U. S. Soccer has redefined various roles such as Referee Grade, Instructor Grade, etc. and the Certification, Recertification and as appropriate -
Upgrade requirements for these roles. In some roles / grades the State Referee Committee can implement requirements in excess of those set as minimums
by U.S. Soccer. Additionally, in the area of Training, the State Referee Committee can always have higher requirements than those from U.S. Soccer.
Below are the current Referee minimum requirements compared to those issued by U.S. Soccer.
Starting with Badge Year 2020, US Soccer has made significant changes to referee “Grades”. US Soccer has collapsed all referee Grades 9, 8 and 7 into “Grassroots”.
Starting with 2020 certification or recertification, all these abandoned grades will be reported to US Soccer as Grassroots only.
Additionally, US Soccer has collapsed all referee Grades 6 & 5 into “Regional”. Starting with 2020 certification or recertification, all these abandoned grades will
be reported to US Soccer as Regional only.
Please note: Events not sponsored or formally sanctioned by the State Referee Committee will not be considered as contributing to the
Certification, Recertification and Upgrade process. No exceptions to this policy will be considered.
Please note: For those Washington registered referees who were previously referee Grade 7, you will now be registered in WA only as Grassroots Advanced. This registration
category is copied to the WA Arbiter 360 account and available to other assigning systems interfacing with www.WAReferees.org.
Additionally, the process & requirements to upgrade (in WA only) to Grassroots Advanced remain unchanged.
Please note: For those Washington registered referees who were previously referee Grade 5, you will now be registered in WA only as Regional Advanced. This registration
category is copied to the WA Arbiter 360 account and available to other assigning systems interfacing with www.WAReferees.org.
Additionally, the process & requirements to maintain or upgrade (in WA Regional).
Please note:
Certification Requirements | ||
USSF Description |
Officiates grassroots games (youth and adult competitions) in small-sided 7v7, 9v9, and/or 11v11 outdoor fields. Works primarily with Grassroots Referees
(new or experienced). Facilitates games for grassroots players (youth and adult). Collaborates with coaches with diverse backgrounds (new and experienced
coaches, volunteers, etc.) to ensure player safety and responsible spectator behavior. 2019-20 USSF Grassroots Referee Profile |
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Grassroots Certification Requirements (New Referee) | ||
Criteria | WASRC | USSF |
Age | Same | USSF requires Age 13 at time of registration |
Enrollment | Course Registration via WA system | Course Registration |
Previous Game Experience | None | NA |
Previous Certification | None | NA |
Training | On-Line and On-Field Experience via WA system | On-Line and On-Field Experience | Safety and Compliance | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check (18 yrs. and older) via WA system | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check (18 yrs. and older) |
Laws of the Game Quiz | On-line - Grassroots Quiz via WA system | On-line - Grassroots Quiz |
Fitness Test | Same |
Not Required for Certification May be Required for High End Tournaments (e.g. State Cup, Regionals) |
Practical Evaluation | None | Not Applicable |
Grassroots Re-Certification Rquirements (Returning Referee) | ||
Enrollment | Course Registration via WA system | Course Registration |
Training | On-Line via WA system | On-Line |
Safety and Compliance | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check (18 yrs. and older) via WA system | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check (18 yrs. and older) |
Laws of the Game Quiz | On-line - Grassroots Quiz via WA system | On-line - Grassroots Quiz |
Fitness Test | Same |
Not Required for Re-Certification May be Required for High End Tournaments (e.g. State Cup, Regionals) |
Practical Evaluation | None | Not Applicable |
Grassroots Advanced Certification Requirements (Upgrade) | ||
Criteria | WASRC | USSF |
Age | 18 years old or older | Not recognized by USSF |
Previous Game Experience | Classroom priority will be given to those with verifiable adult game experience | Not recognized by USSF |
Previous Grade Experience | Grassroots Referee | Not recognized by USSF |
Training | Complete the Online Adult Lessons and a Classroom (~5 hour) Adult Upgrade Course | Not recognized by USSF |
Grassroots Advanced Re-Certification Requirements (Returning Referee) | ||
Age | 18 years old or older | Not Applicable |
Enrollment | Course Registration via WA system | Course Registration |
Training | On-Line via WA system | On-Line |
Safety and Compliance | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check via WA system | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check |
Laws of the Game Quiz | On-line - Grassroots Quiz via WA system | On-line - Grassroots Quiz |
Fitness Test | Same |
Not Required for Re-Certification May be Required for High End Tournaments (e.g. State Cup, Regionals) |
Practical Evaluation | None | Not Applicable |
USSF Description |
Actively lead the referee team in a pre-game conference and in conducting pre-game inspections (the field of play, the game ball, and the player’s equipment).
