USSF REFEREE GRADES


To provide uniform standards for soccer referees in the United States, the National Referee committee has adopted ten referee grades. These grades supersedes all grades which have previously been adopted by state associations and leagues so that uniform and comparative grading exists throughout the United States.

REFEREE GRADE
INFORMATION

10 - USSF Linesman

Minimum Age:

None

 

Badge:

USSF Linesman

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

Youth Games

9 - USSF Associate Referee

Minimum Age:

None

 

Badge:

USSF Associate Referee

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

Beginning referee for youth games through age 11

8 - USSF Referee Class 2

Minimum Age:

None

 

Badge:

USSF Referee

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All youth games, linesman in comparable games

7 - USSF Referee Class 1

Minimum Age:

17

 

Badge:

USSF Referee

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All youth games and mixed leagues, linesman in all amateur games below the top level

6- USSF State Referee Class 2

Minimum Age:

18

 

Badge:

USSF State Referee

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All youth games and amateur games through second division and linesman in the top amateur cup games.

5 - USSF State Referee Class 1

Minimum Age:

19

 

Badge:

USSF Referee

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All youth games and amateur games including first division and linesman in professional league and international cup games

4 - USSF National Referee

Minimum Age:

25

 

Badge:

USSF National Referee

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All games except formal FIFA international matches; linesman for international matches

3 - USSF National Referee International Panel Candidate

Minimum Age:

26

 

Badge:

USSF National Referee

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All games except formal FIFA international matches

2 - USSF International Linesman

Minimum Age:

26

 

Badge:

FIFA Linesman, on international matches*

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All games

 

Other Requirements:

US Citizenship required

1 - USSF International Referee

Minimum Age:

26

 

Badge:

FIFA

 

Recommended Assignment Level:

All games

 

Other Requirements:

US Citizenship required

The United States Soccer Federation grade and title of an official will be determined solely by the standards and examinations issued by the National Referee Committee. Annual re-examination is required.

A referee must officiate at the next-higher level to accumulate experience to be certified competent at that level. Assignors must exercise care to increase the difficulty level of the game assignments in a gradual and orderly manner for the good of the official and of the players.