USSF Assessments and Upgrading
How to become and advanced USSF Referee
USSF Referee Pathway Requirements
GAME COUNT REFERENCE
To become an advanced referee you must have the following game count recorded:
North Carolina State Referee - 50 Games as Center Referee on U17 or Above
Regional Referee - 25 games as a Center Referee and 15 as an Assistant Referee
- All games must be on the Adult Amateur level or Above
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)
ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
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 - Pass one formal assessment on an 80 minute U15 or higher match
Regional Referee - Pass three formal assessments, two on Adult Amateur or above and one on U18/19 Youth.
Regional Referee Re-Certification - must pass two formal assessments by two different referee coaches. One must be an Adult Amateur or above and one on U18/19 Youth.
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
Helpful pages with Upgrade and Advancement Information
NCSRA How to Become an Advanced Grade Referee
NCSRA Upgrade Requirements and Assessment Procedures
NCSRA Grade Descriptions and Details
USSF Administrative Resources
US Soccer Instruction Resources
Visit our NISOA advancement page for information about advancing as a NISOA Referee
Archived Matches from CRO Affiliated Leagues —> Match Archives
US Soccer Demosphere Information
US Soccer Demosphere Link - Save this link!
All US Soccer Affiliated leagues will be assigned in Demosphere starting January 2023. This includes, but is not limited to: USL Academy, USL League 2, USL W League, National Premier Soccer League, WNT/YNT/MNT matches.
FITNESS TESTING INFORMATION
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).
FITNESS TEST RECOURSES
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