Actively participate with the referee team in checking the rosters and checking-in players and coaches. Connect with coaches & players via check-in, pre-game
conference, and/or coin toss. Actively participate with the referee team in a group and individual warmup prior to the game. 2019-20 USSF Regional Referee Profile |
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Regional Certification Requirements (Upgrade) | ||
Criteria | WASRC | USSF |
Personal Conduct | Regional referee candidates must be in good standing with the SRC concerning USSF and SRC expected conduct and ethics on the field, off the field, in public and in all forms of communication. | None |
Age | Same | Minimum of 18 years old |
Enrollment | Course Registration via WA system | Course Registration |
Previous Game Experience | Same (“full time” games (US Soccer Affiliated), plus at least a Referee and two AR team) | 50 Games as a Referee and 25 Games as an Assistant Referee at Local Adult Amateur Level |
Previous Certification | Minimum of Three (3) Consecutive Years as a Grassroots Referee including a Minimum of One (1) Year as a WA Grassroots Advanced Referee | Minimum of Three (3) Consecutive Years as a Grassroots Referee |
Training | Regional Referee Course and On-Field Experience via WA System (includes On-Line) | Regional Referee Course and On-Field Experience |
Safety and Compliance | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check via WA system | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check |
Laws of the Game Quiz | On-Line - Regional Quiz via WA system | On-Line - Regional Quiz |
Fitness Test | Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women's Referee Test) Male - Category 1 / Female - Category 3. Note: WA will be phasing out the “college” fitness test for 45+ | Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women's Referee Test) Male - Category 1 / Female - Category 3 |
Practical Evaluation |
Same as USSF. Note: “as a Referee” means no Assistant Referee Evaluations. Contact WA’s SDA for what qualifies as “at Highest Youth (U18 or U19)” |
Minimum of 3 Passing Evaluations as a Referee 2 at Adult Amateur Level & 1 at Highest Youth (U18 or U19) - 2 x 45 minute half Evaluations Must Be Done by 3 Different Referee Coaches |
SDA Notes |
*** Note *** A passing fitness result in the last 12 months is required prior to requesting Upgrade Assessment *** Note *** “Pass” means both at the field and following SDA review.
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Regional Re-Certification Requirements (Returning Referee) | ||
Personal Conduct | Regional referee candidates must be in good standing with the SRC concerning USSF and SRC expected conduct and ethics on the field, off the field, in public and in all forms of communication | None |
Age | Same | Minimum of 18 years old |
Enrollment | Course Registration via WA system | Course Registration |
Training | Regional Referee Course and On-field Experience via WA system (includes On-Line) | Regional Referee Course and On-field Experience |
Safety and Compliance | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check via WA system | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check |
Laws of the Game Quiz | On-line – Regional Quiz via WA system | On-line – Regional Quiz |
Fitness Test | Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women's Referee Test) Male - Category 1 / Female - Category 3. Note: WA will be phasing out the “college” fitness test for 45+ | Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women's Referee Test) Male - Category 1 / Female - Category 3 |
Practical Evaluation |
Same as USSF. Note: “as a Referee” means no Assistant Referee Evaluations. Contact WA’s SDA for what qualifies as “at Highest Youth (U18 or U19)” |
Two (2) Passing Evaluations as a Referee. One at the Adult Amateur Level One at the Highest Youth Level (U18 or U19) 2 x 45 minute half Evaluations Must Be Done by 2 Different Referee Coaches |
SDA Notes |
*** Note *** A passing fitness result in the last 12 months is required prior to requesting Upgrade Assessment *** Note *** “Pass” means both at the field and following SDA review.
