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Become a Certified Soccer Referee in 2025!
Purpose
The purpose of the First-Time Referee course is to prepare First-Time Referees to work in a competitive or recreational youth and amateur adult matches.
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The goal of the First-Time Referee course is to broaden a candidate’s understanding on how to:
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Facilitate a fair, fun, and safe game for the players by enforcing and applying the Laws of the Game
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Make and clearly communicate decisions based on perception and interpretation of player’s actions
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Facilitate understanding and application the Laws of the Game for players and coaches
On successful completion of the course, candidates will receive a Referee license for the current registration year. Once the license and badge are received, Referees can officiate competitive, small-sided or recreational youth and amateur adult matches.
Eligibility
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The national eligibility standards for the First-Time Course are:
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All referees must be 13 years of age or older in order to become a certified referee.
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Please be advised some states may have a different age limitation. Please reach out to your State Referee Committee if you have any questions.
Referees:
If you’d like to be considered for assignments, please email your availability (dates/times you can work and those you cannot) along with your game preferences.
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Our Referee Assignor, Teresa Knear Solorzano, will match referees to open games based on availability. Assignments are finalized on Thursday evenings and posted on Friday.
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For SIU referee game assignments, scheduling is managed through Arbiter. To be included in that group, please reach out directly to Teresa Knear Solorzano, Director of Referees, at RefereeDirector@SIUSoccer.com.
U.S. SOCCER INTRODUCES STRONGER POLICY TO PROTECT OUR REFEREES
Effective March 2025
Join U.S. Soccer in creating a better future for our game.
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The U.S. Soccer updated Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) is designed to make youth and amateur matches more safer, more fun, and more empowering for everyone involved.
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Referee abuse will not be tolerated.
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U.S. Soccer is asking everyone to do their part by knowing the rules, reporting referee abuse, and embodying behaviors that represent the best of us.
