Grassroots Referee
US Soccer has combined the old ‘number’ grade level designation into Grassroots, Regional and National referees. Levels 9, 8 & 7 have been re-classified as Grassroots Referee.
Prospective Regional Referee
Grassroots referees who are interested in pursuing higher levels of game assignments and looking towards a Regional Referee badge are encouraged to attend the advanced re-certification clinic and prepare to run the fitness test. There is also an evaluation and/or mentoring requirement.
Referee Upgrade and Grade Retention
- Minimum requirements for Upgrade and Retention Evaluations are set forth in the S. Soccer Federation Referee Program – Referee Certification Requirements, and WisRef requirements, as follows:
- All Referees are required to complete WisRef annual instruction or training.
- All Grassroots Referees GR-7s and all Regional Referees are required to complete a WisRef annual Advanced Recertification course.
- All Regional Referees are required to pass the FIFA Repeated Sprint Ability and Interval Tests as outlined in the USSF Referee Certification or Re-Certification Requirements.
- To upgrade to Grassroots Referee GR- 7, the Referee must successfully complete one field Evaluation on a competitive match as a Referee, with recommended game level of U17 or higher.
- To upgrade to Regional Referee, the Referee must have three passing Evaluations as a Referee. At least two of the Evaluations must be on an adult amateur games, with the other being on a U18-19 or above game.
- To maintain a Regional Referee Level, a Referee must have two passing Evaluations as a Referee, with a minimum one of the assessed games being on an adult amateur game.
- National Candidates will be selected and managed by USSF.
- Emeritus Referees must attend an annual recertification course, and it is recommended that Emeritus Referees attend an Advanced Recertification course.
- Referees who wish to upgrade to Regional Referee are required to submit to the Panel a “portfolio” of their body of work by November 1st of the calendar year prior to the year they would like to be upgraded (i.e. submit portfolio by November 1st of the current year to be upgraded for the next registration year). The Panel will determine and publish the portfolio submission format (i.e. electronic document and email address or web form). A portfolio will consist of the following:
- Game and Event Records: Individual game list along with date, location, teams, age league or competition, as well as the position of the Referee (Referee, Assistant Referee or 4th Official) and Events (tournaments or other sponsored events that the Referee officiated at).
- Evaluations List: List of any Evaluations which were completed by an approved Assessor as well as any mentoring done by any other USSF Assessor with written & verbal feedback session which can be verified by the SDA and the USSF Assessor. Include the date, game details and Assessor name.
- Additional Information: List of any additional information relevant to the Referee’s accomplishments during the calendar year. Include instruction, assessing, mentoring roles, and administrative duties.
- The Panel will meet at least annually to review all submitted portfolios and confirm whether the individual has exhibited the knowledge, skills and attitude to maintain or upgrade to the desired level. The Panel will notify all who have submitted proper portfolios, of the Panel’s confirmation before the individual is registered with USSF for the next registration cycle.
Upgrade to Regional Referee – Additional Information
The following requirements must be completed in the same calendar as the requested upgrade:
- US Soccer Regional Referee Upgrade Course completion
- Attendance at an annual WisRef advanced re-certification course
- Written Test, Regional Referee Exam with passing score
- Field test with passing times and distances
- Three passing Evaluations as a Referee
- At least two of the Evaluations must be on an adult amateur game
- The other may be on a U18-19 or above game.
- Request upgrade Evaluations prior to the game
- Evaluations must be done by three DIFFERENT referee coaches.
- Assessments need to be submitted to US SOCCER in pdf form/
- Game experience of 25 games as Referee and 15 as Assistant Referee at the adult amateur level
A referee may be able to obtain a U18-19 Evaluation at State Championships or Presidents Cup Competitions however should not expect the higher level games the first or second year of officiating at the Cup competitions.
We can possibly help you to coordinate Evaluations with others that wish to upgrade, so you can fashion a 3-person crew, all on the same set of games. This would require an effort on your part to work with the other Referees, the Assignor and the SDA.
Please be advised that when a referee goes for an upgrade Evaluation, they either pass the Evaluation, or fail it. Failed Evaluations do not count in the upgrade process, and do not need to be replaced.
The Regional Referee upgrade process can be time consuming and cost money, and the process is not to be undertaken lightly.
Once a Referee passes the three Evaluations as required and completes the registration/course process, their criteria for upgrade will be reviewed by the Wisconsin Program for Referee Development Selection Panel, for confirmation on the upgrade request.
| US Soccer Regional Referee License Certification (Upgrade to Regional)Subject to WisRef Referee Evaluation/Upgrade Criteria | |
| Age | 18 and older |
| Game Experience | 25 games as Referee and 15 as Assistant Referee at the adult amateur level |
| Previous Certification Experience | Minimum of three consecutive years as Licensed Grassroots Referee |
| Fitness Test | Sprints 6×40Interval Test – FIFA Women’s Referee Test, Male – Category 1, Female – Category 3 |
| Practical Evaluation | Three passing evaluations as a Referee (by a DIFFERENT Regional Referee Coach or a National Referee Coach ), at least two at the adult amateur level, and a third may be on a U18-19 (2×45) game |
Regional Referee Retention – Additional Information
Once Regional Referee status is obtained, the following must be performed annually to maintain the Regional Referee level:
- Attendance at an annual WisRef advanced re-certification course
- Written Test, Regional Referee Exam with passing score
- Field test with passing times and distances
- Two passing Evaluations as a Referee
- At least one of the Evaluations must be on an adult amateur game
- The other may be on a U18-19 or above game.
- Request Evaluations prior to the game
- Beginning in 2025: Retention also requires a referee to officiate 5 adult games in Wisconsin
| US Soccer Regional Referee License Re-Certification (Regional Retention)Subject to WisRef Referee Evaluation/Retention Criteria | |
| Fitness Test | Sprints 6×40Interval Test – FIFA Women’s Referee Test, Male – Category 1, Female – Category 3 |
| Practical Evaluation | Two passing evaluations (by a Regional Referee Coach or a National Referee Coach )as a Referee, at least one at the adult amateur level, and a second may be on a U18-19 (2×45) game |
Should you need further information, please contact Dave Irwin ([email protected]) State Director of Assessment, Thomas Mesalk ([email protected]) WisRef Registrar, or Sue Walter ([email protected]) State Director of Assignment.