Upgrading Your Badge

If you have held your current badge for a year or so, and particularly if you plan to start refereeing older players soon, we highly recommend that you upgrade to the next level of referee badge.  Of course, having a higher level badge will not in itself make you a better referee -- there are many fine referees with Regional Referee badges and some "not so fine" ones with higher level badges. But going for an upgrade does help -- it exposes you to the issues that will be of concern with older players; it will challenge you to polish your law knowledge; and it will give you a chance to be formally observed doing a game by a more experienced referee who can help you with your technique. If you are interested in upgrading, review the new referee upgrade requirements, plan to attend an upgrade clinic, and take advantage of our fine mentoring and assessment programs.  The entire referee staff, and specifically the referee instructors, are committed to making your AYSO referee experience a positive one.

What are the certification levels?

There are the six certification levels for AYSO referees. Here is a brief description of the requirements for each: 

U-8 Official 
(minimum age 10) 
Complete the 8U Official Course and pass the 8U Official Exam.

Assistant Referee 
(minimum age 12) 
Complete the Assistant Referee Course and pass the Assistant Referee Exam.

Regional Referee 
(minimum age 12) 
Complete the Basic Referee Course and pass the Regional Referee Exam.

Intermediate Referee 
(minimum age 14) 
Complete 25 games as referee with at least five in 12U games, complete the Intermediate Referee Course, pass the Intermediate Referee Exam and be (observed) mentored in a 12U game.

Advanced Referee 
(minimum age 16) 
Complete 50 games as referee with at least 10 in 14U and five as an assistant referee (in 14U), complete the Advanced Referee Course, pass the Advanced Referee Exam, pass one assessment as referee and one as assistant referee in a 14U match, pass the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

National Referee 
(minimum age 18) 
Complete 100 games as referee with at least 30 in 16U/19U games and 25 as Assistant Referee with at least 10 in 19U, complete the National Referee Course, pass the National Referee Exam, pass two assessments as referee in 16U or 16U matches and one as assistant referee in a 19U match, complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

Kevin Palm
Region 71 Referee Administrator