The membership base of USASA continues to grow. As the player base is built, so much more is the need for referees. After all, the whistle can't blow if there isn't a referee behind it.

Referees come in all shapes and sizes, genders, ethnic groups, and economic tax levels. But the one thing that every referee has in common is their passion for, and knowledge of the game of soccer.

Becoming a referee is fairly simple. Becoming a great referee takes hard work and dedication to the game. For referees that are willing to go the extra mile and work hard enough they can eventually become a national referee, a FIFA linesman, or a FIFA referee - but those kinds of referees are few and far between.

The United States Soccer Federation National Program for Referee Development has developed a series of instructional manuals and other material for the certification and training of referees. All material follows a consistent approach to teaching and the use of educational terminology. The current status of available instructional material is summarized below: In addition to the training course material, various video tapes, overhead presentations and field exercises are available as supplemental material. Nearly all training material is available to instructors through email or is downloadable from the USSF website: Click here to go to the USSF Referee website

Becoming a USSF Referee (grade 8): A person must attend a 15 hour entry level referee clinic and two hours of outdoor training. At the end of the clinic, the candidate must pass a written test. The candidate is then registered as a Grade 8 official and is given the USSF badge. The fees for registration is set for USSF. The clinics are scheduled by leagues, local referee associations or clubs.To find out when the next referee clinics will be given in your area, contact your State Referee Administrator.

Yearly Registration Renewal: All referees are required to take five hours of in-service training, a written test and assessment (depending on the grade) each year.

To become a National Referee: All grade 5 referees seeking to upgrade to the National Level must do the following:

Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.

Announce candidacy by December of the year prior to being accepted as a National Referee Candidate.

Fulfill the assessment requirements.

Attend any required clinics specified by the national office.

How and Where to Register as a Referee
You must be registered through the State Referee Administrator and you must register in the state you reside, work, or do your primary refereeing in that state.

Upgrading
In order for a referee to be upgraded, the referee must have met the time in grade requirement stated in the "Criteria for Certification and Upgrading" manual.

Grade 7
You must have refereed 75 games and been an assistant referee at 25 games. You must complete 5 hours of USSF intermediate level training and have passed the written test by at least 75% of the score. You must also pass an assessment in a U19 or higher level game.

Grade 6
You must have refereed 100 games and been an assistant referee on 25 games that were all U19 or higher level games. In addition, you must take 19 hours of state referee training, pass the written test with a minimum of 75% of the total score and pass two adult games assessments.

Grade 5
You must referee 150 games and been an assistant referee for 50 games. 50 of the total games must be adult games. You must pass 7 hours of in-service training and pass two assessments as a referee and one as an assistant referee in adult top level games or higher.