Becoming a certified AYSO referee

AYSO cannot function without parents volunteering to participate as qualified referees… and every coach, player, and parent appreciates when their games are refereed well! Becoming a referee who understands the laws of the game and how to referee soccer games well is not an intimidating process. The Region and our Referee Staff are here to help you!

How do I become a certified referee?

There are four steps to becoming a certified referee.

#1 you must take a referee instruction course for the level of soccer that you’d like to referee. If your child is in 8U, there are classes in refereeing 8U soccer. If your child is in 10U or above, you will need to take the Regional Referee training class.

To find when upcoming Regional Referee classes are offered and to sign up for one, use this link to go to the eTrainU website.

Once you have passed your referee class, you must also do the following:

• #2 Complete a LiveScan fingerprinting (this only has to be done once). Click here to download the form and for more instructions.
• #3 Complete a free background check (this has to be done annually). Please email the referee staff if you don’t have a link to do this.
• #4 Take short online courses called SafeSport, Safe Haven, Concussion Awareness, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest from eTrainU.

More information

• Referee Training Calendar
• Referee Upgrades
• Referee Mentor Program

Referee Badge Levels

There are five referee badge levels. You can learn more about the upgrade path on the Referee Upgrades page. Most new volunteers start as an 8U Official or a Regional Referee. 8U Officials can referee games for 6U, 7U, and 8U divisions. Regional Referees can play both Center Referee and Assistant Referee roles in 10U and 12U and Assistant Referee roles in 14U.

Learn more about these classes on the Volunteer training page. All of these courses and certifications can be completed online, with the exception of the LiveScan Fingerprint, which takes place in person. Note that youth (PRO) referees do not get background checks, fingerprinting, or take SafeSport.

Referee Training

Each level or badge has its own course. For example, there is an 8U Official course, a Regional Referee course, etc. These are in-person courses.

View the training calendar to find a training convenient for you!

For 8U and Regional badges, you take your course, complete a written exam and you’re good to go. Most folks are able to pass the exam on the first try.

8U Training Documents

The 8U Official course is for all 6U, 7U, and 8U officials. In addition to the AYSO-standard training, please review the Region 13 Video and the Region 13 6-8U Modifications

At higher levels (Intermediate, Advanced, and National) a course and exam are also required, as well as a minimum number of games and on-field observations and assessments. Visit the Upgrade Path page to learn more.

Next: Why I Referee