The USSOCCER referee registration period begins on July 1 and ends on 30 June each year. Our instructional period runs from 1 July and ends in mid-may each year.

Referees who certify or recertify now will receive a 2027 referee badge, and may begin officiating immediately and will remain certified through December 2027 and may wear their badge through December 2027.  We highly recommend that you recertify now to receive instruction on the recent changes to the Laws of the Game.

We offer five paths to certification and recertification for 2027, though only one of these paths will be appropriate for you, so choose carefully.

There are separate registrations, instruction, certifications, and referee badges for Soccer Referees and Futsal Referees, other roles like Assignor, Mentor, and Referee Coach.  The process for registration and instruction 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.