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USSF Upgrade and Assessments

The following is a list of requirements that are needed for upgrading. This has been taken directly from USSF Referee Administrative Handbook.

Criteria	Referee Class 2 Grade 8	Referee Class 1 Grade 7	State Referee 2 Grade 6	State Referee 1 Grade 5
Minimum Age	None	17	18	19
Experience (minimum cumulative career outdoor games at designated level) a. Game level to be counted for advancement b. Time in present grade	Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable	Referee: 75 Assistant Referee: 25 U.S. Soccer Federation Games 12 months as Referee Class 2	Referee: 100 Assistant Referee: 25 U-19 competitive leagues or higher level 12 months as Referee 1 prior to application	Referee: 150 Assistant Referee:50 Of the 150 games, a minimum of 50 must be on adult Division 1 league games 12 months as a State 2 prior to application
Training Course Requirements	Successfully complete USSF Entry Level Training Course	5 hours of USSF Intermediate Level Training	19 hours of State Referee Training	7 hours of In-Service State Referee Training
Written Examination*	75% minimum score on USSF Referee Exam	85% minimum score on USSF Referee Exam	75% minimum score on USSF State Referee Exam	85% minimum score on USSF State Referee Exam
Field Evaluation by currently registered USSF Assessor	Not required. It is recommended that each new referee be observed in one of his first 10 games.	Pass one evaluation as referee in an Under-19 or higher level game employing the DSC	Pass two field assessments as referee and one as assistant referee in Under-19 competitive league or higher.	Pass two field assessments as referee and one as assistant referee in top adult Division 1 leagues or higher.
Physical Fitness Test	Not Required	Required	Required	Required
Annual Renewal Requirements
In-Service Training	Five Hours during the preceding 12 months	Five hours during the preceding 12 months	Five hours during the preceding 12 months	Five hours during the preceding 12 months
Refresher Test	Required	Required	Required	Required
Physical Fitness Test	Not Required	Required	Required	Required
Field Assessment**	Not Required	Not Required	Required, if adopted by individual State.	One assessment as referee required.

*Persons failing the written examination may not take it again for at least 3 months and the entire examination must be retaken.
** One annual field assessment as referee in competitions at an appropriate level is required.
DSC = Diagonal System of Control
Notes and Comments: The criteria for certification of referees at these grades are divided into six categories: Age, Experience, Training, Written Examination, Field Evaluation, and Physical Fitness.
Registration and Upgrading: Registration, annual renewal, and requests for upgrading must be made through the appropriate State/Overseas Referee Administrator.
Upgrading: Referees must spend at least 12 months in each grade or class before making application to advance to the next grade or class. (National grade candidates must spend at least three years as a State 1 Referee).

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