REFEREE GRADES

 


 
To provide uniform standards for soccer referees in the United States, the National Referee committee has adopted ten referee grades. These grades supersede all grades which have previously been adopted by state associations and leagues so that uniform and comparative grading exists throughout the United States.

10 - United States Soccer Federation Assistant Referee

  • Minimum Age: None
  • Badge: USSF Linesman
  • Recommended Assignment Level: Youth games as Assistant Referee only

9 - United States Soccer Federation Associate Referee

  • Minimum Age: None
  • Badge: USSF Associate Referee, with current year
  • Recommended Assignment Level: Small sided games

8 - United States Soccer Federation Referee Class 2

  • Minimum Age: None
  • Badge: USSF Referee, with current year
  • Recommended Assignment Level : All youth games, assistant referee in comparable games.

7 - United States Soccer Federation Referee Class 1

  • Minimum Age: 17
  • Badge: USSF Referee, with current year
  • Recommended Assignment Level : All youth games and mixed leagues, assistant referee in amateur games below the top division.

6 - United States Soccer Federation State Referee Class 1

  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Badge: USSF State Referee, with current year
  • Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and amateur games through second division and assistant referee in the top amateur division and amateur cup games.

5 - United States Soccer Federation State Referee Class 2

  • Minimum Age: 19
  • Badge: USSF State Referee, with current year
  • Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and amateur games including first division and assistant referee in professional and international cup games.

4 - United States Soccer Federation National Referee

  • Minimum Age: 25
  • Badge: USSF National Referee, with current year
  • Recommended Assignment Level: All games except formal FIFA international matches. Assistant referee for international matches.

3 - United States Soccer Federation National Referee (International panel Candidate)

  • Minimum Age: 26
  • Badge: USSF National Referee, with current year
  • Recommended Assignment Level: All games except formal FIFA international matches.

2 - United States Soccer Federation International Assistant Referee

  • Minimum Age: 26
  • Badge: FIFA Linesman, with current year on international matches *
  • Recommended Assignment Level: All games
  • US Citizenship required by USSF Rule 3039.

1 - United States Soccer Federation International Referee

  • Minimum Age: 26
  • Badge: FIFA
  • Recommended Assignment Level: All games
  • US Citizenship required by USSF Rule 3039.
  • The United Soccer Federation grade and title of an official will be determined solely by standards and examinations issued by the National Referee Committee. Annual re-examination is required.
  • A referee must officiate at the next higher level to accumulate experience to be certified competent at that level. Assignors must exercise care to increase the difficulty level of the game assignments in a gradual and orderly manner for the good of the official and of the players.

* International assistant referees must wear the USSF National Referee badge when assigned as a referee in all matches.