Previous Certification Experience
Must have held a Regional License for the previous two registration years.
Previous Game Experience – Game Log Form
Submit game log form with at least 65 games at the adult amateur level. 40 as a referee and 25 games as an assistant referee all in affiliated, adult matches.
Fitness Test
Pass the Referee or Assistant Referee Gender Specific Category 1 FIFA fitness test. This is held at National Camp for those that are selected to attend.
Fitness test requirements below.
Practical Evaluation
Minimum of three (3) passing National Evaluations as the track the candidate wishes to be considered for, either REFEREE or AR. These evaluations must be completed by three (3) different National Referee Coaches.
Evaluation Information
The new evaluation form will be in use starting for the 2025 Registration Year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025).
- New Evaluation Form Information Presentation – (Click Here)
- US Soccer Evaluation Process and Guidelines – (Click Here)
- New Evaluation Form for National Officials – PDF – (Click Here)
National Referee Coursework and Requirements
Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments (1 hr.)
SafeSport (1 hr.) – Must complete every two years.
National Match Official Video Test (45 mins.)
National Match Official Written Test (45 mins.)
Laws of the Game Update (20 mins.)
Successful completion of National Camp
Background Check ($30)
This must be completed online through the Learning Center every two years. May take up to two weeks to complete and you will not be able to attend any in-person activities until it is completed – please plan ahead!
Editable National Match Official Checklist
Click the button below to access a checklist to help keep track of all of the necessary requirements to upgrade to a National Match Official. Once you click on the button, you will be directed to make a copy of the form for yourself.
National Summary Table
Female National Fitness Requirements
The official fitness test for soccer referees consists of two tests. Test 1, Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), measures the referee’s ability to perform repeated sprints over 40m. Test 2, Interval Test, evaluates the referee’s capacity to perform a series of high-speed runs over 75m interspersed with 25m walking intervals.
- The time between the end of Test 1 and the start of Test 2 should be 6 to 8 minutes maximum.
- Tests must be performed on an athletics track (or a natural/artificial football field if no track is available).
- Athletic spikes may NOT be worn during the tests.
- Referees must pass the FIFA Fitness Test at least once a year.
Test 1: Repeated Sprint Ability
- Referees must complete 6 x 40 meter sprints
- Maximum of 6.40 seconds per trial
- Recovery consists of a maximum of 60 seconds between trials and referees must walk back to start during the recovery period.
- If a referee fails one trial out of the six, they should be given a seventh trial immediately after the sixth trial. If they fail two trials out of seven, the match official has failed the test.
Test 2: Interval Test
- Referees must complete 40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals. This equates to 10 laps on a 400m track.
- Maximum 17 seconds per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk
- If a referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time, they should receive a clear warning from the test leader. If a referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time for a second occasion, they should be stopped by the test leader and informed that they have failed the test.
The official fitness test for soccer assistant referees consists of three tests. Test 1, CODA, assesses the assistant referee’s ability to change direction. Test 2, Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), measures the assistant referee’s ability to perform repeated sprints over 30m. Test 3, Interval Test, evaluates the assistant referee’s capacity to perform a series of high-speed runs over 75m interspersed with 25m walking intervals.
- The time between the end of Test 1 and the start of Test 2 should be 2 to 4 minutes maximum. The time between the end of Test 2 and the start of Test 3 should be 6 to 8 minutes maximum.
- Tests must be performed on a stable surface such as an athletics track or football field. Athletic spikes may NOT be worn during the tests.
- Assistant referees must pass the FIFA Fitness Test at least once a year.
Test 1: CODA
- Assistant referees must complete the CODA test one time.
- Assistant referees sprint 10m forward, 8m sideways left, 8m sideways right and 10 m forward. (See diagram in Fitness test explanations pdf below).
- Maximum of 11.00 seconds per trial.
- If an assistant referee fails the trial, they should be given an additional trial. If they fail two trials, the match official has failed the test.
