USSF Referee Grades

U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Grades

To provide uniform standards for soccer referees in the United States, the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee has adopted the following referee grades. These grades supersede all grades that may have been adopted by state associations and leagues so that uniform and comparative grading exists throughout the United States.

Grade 12 - U.S. Soccer Federation Assistant Referee (SC does not offer this grade)

  1. Minimum Age: None (State Associations may set minimum age for their games) 
  2. Badge: U.S. Soccer Assistant Referee, with current year
  3. Authorized Assignment Level: Assistant Referee on all youth and adult games
  4. Note to Assignors: Minimum age of 17 suggested for assignment to adult level games

Grade 9 - U.S. Soccer Federation Recreational Referee

  1. Minimum Age: None (Age 11 in South Carolina)
  2. Badge: U.S. Soccer Recreational Referee, with current year
  3. Authorized Assignment Level: Referee on recreational youth games U-14 and younger only and assistant referee on any game U-14 or below

Grade 8 - U.S. Soccer Federation Referee

  1. Minimum Age: None  (Age 11 in South Carolina)
  2. Badge: U.S. Soccer Referee, with current year
  3. Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games, assistant referee in comparable games

Grade 7 - U.S. Soccer Federation Referee

  1. Minimum Age: 17
  2. Badge: U.S. Soccer Referee, with current year
  3. Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and mixed leagues, assistant referee in all adult games below the top division

Grade 6 - U.S. Soccer Federation State Referee

  1. Minimum Age: 18
  2. Badge: U.S. Soccer State Referee, with current year
  3. Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and adult amateur games through second division and assistant referee in the top adult division and Amateur Cup games

Grade 5 - U.S. Soccer Federation State Referee

  1. Minimum Age: 19
  2. Badge: U.S. Soccer State Referee, with current year
  3. Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and adult games including first division and assistant referee in professional league and international cup games

Grade 4 - U.S. Soccer Federation National Referee

  1. Minimum Age: 23
  2. Badge: U.S. Soccer National Referee, with current year
  3. Recommended Assignment Level: All games except formal FIFA international matches; assistant referee for international matches D. U. S. Citizen or Permanent Resident