Referee Information

Referee Grades:

It takes more than just having a whistle.

The grades for AYSO referees are set by the national board. Service Units are time spent directly helping the referee organization, such as teaching and mentoring. Unfortunately, the dunk tank on Opening Day does not qualify.

• Regional Referee
  • Minimum age of 12.
  • No minimum number of games required.
  • Completion of the Regional Referee course.
  • 75% or higher on the Regional Referee exam.
• Intermediate Referee
  • Minimum age of 14.
  • Must have completed 25 games as referee, minimum of 5 in the U12 age group.
  • Completion of the Area Referee course.
  • 90% or higher on the Area Referee exam.
  • One observation by a grade 3 mentor as a center referee and one as an assistant referee is recommended.
  • A minimum of 3 service units are required.
  • Upgrade recommendation by the Regional Referee Administrator.
• Advanced Referee
  • Minimum age of 16.
  • Must have completed 50 games as a referee.  At least 10 as a U14 center and 5 as a U14 assistant referee.
  • Completion of the Section Referee course.
  • 90% or higher on the Section Referee exam.
  • One field assessment as referee and one as assistant referee in a U14 game.
  • Must successfully complete current physical fitness test for this level.
  • A minimum of five service units.
• National Referee
  • Minimum age of 18.
  • Pre-requisite game count of at least 80 matches as referee prior to attending the new National Referee Course
  • Successfully complete the new National Referee Course.
  • 100 total matches as referee with at least 30 in U-16 and U-19 matches, of which at least 15 must be in U-19, if available. The Section Referee Administrator my authorize substitution of U-16 for U-19, if U-19 matches are not available. Game count may include non-AYSO matches.
  • 25 as Assistant Referees with at least 10 in U-19, if available. The Section Referee Administrator my authorize substitution of U-16 for U-19, if U-19 matches are not available. Game count may include non-AYSO matches.
  • Successfully pass the National Physical Test & National Written Test.
  • 2 satisfactory assessments as referee in U-16 or U-19 with at least one as U-19, if available. The Section Referee Administrator may authorize substitution of U-16 for U-19, if U-19 matches are not available. Candidates should be aware, and assessors notified, that if a U16 match is substituted, U19 assessment criteria will be used. It is recommended that assessments be done in both boys and girls matches
  • 1 satisfactory assessment as Assistant Referee in U-16 or U-19
  • Perform 5 service units

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