Hudson Valley Soccer Referee Association
The progression of a referee from lower grade to higher grade (e.g. Grade 8 to Grade 7) is prescribed
by the
Referee Administrative Handbook. Upgrade is based
upon experience (number of matches officiated)
at various age and competition levels and upon the recommendation of assessors. Assessors are trained and
certified by the USSF to serve as evaluators and advisors to referees. Assessors are experienced referees
trained to observe the skills and demeanor of referees. Assessors provide feedback to the referee and to
the SRC - State Referee Committee, indicating the competency of the official and recommending areas of
performance for enhancement. The assessor's feedback serves the individual referee's development and,
together with the referee's own report, provides input the SRC's instruction program to improve the
performance of the referees across the board.
Once a referee has accumulated the appropriate experience and received assessments as required by the
Referee Administrative Handbook, the referee must document this information and submit a request for
upgrade to the SRC. The SRC reviews the documentation and acts on the strength of the assessments and the
needs of the state for referees at the requested grade and either approves or disapproves the upgrade request.
Upon approval the referee's grade is changed upon the next registration.
Please review the Administrative Handbook to ensure you meet all criteria for upgrading (assessors do not
verify whether the official can be promoted; they just assess). The onus is on the official to get the
number of games, pass the running test, take the required written tests, attend all mandatory clinics,
and request an assessment.
The following information has been extracted from the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook and recent
memoranda.
Referees who are registered with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) may upgrade to the next
referee grade once they have satisfied specific requirements.
Upgrading requires:
Because of the complexity of upgrading, it is strongly recommended that you contact and work with your Area Coordinator of Assessment to ensure you satisfy all requirements.
The criteria for certifying and upgrading vary according to the grade you wish to attain.
| Referees and State Referees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Upgrade Criteria |
Referee Class 1 (Grade 7) |
State Referee 2 (Grade 6) |
State Referee 1 (Grade 5) |
| 1. Minimum Age | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 2. Experience (minimum cumulative career outdoor games at designated level) |
Referee: 75 Assistant Referee: 25 |
Referee: 100 Assistant Referee: 25 |
Referee: 150 Assistant Referee: 50 |
| a. Game level to be counted for advancement | USSF Games (DSC) | U-19 competitive leagues or higher level (using DSC) | Of the 150 games, a minimum of 50 must be on adult Division 1 league games |
| b. Time in present grade | 12 months as Referee Class 2 | 12 months as Referee 1 prior to application | 12 months as State Referee 2 prior to application |
| 3. Training Course Requirements | 5 hours of USSF Intermediate Level Training | 19 hours of State Referee Training | 7 hours of In-Service State Referee Training |
| 4. Written Examination | 85% minimum score on USSF Referee Exam | 75% minimum score on USSF State Referee Exam | 85% minimum score on USSF State Referee Exam |
| 5. Field Evaluation by USSF Assessor | Pass one evaluation as referee in an U-19 or higher level game employing the DSC | Pass two field assessments as a referee and one as an assistant referee in U-19 competitive league or higher | Pass two field assessments as a referee and one as an assistant referee in top adult Division 1 leagues or higher |
| 6. Physical Fitness Test | Requirements | Requirements | Requirements |
