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online
To register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Complete the Regional Online Test | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
NOTES
  • Per US Soccer: “The purpose of the Emeritus grades is to allow officials to retire from the game at the highest referee grade they attained when state level or higher. It may not be used to circumvent any registration, certification or recertification requirements mandated by U.S. Soccer or State Referee Association.”
  • The three years do not have to be consecutive or immediately preceding the request to Emeritus status.
  • Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.

CLICK HERE FOR PDF VIEW
2022 Certification Requirements
Minimum Age 13 years old
Training Online Course & In-Person Field Training
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $45 paid online.
To register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)		 For all, only need to complete once:

For those 18 and over, only need to complete once:

Need to complete annually:
 2022 Re-certification Requirements
Annual Training State 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations*
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $45 paid online.
To register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
NOTES
  • SafeSport Training required of all Cal South referees 18 and older annually.
  • Upon making registration payment you will receive link to training.
  • Concussion Training and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.

REGIONAL FUTSAL

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2022 Certification Requirements
Minimum age 18 years old
Training Online Course & In-Person Field Training
Experience Previous consecutive 3 years as Grassroots Futsal Referee
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online.
To register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test  Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)		 For all, only need to complete once:

For those 18 and over, only need to complete once:

Need to complete annually:
2022 Re-certification Requirements
Annual Training
(State)		 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online.
To register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
NOTES
  • SafeSport Training required of all Cal South referees 18 and older annually.
  • Upon making registration payment you will receive link to training.
  • Concussion Training and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.

The purpose of the Grade 8 Indoor Referee Course is to prepare officials for amateur indoor competitions at the youth and adult levels.

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2022 Certification Requirements
Minimum Age 13 years old
Training Online quiz & course
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $25 paid online.
Register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online quiz with a passing score of 80% – click here
Safety & Compliance[State & USSF] For all, only need to complete once:

For those 18 and over, only need to complete once:

Need to complete annually:
 2022 Re-certification Requirements
Annual Training State 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations*
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $25 paid online.
Register & pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Online quiz with a passing score of 80% – click here
Safety & Compliance[State & USSF]

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background Check
NOTES
  • SafeSport Training required of all Cal South referees 18 and older annually.
  • Upon making registration payment you will receive link to training.
  • Concussion Training and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.

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2022 Referee Assignor Certification Requirements
Recommendations Two (2) letters of recommendation:

One (1) from Association President
One (1) from another Assignor or League President
Previous Grade Experience Five (5) years of referee experience of any level.
Annual Training
 Attend new Assignor course.
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online.
To register and pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Regional Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
2022 Referee Assignor Re-Certification Requirements
Annual Training Attend one Assignor re-certification course.
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online.
To register and pay: click here
Laws of the Game Test Regional Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
NOTES
  • Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.

Referee Coaches/Instructors

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2022 Referee Mentor Certification Requirements
Age Minimum 18 years of age
Previous Grade Experience Regional Referee or above
Recommendations Two (2) letters of recommendation
Course Training Pass Mentor Course and Online Curriculum
Pass the Grassroots Referee Online Course in the LC
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online.
To register & pay: click here
Practical Evaluation Complete six development & guidance assessments on a full game. Self-option of one of the following:

  • Conduction Live Lecture
  • IP Field Training
  • Create In-Service training material
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
2022 Regional Referee Instructor Re-Certification Requirements
Annual Training
  • Five (5) In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations*
  • Participate in one (1) CORE training*
  • Attend two (2) SRC Re-certification Classes*
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 paid online
To register & pay: click here
Practical Evaluation Pass one (1) assessment in a referee clinic by a Regional Instructor
Laws of the Game Test Regional Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
NOTES
  • Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.
  • LC curriculum based on access granted to States by U.S. Soccer.

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2022 Mentor Certification Requirements
Age Minimum 18 years of age
Previous Grade Experience Two (2) years Regional Referee or above
Recommendations Two (2) letters of recommendation
Course Training
  • Pass Mentor Course and Online Curriculum
  • Pass the Grassroots Referee Online Course in the LC
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $60 paid online
To register & pay: click here
Practical Evaluation Complete six development & guidance assessments on a full game. Self-option of one of the following:

  • Conduction Live Lecture
  • IP Field Training
  • Create In-Service training material
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
2022 Regional Assessor Re-Certification Requirements
Annual Training Attend one (1) SRC re-certification course
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 (for Regional Assessor) paid online
To register & pay: click here
Practical Evaluation Regional – Complete minimum five (5) full referee evaluations
Laws of the Game Test Regional Online Quiz | Passing score is 80%
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check

NOTES

  • Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.
  • LC curriculum based on access granted to States by U.S. Soccer.
  • New Regional Coach requirements & curriculum TBD. 3–5 year transition from current level to new level.
  • Grassroots Assessor will need to attend Mentor Course.

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2022 Cal South Referee Coordinator Certification Requirements
Experience Current USSF Referee Mentor
Recommendations Two (2) letters of recommendation:

  • One (1) by local Referee Association Board Member
  • One (1) by an Instructor or Assessor
Course Training Attend course session
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $110 paid online
To register & pay: click here
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
2022 Cal South Referee Coordinator Re-certification Requirements
Experience Current USSF Referee Mentor
USSF Registration Fee Cost of $90 (for Regional Assessor) paid online
To register & pay: click here
Training Attend course session
Safety & Compliance
(State & USSF)

For those 18 and over:

  • SafeSport Training
  • Background check
NOTES
  • Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training required once only.
  • *State Trainings required for local game assignments.
  • This level is a Cal South State license with its own State Badge.