The Cal South Referee Program administers the United States Soccer Federation referee license certification requirements. Once you are properly registered and approved by the State Referee Committee, you are a U.S. Soccer Federation Referee for the approved registration year and are licensed to independently service any U.S. Soccer National Member Organization (except AYSO).
All referee licenses are under independent contractor status. You may seek one or more local Assignors or Referee Associations to receive matches. Referee Associations are private entities in Southern California that provide referee coverage to tournaments and leagues for youth or adult soccer, and they directly decide working conditions for referees, with no oversight from U.S. Soccer or the Cal South Referee Program.
Per the U.S. Soccer Policy Manual, the State Referee Committee oversees all referee licenses, which must comply with the code of ethics, procedures, policies, and certification of the United States Soccer Federation. The Cal South Referee Program strives to actively recruit, properly certify, and advance referees for all U.S. Soccer National Member Organizations.
For any questions, reach out to refereeregistration@calsouth.com.
Referee Pathway
- Returning Referee – 2027
- Regional Referee Checklists (Evaluation Request Form) — Submit Regional Application here
- National Referee
- Emeritus Referee
- Futsal
- Regional Futsal
- Beach
- Referee Assignor
- Mentor
- Referee Coach
- National Referee Coach (administered through USSF)
Registration Periods
| Registration Year | Period Opens | Period Closes | Valid From | Valid To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | July 1, 2025 | June 14, 2026* | Date Approved | Dec 31, 2026 |
| 2027 | July 1, 2026 | June 14, 2027* | Date Approved | Dec 31, 2027 |
| 2028 | July 1, 2027 | June 14, 2028* | Date Approved | Dec 31, 2028 |
*Registration period close is strict, to allow Cal South enough time to process your registration with the U.S. Soccer Federation. Badges for the new registration period go out at the end of July and take a minimum of 7 business days to arrive.
State Referee Committee
