Certification Requirements

Washington State Referee Certification, Re-Certification and Upgrade Requirements (2025)

U. S. Soccer has redefined various roles and the Certification, Recertification and as appropriate - Upgrade requirements for these roles.  In some roles/grades the State Referee Committee can implement requirements in excess of those set as minimums by U.S. Soccer.  Additionally, in the area of Training, the State Referee Committee can always have higher requirements than those from U.S. Soccer.

Below are the current Referee minimum requirements compared to those issued by U.S. Soccer.

Please note: Events not sponsored or formally sanctioned by the State Referee Committee will not be considered as contributing to the Certification, Recertification and Upgrade process.  No exceptions to this policy will be considered.

Please note:

• 1. Badge Year - U.S. Soccer defines a Badge Year as running from Jan 01 thru Dec 31; that is – the year on the Badge. A registered Referee can use that Badge to be assigned USSF games during that calendar year.

  2. Registration / Recertification “Year” - The registration period for a given Badge Year is offset by 6 months ahead, running between Jul 01 and Jun 30.

  3. Example (1): Training taken between Jul 01, 2024 and Jun 30, 2025 is *valid only for Badge Year 2025 Registration.

  4. Example (2): Training taken between Jul 01, 2025 and Jun 30, 2026 is *valid only for Badge Year 2026 Registration.

Referee, Regional and National Emeritus (2025)

Referee Advanced (2025)

Referee Regional (2025)

Referee - Late and Lapsed Recertification Criteria (2025)

National Referees

The WASRC will assist in managing Fitness Tests and Evaluations when requested. Selection for the National program is exclusively managed by USSF.

PRO / PRO II Referees 

The WASRC will assist in managing Fitness Tests and Evaluations when requested. Selection for the National program is exclusively managed by the Professional Referees Organization (PRO).

FIFA Referees 

The WASRC will assist in managing Fitness Tests and Evaluations when requested. Selection for the FIFA program is exclusively managed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

WASRC Portfolio Guidelines

SRC selection for Assignments to State Cup games / Tournaments / Out-of-State events / etc., Referees will often be based on a review of the referee's "Portfolio". 

The SRC’s Portfolio Guidelines (2014-11-07) 

Referees, instructors and assessors – the State Referee Committee (SRC) tries to be transparent in all decisions and make the best use of members funds for the good of the game. The SRC goal has been to give back by expending members funds on advanced (meaning above new /recert) training and sponsoring selected referees for travel to in and out of state to events known to offer worthy opportunities, training and mentoring. Selection for SRC funded travel is the area where this portfolio concept most applies. Basically, when deciding who gets selected, or breaking subjective ties, the member’s portfolio might be the difference maker. 

So what is a portfolio? It is documented and subjective evidence that you are giving back to the game, by the games you serve, your commitment to improve as a referee, etc. and your conduct both on and off the field. 

So what is documented?  

• • Have you run and passed a recent (last 12 months) FIFA Interval test, required or not?  

  • Have you been recently and frequently passed a maintenance or upgrade assessment, required or not?  

  • Have you passed the State referee exam, required or not?  

  • Do you attend advanced (Qualifying Events, such as RTS, RDA, SRC sponsored) training, needing the “hours” or not?  

  • Do you present at or otherwise support advanced training?  

  • Do you support the recreational youth program?  

  • Do you support the competitive youth program?  

  • Do you support the adult program?  

  • Do you support the LAC assigned programs? 

So what is subjective?  

• • Do you travel well? Meaning do you show up where you should be when you should be without drama. While at an event, can you avoid drama?  

  • Do you keep the SRC members in the loop or ask for concurrence on your self-funded out of state travel. Or do you just go, arrive claiming to represent WA yet no SRC member has been consulted on this travel. This is especially bothersome if there are reports of some drama.  

  • How are you regarded among your peers?  

  • Are you famous? This is rarely a good thing for a referee, etc. This can happen both in-state and out of state on SRC or self-funded travel. If you do become famous, the SRC will take a firm position to recommend the best cure is that you need time away from opportunities for further drama.  

  • Are you a special project with possible great potential but known to be drawn to drama? Special projects will likely be considered only after all others have been selected and there are still open slots available. We will also need to consider sending your special handler, all of this on member funds.  

  • Keep in mind that becoming famous and / or being engaged in unwanted drama can go so far as being subject to future membership denial.