The New Hampshire State Referee Committee (NHSRC), in conjunction with U.S. Soccer, is committed to producing a variety of referee education resources aimed at supporting the approximate 600 members across the state that service amateur games at the youth and adult levels.
In addition to supporting development within the State, the NHSRC also focuses on identifying officials with the potential to succeed at regional and national events for identification to the professional and international level. To further these efforts, the NHSRC assigns a network of highly qualified staff to various events and league matches to identify the program’s up-and-coming and top performing officials.
Referee
First Time Referees enter as Referees and have two different options to complete their licensure, Digital Referee and Referee.
The Digital Referee course is taken completely online and is recommended for those that wish to work recreational matches.
The Referee course is a combination of online modules, an in-person classroom session, and an in-person field session. This license is recommended for those looking to work competitive youth matches, attend regional events, and work adult amateur matches in the state.
- 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 Referee modules
- Online Laws of the Game update
- In-person practical training
Referee licenses are active for the year that the coursework is completed and the year the badge states. All referee licenses require renewal each year.
Per U.S. Soccer, officials must be a minimum age of 13 years old in order to register to become a certified referee.
In addition to the normal course work, any referee who is age 18 or older, or will turn 18 during that registration year, must also complete the following:
- Background Screening (every two years)
- SafeSport training (every year)
If requirements expire or you turn 18, you will receive a license suspension email from US Soccer.
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
Referee licenses are active for the year that the coursework is completed and the year the badge states. All referee licenses require renewal each year.
Per U.S. Soccer, officials must be a minimum age of 13 years old in order to register to become a certified referee.
In addition to the normal course work, any referee who is age 18 or older, or will turn 18 during that registration year, must also complete the following:
- Background Screening (every two years)
- SafeSport training (every year)
If requirements expire or you turn 18, you will receive a license suspension email from US Soccer.
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
Referee licenses are active for the year that the coursework is completed and the year the badge states. All referee licenses require renewal each year.
Per U.S. Soccer, officials must be a minimum age of 13 years old in order to register to become a certified referee.
In addition to the normal course work, any referee who is age 18 or older, or will turn 18 during that registration year, must also complete the following:
- Background Screening (every two years)
- SafeSport training (every year)
If requirements expire or you turn 18, you will receive a license suspension email from US Soccer.
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
Futsal and Beach soccer referees require a separate license from the other referee licenses in the US Soccer Referee pathway. For more information, use the links below.
Futsal Referee
Beach Referee
Referee licenses are active for the year that the coursework is completed and the year the badge states. All referee licenses require renewal each year.
Per U.S. Soccer, officials must be a minimum age of 13 years old in order to register to become a certified referee.
In addition to the normal course work, any referee who is age 18 or older, or will turn 18 during that registration year, must also complete the following:
- Background Screening (every two years)
- SafeSport training (every year)
If requirements expire or you turn 18, you will receive a license suspension email from US Soccer.
