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) |
Not Applicable |
Referee: 75 |
Referee: 100 |
Referee: 150 | ||
|
a. Game level to be counted for advancement |
Not Applicable |
U.S. Soccer Federation Games |
U-19 competitive leagues or higher level |
Of the 150 games, a minimum of 50 must be on adult Division 1 league games | ||
|
b. Time in present grade |
Not Applicable |
12 months as Referee Class 2 |
12 months as Referee 1 prior to application |
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 |
Pass one evaluation as referee in an Under-19 or higher level game employing the DSC every 2 years minimum. |
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).
