USSF Assessments and Upgrading
REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW
To become an advanced referee you must have the following game count recorded:
North Carolina State Referee - 25 Whistles and 15 AR'S on any U-15 or Higher Match
(All Matches for your match log MUST be 11v11 USSF Sanctioned full length matches. U15 and above with 40-minute halves.)
Regional Referee - 25 Whistles and 15 AR'S on adult amateur matches (some may be u18/19 matches)
(All Matches for your match log MUST be 11v11 USSF Sanctioned full length matches. U18/19/adult. 45 minute halves)
National Referee - 40 Games as the Referee and 25 as the Assistant Referee
- All games must be on the Adult Amateur level or Above
*All Games must be using the diagonal system of control (3 Man system)
National Official Re-Certification - 12 Games as a referee or 12 Games as an Assistant Referee in Amateur adult games or higher level (Professional or International)
Helpful pages with Upgrade and Advancement Information
Match Log - Game Count Reference - CRO Match Archives
Visit our NISOA advancement page for information about advancing as a NISOA Referee
Archived Matches from CRO Affiliated Leagues —> Match Archives
US Soccer - Ref Insight Assignment Platform Information
Set up instructions coming soon!
All US Soccer Affiliated leagues will be assigned in Ref Insight starting January 2026. This includes, but is not limited to: USL Academy, USL League 2, USL W League, National Premier Soccer League, WNT/YNT/MNT matches.
Evaluation INFORMATION
*Formally Called Assessments
To become an advanced referee you must pass the following number of assessments in one year based on the US Soccer Calendar. Assessments should be used for the following certification year, not a mid year upgrade.
North Carolina State Referee - 1 passing assessment on any U-15 or higher match by an approved Referee Mentor+ or any Ref Coach.
Regional Referee - 3 passing assessments. 1 can be a U18/19 match. 2 must be adult armature matches. Must be 3 different Ref Coaches.
Regional Referee Re-Certification - 2 passing assessments. 1 can be a U18/19 match. 1 must be adult amateur matches. Must be 2 different Ref Coaches.
National Official - Pass three formal assessments in the chosen track (Referee or Assistant Referee) by three different National Referee Coaches
National Official Re-Certification - Pass three formal assessments in the chosen track (Referee or Assistant Referee) by three different National Referee Coaches
FITNESS TESTING INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Fitness Test Required for each Referee grade
Grassroots Referee - No Fitness Test Required
North Carolina State Referee - Women’s Cat 3 and 7.00 second sprints PFT
Regional Referee
Women’s FIFA Referee Fitness - Repeated Sprint Ability, 6.4 Secs & Interval Test 17 Secs Sprint / 20 Secs Recovery
Men’s FIFA Referee Fitness Test - Repeated Sprint Ability, 6.0 Secs & Interval Test 15 Secs Sprint / 18 Secs Recovery
National Referee - Track and Gender Specific Fitness Test
FIFA Referee Fitness Test - Male Category 1 and Female Category 1
FIFA Assistant Referee Fitness Test - Male Category 2 and Female Category 2
CRO Recommends taking 2-3 Fitness Tests each year. The first one is for your minimum standard and, once passed, we feel referees should train for and attempt the men’s FIFA referee fitness test (15/18).
FIFA Fitness Test Details & Layout
Fitness Test Youtube Videos (Also listed below)
This Table will provide the Fitness Test required for LAC and PRO to assign an individual to a match at the professional / amateur professional level per league.
League Male Requirements Female Requirements
NPSL Women’s Category 1 Women’s Category 1
USL 2 / WPSL Women’s Category 1 Women’s Category 1
USL 1 Men’s Category 1 Women’s Category 1
USLC Men’s Category 1 Men’s Category 1
NWSL Men’s Category 1 Women’s Category 1