Test 2: Repeated Sprint Ability
- Assistant referees must complete 5 x 30 meter sprints
- Maximum of 5.10 seconds per trial
- Recovery consists of a maximum of 30 seconds between trials and assistant referees must walk back to start during the recovery period.
- If an assistant referee fails one trial out of the five, they should be given a sixth trial immediately after the fifth trial. If they fail two trials out of six, the match official has failed the test.
Test 3: Interval Test
- Assistant referees must complete 40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals. This equates to 10 laps on a 400m track.
- Maximum 17 seconds per 75m run and 22 seconds per 25m walk
- If an assistant referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time, they should receive a clear warning from the test leader. If an assistant referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time for a second occasion, they should be stopped by the test leader and informed that they have failed the test.
Male National Fitness Requirements
The official fitness test for soccer referees consists of two tests. Test 1, Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), measures the referee’s ability to perform repeated sprints over 40m. Test 2, Interval Test, evaluates the referee’s capacity to perform a series of high-speed runs over 75m interspersed with 25m walking intervals.
- The time between the end of Test 1 and the start of Test 2 should be 6 to 8 minutes maximum.
- Tests must be performed on an athletics track (or a natural/artificial football field if no track is available).
- Athletic spikes may NOT be worn during the tests.
- Referees must pass the FIFA Fitness Test at least once a year.
Test 1: Repeated Sprint Ability
- Referees must complete 6 x 40 meter sprints
- Maximum of 6.00 seconds per trial
- Recovery consists of a maximum of 60 seconds between trials and referees must walk back to start during the recovery period.
- If a referee fails one trial out of the six, they should be given a seventh trial immediately after the sixth trial. If they fail two trials out of seven, the match official has failed the test.
Test 2: Interval Test
- Referees must complete 40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals. This equates to 10 laps on a 400m track.
- Maximum 15 seconds per 75m run and 18 seconds per 25m walk
- If a referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time, they should receive a clear warning from the test leader. If a referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time for a second occasion, they should be stopped by the test leader and informed that they have failed the test.
The official fitness test for soccer assistant referees consists of three tests. Test 1, CODA, assesses the assistant referee’s ability to change direction. Test 2, Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), measures the assistant referee’s ability to perform repeated sprints over 30m. Test 3, Interval Test, evaluates the assistant referee’s capacity to perform a series of high-speed runs over 75m interspersed with 25m walking intervals.
- The time between the end of Test 1 and the start of Test 2 should be 2 to 4 minutes maximum. The time between the end of Test 2 and the start of Test 3 should be 6 to 8 minutes maximum.
- Tests must be performed on a stable surface such as an athletics track or football field. Athletic spikes may NOT be worn during the tests.
- Assistant referees must pass the FIFA Fitness Test at least once a year.
Test 1: CODA
- Assistant referees must complete the CODA test one time.
- Assistant referees sprint 10m forward, 8m sideways left, 8m sideways right and 10 m forward. (See diagram in Fitness test explanations pdf below).
- Maximum of 10.00 seconds per trial.
- If an assistant referee fails the trial, they should be given an additional trial. If they fail two trials, the match official has failed the test.
Test 2: Repeated Sprint Ability
- Assistant referees must complete 5 x 30 meter sprints
- Maximum of 4.70 seconds per trial
- Recovery consists of a maximum of 30 seconds between trials and assistant referees must walk back to start during the recovery period.
- If an assistant referee fails one trial out of the five, they should be given a sixth trial immediately after the fifth trial. If they fail two trials out of six, the match official has failed the test.
Test 3: Interval Test
- Assistant referees must complete 40 x 75m run / 25m walk intervals. This equates to 10 laps on a 400m track.
- Maximum 15 seconds per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk
- If an assistant referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time, they should receive a clear warning from the test leader. If an assistant referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time for a second occasion, they should be stopped by the test leader and informed that they have failed the test.
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