Our referee instructional year begins 1 July and ends in June. Referees who certify or recertify now will receive a 2026 referee badge, may begin officiating immediately, and will remain certified through December 2026.  Referees with 2025 badges may wear them through December 2025, though we highly recommend that you recertify now to receive training on the recent changes to the Laws of the Game.

We offer five paths to certification and recertification for 2026, though only one of these paths will be appropriate for you, so choose carefully.

There are separate registrations, training, certifications, and referee badges for Soccer Referees and Futsal Referees, other roles like Assignor, Mentor, and Referee Coach.  The process for registration and training is similar.  The process described below is for Soccer Referees.  When registering for a clinic, for "Official Type" select "Referee" for Soccer Referee, and select "Futsal Referee" for Futsal Referee, etc.

PATH #1: You want to become a referee for the first time and have not registered or started the online training yet.  Welcome!  You will complete a combination of online lessons and an in-person field training session.  The registration and clinic fee is $85.  Click here to begin your referee journey.

PATH #2: You want to become a referee for the first time and started the training between 1 July 2024 and 29 June 2025, but did not complete it.  We transferred you into the 2026 Carryforward Online PreClinic, so you can complete the online lessons, then attend the field training session, and be certified for 2026.  There is no additional registration fee or clinic fee for you for 2026.  Click here to continue your training as a new referee.

PATH #3: You were certified for 2025 and awarded a 2025 badge.  You need to complete the annual online training for your recertification.  Your fee for 2026 is $85. No field or classroom sessions for you.  Click here to recertify for 2026.

PATH #4: You were certified for 2023 or 2024 but did not register to recertify for 2025.  You are a lapsed referee, but can still complete the recertification process for 2026 online; no classroom or field session.  The registration and clinic fee is $85.  Click here to recertify as a lapsed referee.

PATH #5: You were certified as a referee in 2022 or earlier, but have not recertified during the past three years.  Welcome back!  You will recertify for 2026 by completing the same online lessons as the new referees and an in-person field training session.  The registration and clinic fee is $85.  Click here to begin.

For more information regarding certification and recertification, please contact your Area Director of Instruction.  Their names and contact information can be found by clicking here.

Important: Read the procedures for completing certification/recertification BEFORE registering for a clinic.  

Posted July 11, 2025