How to Become a USSF Certified Soccer Referee

Being a soccer referee can be both rewarding and fulfilling. To become a US Soccer Federation (USSF) Referee you are required to attend an Entry Level Clinic given by a specially trained and certified (by USSF, certified by WASRC) instructor. There is no exception even if you were a player or coach. One New Referee Grade is offered in Washington:

Grassroots Referee: The purpose of the Grassroots Referee Course is to prepare officials for competitive and recreational youth games. Based on the level of training provided, U.S. Soccer recommends that these officials be assigned accordingly to best service the game. (As of July 2019, it is required that you be at least 13 years old at the time of registration. The recommended minimum age is 14 at time of registration.)

Note: Please check with your local Referee Chapter as some Clubs, Referee Chapters or Leagues may have specific minimum age as a local requirement, based on their needs and experiences.

Step 1 - Register with the WASRC Website and then Sign Up for the Online PreClinic

You must create your Member Registration on this website and then register for the New Referee (PreClinic Lessons). When registering, read the registration instructions carefully and check the appropriate options. You will then be added to the PreClinic roster.

• The registration fee is $85.00 (USSF registration fee $65+$20 Clinic Fee) to be paid online during the registration process.

• If you are 18+ years old, there is an addition $3.50 fee to cover a background check.

Step 2 - Complete the PreClinic Lessons

The Online lesson in the PreClinic cover the Rules of the Game. If you are 18+ years old, it also covers SafeSports training. To start the lessons, log onto the wareferees.org website, scroll down and click on the “Online Lessons” button. Read and follow the instructions.

Step 3 - Choose an In-Person Clinic

Once the online lessons are completed, you then select the in-person clinic that works for you.  Log onto the wareferees.org website which will take you to your Member page. You will see the "Online Lessons" button now reads "Pick a Clinic". Pick one from the list and once completed (you will receive email instructions regarding details of the event) you will receive your referee badge. This certification will allow you to be assigned to youth matches as determined by the referee assigning chapter.

• Your registration is good for one year and must be renewed annually. To be more specific,

  • If the date of your New Referee clinic is between Jan 1 and June 30, your registration is good until Dec 31 of the current year.

  • If the date of your New Referee clinic is between July 1 and Dec 31, your registration is good until Dec 31 of the next year.

Click here to begin your registration process WASRC Registration.

Create an Account/Register with WAReferees.org

To become a referee and to maintain your referee certifications, you will need to create an account with WAReferees.org.  

• You must be 13 years old to register.  

• If you are a minor (<18 years old), you will be asked to provide both an email address for yourself and an email address for your parent/guardian.  Please don't use your parent's email address for yourself.  USSF (United States Soccer Federation) requires everyone registered with them have a unique email address.  All email that the Washington State Referee Committee (WASRC) sends to a minor, will be copied to the parent/guardian.

• If you are not a minor, you will be asked for permission to do a Background Check on you.

The button below will begin the registration process.  During the registration process, you will be asked to fill out a registration form.  

After you have filled out the registration form, you will be prompted to sign up for a New Referee Clinic.

• • Answer the "Legal Question", then scroll down and click "Submit Request".

Next, click the "Reserve Clinic" button next to the "New Referee (PreClinic Lessons)" clinic.

Next, click the "Continue to Next Step" button in the lower right.

You will now be prompted for purchasing a referee kit.  You are not required to purchase a kit.  If you want a kit, fill in the drop-down choices for sizes.

You will now be prompted to pay for the registration, the New Referee clinic, the referee kit (if you wanted one) and the background check if you are not a minor.  Click the "Click Here to Complete the Requests and Pay Fees" and pay.

You will be presented with a receipt, and a receipt will be emailed to you.

If you are not a minor, a link near the top of the page will take you to the Background Check process.

Click "Return to Member Home Page" near the upper left to complete the registration and get access to the Online Lessons.

Take the Online Lessons

Once you've paid for your registration you will be able to take the Online Lessons required for recertification. 

Help on how to complete Online Lessons.

In-Person Field Session

Once you have completed the Online Lessons, the "Online Lessons" button will change to "Pick a Clinic".

Click "Pick a Clinic" and a list of available "New Referee Field Clinics" will appear.  Find a clinic that you can attend and click "Attend Here".  The In-Person Field Clinics are limited in size due to the number of instructors available and the size of the venue.  If there is no clinic available that you can attend, you can wait and check back.  New clinics are added frequently.  There are often 8-10 per month across Washington state.  There are significantly more in late July and August as this is when most New Referees get certified.

The In-Person Field Clinics consists of all outdoor instruction on a field at the complex.

The in-person portion of the certification consists of 4-hours of field practicum. If you are not able to physically participate due to injury, you will need to take another class once you are released to participate. 

We will work on being a referee at a game.  What to do when you arrive, how to manage a game, and what happens after a game.

What to bring:

• • Bring paper and pencil for notes. Bring questions you may have from the online material.

  • Bring snacks and any drinks you may want. There will not be a formal meal break. Instead we will be taking 10-15 minute breaks that will allow time for snacks and beverage.

  • Dress to be active on the field. Bring shoes appropriate for light work on the soccer field (cleats are not required, but recommended depending on the weather). Dress for the weather.

  • A referee whistle will be provided.

Badges

Badges will be handed to you at the end of the In-Person Clinic.  

Beginning in July 2025, referees under the age of 18 will get Green badges.  Referees 18 or older will get black badges.  This is a USSF mandate to call attention to the age of the referees and hopefully reduce referee abuse of youth referees.

New Referee Information

Now that you are a referee, what's next?