First Time Referee Courses
The First Time Referee Course is an introductory course for aspiring referees ages 13 and older. Students who pass the course will be eligible to officiate a variety of recreational and competitive matches for both the youth and adult games as either a referee or assistant referee depending upon age and experience. Cost: $99 (plus background check fee for those over 18, appx $25). US Soccer requires that those who register MUST be 13+ at the time of registration. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
2026 Referee Registration Period US Soccer opens the 2026 registration year on July 1, 2025. Your 2026 referee license will be valid from the time you complete ALL the requirements below through Dec 31, 2026.
There are TWO components for the First-Time Referees Course – students must complete both to be certified.
ONE – After registering for the course in the US Soccer Learning Center, you will have immediate access to the online portion of the course. The online coursework consists of modules, videos, quizzes, and updates to the Laws of the Game. You can start and stop the online modules as you need to, your work will be saved.
- Online Referee Course Modules – 4.5 hr.
- First-Time Referee Quiz - 45 mins.
- Laws of the Game Update – 20 mins.
- SafeSport (if 18 years or older)- 1 hr.
- Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments – 1 hr.
TWO – All referees are required to attend an IN PERSON Field Training Session. The field training will take approximately 3 hours and there is no additional cost.
If your club would like to host a First Time Referee Course, please click here to submit a request.
First Time Referee Courses (formerly known as Grassroots)