Information for Soccer Referees provided by CNRA - District 4 Upgrading

General Requirements | Physical Fitness Requirements

The following information has been extracted from the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook and recent memoranda.

Referees who are registered with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) may upgrade to the next referee grade once they have satisfied specific requirements.

Upgrading requires:
* Minimum age
* Game experience at the appropriate level
* Time in present grade
* Training courses
* Written examination
* Assessments
* Physical Fitness Test

Because of the complexity of upgrading, it is strongly recommended that you contact and work with the District Referee Coordinator, District Director of Instruction and District Director of Assessment to ensure you satisfy all requirements.

Change of Grade During the Year
For a referee upgrading in a class (Grade 8 to 7 or from 6 to 5), there is a $5.00 administrative fee, payable to the U.S. Soccer Federation. For a referee who qualifies and wants to upgrade from Grade 7 to 6 during the year, the full fee for registering as Grade 6 would be applicable. In any case, it is critical that referees maintain current registration. Failure to maintain registration will result in the referee getting downgraded. Contact the District Referee Coordinator for more information.

After you have satisfied all requirements, gather photocopies of the required documentation. All materials must be mailed together to:

CNRA
PO Box 7416
Fremont, CA 94537-7416

Requests for upgrading that are incomplete will not be processed.

CRITERIA FOR UPGRADING
REFEREE GRADE 9 TO GRADE 8
1. Minimum Age: None
2. Experience (minimum cumulative career outdoor games at designated level): Not Applicable
a. Game level to be counted for advancement: Not Applicable
b. Time in present grade Not Applicable
3. Training Course Requirements Successfully complete USSF Recreational Referee Bridge Course
4. Written Examination: 75% minimum score on USSF Entry Level Exam
5. Field Evaluation by currently registered USSF Assessor: Not required. It is recommended that each new referee by observed in one of his first 10 games
6. Physical Fitness Test: Not Required

CRITERIA FOR UPGRADING
REFEREE GRADE 8 TO GRADE 7

1. Minimum Age: 17
2. Experience (minimum cumulative career outdoor games at designated level) Referee: 75; Assistant Referee: 25
a. Game level to be counted for advancement: USSF Games (DSC)
b. Time in present grade: 12 months as Grade 8 Referee
3. Training Course Requirements: Successfully 5 hours of USSF Intermediate Level Training
4. Written Examination: 85% minimum score on USSF Referee Exam
5. Field Evaluation by currently registered USSF Assessor: Pass one assessment as referee in an U-19 or higher level game employing the DSC
6. Physical Fitness Test: Required

CRITERIA FOR CERTIFYING and UPGRADING
REFEREE GRADE 7 TO GRADE 6

1. Minimum Age 18
2. Experience (minimum cumulative career outdoor games at designated level) Referee: 100; Assistant Referee: 25
a. Game level to be counted for advancement U-19 competitive leagues or higher level (using DSC)
b. Time in present grade: 12 months as Grade 7 Referee prior to application
3. Training Course Requirements: 19 hours of State Referee Training
4. Written Examination: 75% minimum score on USSF State Referee Exam
5. Field Evaluation by currently registered USSF Assessor: Pass two field assessments as a referee and one as an assistant referee in U-19 competitive league or higher (using DSC)
6. Physical Fitness Test: Required

CRITERIA FOR CERTIFYING and UPGRADING
REFEREE GRADE 6 TO GRADE 5

1. Minimum Age: 19
2. Experience (minimum cumulative career outdoor games at designated level): Referee: 150, Assistant Referee: 50
a. Game level to be counted for advancement: U-19 competitive leagues or higher level (using DSC). Of the 150 games, a minimum of 50 must be on adult Division 1 league games (using DSC)
b. Time in present grade: 12 months as Grade 6 prior to application
3. Training Course Requirements: 7 hours of In-Service State Referee Training
4. Written Examination: 85% minimum score on USSF State Referee Exam
5. Field Evaluation by currently registered USSF Assessor: Pass two field assessments as a referee and one as an assistant referee in top adult Division 1 leagues or higher (using DSC)
6. Physical Fitness Test: Required

NOTES
Note A, Retaking Exams (grades 9, 8, 7):
If a person does not pass the written examination, the entire examination must be retaken after a minimum waiting period of one month.

Note B, Retaking Exams (grades 6, 5):
If a person does not pass the written examination, the entire examination must be retaken after a minimum waiting period of three months.

Note C, Assessments:
For all referees, seeking an upgrade to the next referee level, the assessments, if required for upgrade, should be completed within a twelve-month time period. No more than two failing assessments can occur within that time period. If a candidate for upgrade fails two assessments in that 12-month period, the referee must start the upgrade procedure over for the next registration cycle, starting with zero assessments.

Return to Referee Home Page