MAINTENANCE & UPGRADE REQUIREMENTS
REGISTRATION YEAR | REGISTRATION PERIOD OPENS | REGISTRATION PERIOD CLOSES | CERTIFICATION VALID FROM | CERTIFICATION VALID TO |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | July 1, 2017 | June 14, 2018* | Date Approved | Dec 31, 2018 |
2019 | July 1, 2018 | June 14, 2019* | Date Approved | Dec 31, 2019 |
2020 | July 1, 2019 | June 14, 2020* | Date Approved | Dec 31, 2020 |
2021 | July 1, 2020 | June 14, 2021* | Date Approved | Dec 31, 2021 |
* Registration Period Close is strict to allow Cal South enough time to process your registration with the US Soccer Federation.
Cal South Certification, Re-Certification (Maintenance)
and Upgrading Requirements
Referee Officials

New Certification Requirements | |
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Minimum Age | 13 years old |
Training | Online course & In-Person Field Training |
USSF Registration Fee | Register & pay by clicking here |
Laws of the Game Test | Online through US Soccer Learning Center |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Re-certification Requirements | |
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Annual Training State | 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations |
USSF Registration Fee | Register & pay by clicking here. |
Laws of the Game Test | Online recertification quiz (Examen en español) |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Cal South Elite Referee (New Cal South License!)

Certification Requirements | |
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Minimum age | 16 years old |
Min. Experience | One year Grassroots Referee or higher |
Training | 5 In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations Attending 5 CORE trainings |
USSF Registration Fee | Register & pay by clicking here. |
Practical Evaluation | 1 Development & Guidance Assessment as center within a minimum of 11v11 competitive match |
Fitness Test | Pass fitness test. Run time requirements TBD |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |

Regional Referee Upgrade Requirements | |
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Age | Minimum 18 Years of Age |
Previous Certification | Minimum of three consecutive years as a Grassroots Referee |
Previous Game Experience Submitted via application |
Cal South Affiliated League Games for the previous two years:
|
Annual Training |
|
USSF Registration Fee | Register & pay by clicking here |
Laws of the Game | Pass the Regional Referee Quiz online clicking here. Passing score is 80% |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Fitness test | Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women’s Referee Test) Male – Category 1/ Female – Category 3
|
Practical Evaluation | Three passing assessments as a Referee by 3 different Referee Coaches (Previous Grade 5 Assessors):
3 assessments on affiliated Adult division games may comply with this requirement |

Certification Requirements | |
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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: Register & pay by clicking here |
Laws of the Game Test | Complete the Regional Online Test with a passing score of 80% located here. |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
The purpose of the Grade 8 Futsal Referee Course is to prepare officials for amateur futsal competitions at the youth and adult levels.
The purpose of the Grade 8 Indoor Referee Course is to prepare officials for amateur indoor competitions at the youth and adult levels.


Referee Mentor Certification Requirements (Previous Grassroots Assesor/Instructor) | |
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Age | Minimum 18 years of age |
Previous Grade Experience | Any Referee level Preferred Regional Referee or above |
Application | Click here |
Recommendations | Two letters of recommendation |
Course Training | Pass Mentor Course and Online Curriculum Pass the Grassroots Referee Online Course |
USSF Registration Fee | Cost of $60 paid online: Register & pay by clicking here. |
US Soccer In-Person Meeting Assignments | One (1) leading a video analysis session One (1) leading a practical exercise One (1) observing the performance of match officials |
Practical Evaluation | Complete six development & guidance assessments on a full game |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Referee Mentor Certification Requirements (Previous Grassroots Instructor) | |
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Course Training | Pass Mentor Course and Online Curriculum Pass the Grassroots Referee Online Course |
USSF Registration Fee | Cost of $60 paid online: Register & pay by clicking here. |
US Soccer In-Person Meeting Assignments | One (1) leading a video analysis session One (1) leading a practical exercise One (1) observing the performance of match officials |
Practical Evaluation | Complete six development & guidance assessments on a full game |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Regional Referee Instructor Re-Certification Requirements | |
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Training | Pass the Regional Recert Instructor Course Five (5) In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations Participate in one CORE training |
USSF Registration Fee | $90 for Regional Instructor paid online Register & pay by clicking here. |
Practical Evaluation | Pass one assessment in a referee clinic by a Regional Instructor |
Laws of the Game Test | Complete the Regional Online Test with a passing score of 80% located here. |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |

Referee Mentor Certification Requirements – (Previous Grassroots Assessor/Instructor) | |
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Age | Minimum 18 years of age |
Previous Grade Experience | Any Referee level Preferred Regional Referee or above |
Application | Click here |
Recommendations | Two letters of recommendation |
Course Training | Pass Mentor Course and Online Curriculum Pass the Grassroots Referee Online Course |
USSF Registration Fee | Cost of $60 paid online: Register & pay by clicking here. |
US Soccer In-Person Meeting Assignments | One (1) leading a video analysis session One (1) leading a practical exercise One (1) observing the performance of match officials |
Practical Evaluation | Complete six development & guidance assessments on a full game |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Referee Mentor Certification Requirements – (Previous Grassroots Assessor) | |
---|---|
Age | Minimum 18 years of age |
Previous Grade Experience | Any Referee level Preferred Regional Referee or above |
Course Training | Pass Mentor Course and Online Curriculum Pass the Grassroots Referee Online Course |
USSF Registration Fee | Cost of $60 paid online: Register & pay by clicking here. |
US Soccer In-Person Meeting Assignments | One (1) leading a video analysis session One (1) leading a practical exercise One (1) observing the performance of match officials |
Practical Evaluation | Complete six development & guidance assessments on a full game |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Regional Referee Assessor Re-Certification Requirements | |
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Annual Training | Five (5) In-Service Hours offered by local Referee Associations* Participate in one CORE training* Attend 1 SRC Recertification class* |
USSF Registration Fee | $90 Regional Assessor paid online. Register & pay by clicking here. |
Practical Evaluation | Regional – Complete minimum five full referee evaluations |
Laws of the Game Test | Complete the Regional Online Test with a passing score of 80% located here. |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |

Referee Coordinator Certification Requirements | |
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Experience | Current USSF Referee Mentor |
Recommendations | Two letters of recommendation (One by local referee association board member, another by an Instructor or Assessor) |
Course Training | Attend two five-hour courses |
USSF Registration Fee | Register & pay by clicking here. |
Safety & Compliance | Concussion Training | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training For those 18 and over – SafeSport Training & background check (Instructions) |
Submit Upgrade/Emeritus Applications forms to: refereeregistration@calsouth.com
Incomplete or missing Upgrade/Emeritus Applications will not be processed and will delay your process.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In your email please include the information of assessment (Dates of Assessment, Assessor, Upgrade/Maintenance)