Minimum Age
Minimum age of 18 with at least two consecutive years of experience as a Referee.
Game Log Form
Submit game log form with at least 25 games as a referee and 15 games as an assistant referee all in affiliated, adult matches (for new Regional Referees only).
Online Course
Complete First Time Regional Referee course in the US Soccer Learning Center.
Fitness Test
Pass the Women’s FIFA Referee fitness test (held in conjunction with the Advanced Training). More information below.
Females Certifying as Regional Referee must pass the Women’s FIFA Category 3 fitness test.
Males Certifying as Regional Referee must pass the Women’s FIFA Category 1 fitness test.
Practical Evaluation
Minimum of three (3) evaluations as a referee with scores that average to 8.0 or higher. At least two (2) at the adult amateur level and maximum of one (1) at the highest youth level (U18 or U19) with 2 x 45 minute halves. Evaluations must be done by different referee coaches for all games.
To request evaluations, please reach out to the State Director of Assessment at sda@nhreferee.org.
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 Regional Officials – PDF – (Click Here)
Advanced Referee Training
First Time Regional Referee cost: $415
Course fee includes course fee, registration fee and evaluation fee ($105 each) for three evaluations.
7 hour classroom session typically held the second weekend of August annually.
SafeSport Training (online assignment) – Must complete every two years.
Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments (online assignment).
Regional Referee Certification Quiz (online assignment).
Course, Registration, and Evaluations ($425)
Course Fee and Registration: $72.50
U.S. Soccer Surcharge: $37.50
Evaluation Fee*: $105 ea.
*If a referee needs more than three (3) evaluations, the referee is responsible for the cost of each additional evaluation at $105 each evaluation.
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 Regional Referee Checklist
Click the button below to access a checklist to help keep track of all of the necessary requirements to upgrade to a Regional Referee. Once you click on the button, you will be directed to make a copy of the form for yourself.
Regional Certification Summary Table
All Requirements Must be Met by June 20, 2025
To receive your 2025 Regional Referee badge, all of the requirements must be met by June 20, 2025.
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.
Regional Referee Fitness Testing Requirements
Test 1: Repeated Sprint Ability
- Referees must complete 6 x 40 meter sprints
- Maximum of 6.60 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 24 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.
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.
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