USSF Referee Pathway

A guide to the progression and advancement opportunities available for Referees in the United States. You can advance from Referee to Regional Referee. From there, you must choose a track (Referee or Assistant Referee) if you want to try to advance to National or higher grades. The opportunity is there for officials with the skill, dedication, and athleticism to referee at the highest levels of the game.

  • Grassroots Referee

    A referee’s journey begins at the Grassroots level. U.S. Soccer Grassroots Referees are qualified to officiate competitive, small-sided or recreational youth matches and amateur adult matches.


    The U.S. Soccer Grassroots License has both an online and in-person component. Grassroots Referees will register for courses and be certified through State Referee Committees.


    GRASSROOTS REFEREE REQUIREMENTS


    GRASSROOTS REFEREE RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS


    2021 GRASSROOTS REFEREE RECERT INSTRUCTIONS

  • Regional Referee

    U.S. Soccer Regional Referees are qualified to officiate competitive state competitions, regional events and professional leagues including NPSL and USL League Two.


    Regional Referees will register for courses and be certified through State Referee Committees.


    REGIONAL REFEREE REQUIREMENTS


    REGIONAL REFEREE RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS


    FITNESS TEST STANDARDS


  • National Referee & National Referee Assistant

    (FORMERLY GRADES 4 AND 3) U.S. Soccer National Referees and Assistant Referees are qualified to officiate national and professional matches in any league except MLS. This includes the USL Championship and NWSL.


    National Referees and Assistant Referees are selected and certified directly by U.S. Soccer.


    NATIONAL REFEREE REQUIREMENTS


    NATIONAL ASSISTANT REFEREE REQUIREMENTS

  • Professional Referee

    P.R.O. Referees and Assistant Referees are qualified to officiate matches in any domestic competition, including MLS, as well as certain international matches.


    P.R.O. is an independent company, supported by U.S. Soccer, that administers professional referee programs in North America. Candidates are selected by P.R.O. based on performance at the National Referee and Assistant Referee level.


    P.R.O. website

  • FIFA Referee

    FIFA Referees and Assistant Referees are qualified to officiate international matches at the highest level, including FIFA World Cup competitions.


    This elite group of referees and assistant referees is recommended by the National Referee Committee, nominated by U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors and approved by FIFA.


    FIFA REFEREE PROGRAM