U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Referee Certification Requirements December 2013 (Effective July 1, 2014)

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Grade 9 – Referee

The purpose of the Grade 9 Referee Course is to prepare officials for the small sided and recreational youth game. Based on the level of training provided, U.S. Soccer recommends that these officials be assigned accordingly to best service the game.

Certification Requirements
Age Minimum Age 11
Previous Game Experience None
Previous Grade Experience None
Training Complete the Grade 9
Referee Course**
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 9
Referee Test**
Fitness Test Not Applicable***
Game Assessment Not Applicable***
Annual Recertification Requirements
Training Minimum 4 hours of training
Online and Classroom
Laws of the Game Test Pass Grade 9 Referee Test
Minimum Score 80%
Fitness Test Not Applicable***
Game Assessment Not Applicable***

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Grade 8 – Referee

The purpose of the Grade 8 Referee Course is to prepare officials for the competitive youth game. Based on the level of training provided, U.S. Soccer recommends that these officials be assigned accordingly to best service the game.

Certification Requirements
Age Minimum Age 14
Previous Game Experience             None
Previous Grade Experience None
Training Complete Grade 8
Referee Course
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 8
Referee Test (Min. 80%)
Fitness Test Not Applicable
Practical Evaluation Not Applicable
Annual Recertification Requirements
Training Minimum 5 hours Training
Online and Classroom
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 8
Referee Test (Min. 80%)
Fitness Test Not Applicable
Practical Evaluation Not Applicable***

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Grade 7 – Adult Amateur Assistant Referee

The purpose of the Grade 7 Referee Course is to prepare officials for the amateur adult game. Based on the level of training provided, U.S. Soccer recommends that these officials be assigned accordingly to best service the game.

Certification Requirements
Age Minimum 17
Previous Game Experience 75 games as Center with 25
at U15 and above; 15 games
as AR
Previous Grade Experience Grade 8 – minimum 1 year
Training Complete the Grade 7
Referee Course
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 7
Referee Test (min. 80%)
Fitness Test None required
Practical Evaluation None Required
Annual Recertification Requirements
Training Minimum 5 hours Online and Classroom
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 7
Referee Test (min. 80%)
Fitness Test None Required
Practical Evaluation None Required

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Grade 7c – – Adult Amateur Referee

The purpose of the Grade 7c Program is to evaluate Grade 7 referees for amateur adult league assignments. Referees seeking to attain Grade 7c status must first complete the Grade 7 Referee Requirements.

Certification Requirements
Age Same as Grade 7
Previous Game Experience Same as Grade 7
Previous Grade Experience Same as Grade 7
Training Same as Grade 7
Laws of the Game Test Same as Grade 7
Fitness Test Pass the FIFA Sprint and Interval Tests
Practical Evaluation Minimum of 1 completed by an Assessor**
Annual Recertification Requirements
Training Minimum 5 hours Online and Classroom
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 7
Referee Test (min. 80%)
Fitness Test Pass the FIFA Sprint and Interval Tests
Practical Evaluation Minimum of 1 completed by an Assessor**

 

  • **Minimum of 1 passing assessments that meet the sufficient test criteria (from affiliated games with a minimum of 40 minute halves) completed by an Assessor, assessment must be from an adult game

o State Referee Associations may establish additional assessment requirements

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Grade 6 – State Referee

The purpose of the Grade 6 State Referee Course is to prepare officials for the most competitive matches within their state and region. Based on the level of training provided, U.S. Soccer recommends that these officials be assigned accordingly to best service the game.

Certification Requirements
Age Must be at least 18
Previous Game Experience Minimum 100 games at U15 and above; 25
must be adult amatuer
Previous Grade Experience Grade 7 minimum 1 year
Training Complete Grade 6
State Referee Course
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 6
State Referee Test
Fitness Test Pass the FIFA Sprint and Interval Tests
Practical Evaluation Minimum of 2 completed by 2 State Assessors***
Annual Recertification Requirements
Training Minimum 5 hours Online and Classroom
Laws of the Game Test Pass the Grade 6
State Referee Test (80%)
Fitness Test Pass the FIFA Sprint and Interval Tests
Practical Evaluation Minimum of 2 completed by 2 State Assessors***

Notes

  • ***Minimum of 2 passing assessments that meet the sufficient test criteria (from affiliated games with a minimum of 40 minute halves) completed by two different State Assessors, and at least 1 of these assessments must be from an adult game

o State Referee Associations may establish additional assessment requirements

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Administration – Sprint Test

  • Participants run six consecutive 40 meter sprints followed by a recovery period after each sprint (while walking back to the start line)
  • Dynamic start with the front foot on a line that is 1.5 meters away from the electronic timing gates at the starting position
  • If a participant falls or trips, they are allowed another attempt at that specific sprint
  • If a participant fails one sprint out of the six, they are given one more attempt immediately after the sixth sprint
  • If a participant fails two sprints, they fail the test Interval Test
  • Participants run a total of ten consecutive laps
  • A lap consists of two 150 meter runs with two 50 meter recovery walks

o Starts with running 150 meters in the prescribed time o Followed by walking 50 meters in the prescribed time o This process is repeated to complete one lap

  • Walking area is marked by cones 3 meters on each side of the 150 meter marks
  • If a participant fails to reach the walking area in the prescribed time, they are issued a warning
  • If a participant fails to reach the walking area for a second time, they fail the test Notes
  • The time between the sprint test and interval test should be approximately 10 minutes Grade 6 State Referee Standards Sprint Test

Maximum of 9 seconds per sprint

Interval Test

  • Maximum of 45 seconds for the 150 meter run
  • Maximum of 45 seconds for the 50 meter walk