The following MDCVSA adult leagues/divisions, United Soccer Leagues (USL), and have
been designated as "Top Division 1 Leagues" and or “Professional Leagues” for
evaluation of referees attempting to upgrade to or maintain a National or Regional Referee grade.

 

League                                                                       Division/Level                         Evaluation Acceptable Level

USL  Championship                                                Men's Professional  (D2)           National
USL Super League                                                  Women's Professional  (D1)     National
USL League 1                                                           Men's Professional  (D3)          National 
NISA                                                                           Men's Professional (D3)           National    
MLS-Next Pro                                                           Men's Professional (D3)           National 
USL League 2                                                           Men's Pre-professional             National/Regional 
USL W                                                                       Women's Pre-professional       National/Regional 
CCL Pro-23                                                               Men's Semi-Professional          National/Regional 
American Premier Soccer League (APSL)            Men's Semi-pro                          National /Regional 
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)                 Men's Semi-pro                          National/Regional 
National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)              USASA Tier 1                              National/Regional
American Premier League (APL)                          Men's Amateur                           National/Regional 
Virginia Super Soccer League (VSSL)                  Men's Amateur                           National/Regional
Maryland Super Soccer League (MSSL)              Men's Amateur                           National/Regional
US Open Cup                                                                                                               National/Regional 
DC Premier League (DCPL)                                   Premier Only                               Regional
Central Virginia Soccer Association (CVSA)       Premier Only                              Regional

 

All United States Youth Soccer (USYS), United States Club Soccer (USCS), and National League U-18/19 matches can be used to fulfill the youth game requirement for Regional Referee Upgrade and Maintenance evaluations. Any of the above listed adult leagues can be substituted for the youth requirement. All new candidates for upgrade to Regional Referee must submit a comprehensive list of their games that count for upgrade to Regional Referee to the SDA prior to their upgrade approval.  This list should include at a minimum, the game date, league, division, teams and assignor’s name.

POSTED 4/29/2025