REFEREE

• Officiates youth and adult games in small-sided 7v7, 9v9, and/or 11v11 outdoor fields
• Works primarily with other Referee license holders

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Online and/or in-person Referee modules
• Online Laws of the Game update
• In-person or virtual practical training

REGIONAL REFEREE

• Officiates youth and adult games in 11v11 outdoor fields
• Works primarily with Referee license holders and Regional Referees, and also National Referees/Assistant Referees
• May officiate in regional and national adult amateur competitions, including but not limited to, USL-2, NPSL, UPSL, UWS, WPSL, and preliminary rounds of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Online and/or in-person Regional Referee modules
• Online Laws of the Game update
• In-person practical training
• Completion of Regional fitness test and match evaluations

NATIONAL REFEREE

• Officiates pre-professional games, and occasionally professional games
• Categorized by role as REFEREES or ASSISTANT REFEREES
• Works primarily with Regional Referees and other National Referees or Assistant Referees, and occasionally with Professional Referees and Assistant Referees
• May officiate in national adult amateur competitions (as listed above under Regional), and occasionally in professional men’s and women’s competitions (as listed below under Professional)
• Maintains appropriate level of physical fitness for game assignments year-round and for regular fitness testing.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Online National Match Official training
• Online Laws of the Game update
• Attend and successfully complete in-person National Camp
• Completion of National fitness test and match evaluations

PROFESSIONAL REFEREE

• Professional Referees and Assistant Referees are contracted by the Professional Referee Organization (PRO)
• Works primarily with other Professional Referees and Assistant Referees, as well as National Referees or Assistant Referees

May officiate in professional competitions, including:

• Men’s – MLS (Div 1), USL Championship (Div 2), USL League 1 (Div 3)
• Women’s – NWSL (Div 1), USL Super League (Div 1)

FIFA REFEREE

• FIFA International Panel of Match Officials are approved by the FIFA Referees Committee, following nomination from the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee
• Among the highest honors a referee can achieve – Represents the United States at the highest possible level and is a role model and inspiration for others
• Match officials are nominated on an annual basis as either Referees, Assistant Referees, Video Match Officials, Futsal Referees, or Beach Soccer Referees (Video Match Officials may also be nominated as Referees or Assistant Referees)
• Eligible to be selected for senior international matches and FIFA tournaments

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

All licensed match officials with U.S. Soccer – in both referee and referee coach pathways – are required to:

• Complete the Intro to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments online module
• Maintain a valid background screening (18 years and older)
• Maintain valid SafeSport training (18 years and older)

More information on course and licensing eligibility and requirements for both referee and referee coach pathways can be found by clicking here.