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Regional Advanced Certification Requirements (Upgrade) | ||
Criteria | WASRC | USSF |
Personal Conduct | State referee candidates must be in good standing with the SRC concerning USSF and SRC expected conduct and ethics on the field, off the field, in public and in all forms of communication. | Not Recognized by USSF |
Upgrade Review | Upon apparent completion of all upgrade requirements, the upgrade request is reviewed by members of the WASRC. Should the review members have specific concerns of any kind, these concerns will have to be resolved before the upgrade is granted / recognized by the WASRC | Not Recognized by USSF |
Previous Game Experience |
50 Adult Division 1 or above Games (US Soccer Affiliated) as a Referee AND 25 Adult Division 1 or above Games (US Soccer Affiliated) as an Assistant Referee (“full time” games, plus at least a Referee and two AR team) |
Not Recognized by USSF |
Previous Certification | Minimum of 1 year as a State/Regional or above Referee | Not Recognized by USSF |
Training | Complete the Online Regional Referee Course only through links on this website, plus attend the Grassroots Advanced to Regional Upgrade Course OR be a Presenter at the Grassroots Advanced to Regional Upgrade Clinic | Not Recognized by USSF |
Safety and Compliance | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check via WA system | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check |
Laws of the Game Quiz | On-line – Regional Quiz via WA system | On-line – Regional Quiz |
Fitness Test | Same | Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women's Referee Test) Male - Category 1 / Female - Category 3 |
Practical Evaluation |
Same as USSF. Note: “as a Referee” means no Assistant Referee Evaluations. Contact WA’s SDA for what qualifies as “at Highest Youth (U18 or U19)” |
Two (2) Passing Evaluations as a Referee. One at the Adult Amateur Level. One at the Highest Youth Level (U18 or U19) 2 x 45 minute half Evaluations Must Be Done by 2 Different National Referee Coaches |
SDA Notes |
*** Note *** A passing fitness result in the last 12 months is required prior to requesting Upgrade Assessment *** Note *** “Pass” means both at the field and following SDA review.
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Regional Advanced Re-Certification Requirements (Returning Referee) | ||
Personal Conduct | Recertifying Regional Advanced referees must be in good standing with the SRC concerning USSF and SRC expected conduct and ethics on the field, off the field, in public and in all forms of communication | Not Recognized by USSF |
Recertification Review | Upon apparent completion of all recertification requirements, the upgrade request is reviewed by members of the WASRC. Should the review members have specific concerns of any kind, these concerns will have to be resolved before the upgrade is granted / recognized by the WASRC | Not Recognized by USSF |
Training |
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Not Recognized by USSF |
Safety and Compliance | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check via WA system | SafeSport Trained, Safe Soccer Training and Background Check |
Laws of the Game Quiz | On-line – Regional Quiz via WA system | On-line – Regional Quiz |
Fitness Test | Same | Sprint/Interval Test (FIFA Women's Referee Test) Male - Category 1 / Female - Category 3 |
Practical Evaluation |
Same as USSF. Note: “as a Referee” means no Assistant Referee Evaluations. Contact WA’s SDA for what qualifies as “at Highest Youth (U18 or U19)” |
Two (2) Passing Evaluations as a Referee. One at the Adult Amateur Level. One at the Highest Youth Level (U18 or U19) 2 x 45 minute half Evaluations Must Be Done by 2 Different National Referee Coaches |
SDA Notes |
*** Note *** A passing fitness result in the last 12 months is required prior to requesting Upgrade Assessment *** Note *** “Pass” means both at the field and following SDA review.
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Categories | Any referee who has not registered for the next calendar year with the U.S. Soccer Federation through the Washington State Referee Committee (WASRC) before January 01 is considered: |
Late |
On January 1, are registered for the previous calendar year but have NOT recertified for the current calendar year, that is – are recertifying AFTER December 31.
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Lapsed |
On July 1, are NOT registered for the previous calendar year.
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Process - Late |
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Process - Lapsed 1-2 Years |
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Process - Lapsed 3+ Years |
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