National Referee

This is the highest badge for an AYSO referee. A national referee is qualified to referee AYSO games at all levels. A National referee has passed a difficult examination of the laws of the game with a score of 90% or greater, has passed a rigorous fitness test, has served as an advanced referee for at least a year, and has refereed at least 100 games as a center referee, with 25 of them at the U16 or U19 level and 30 games as an AR at that level. They have been assessed twice as a center referee and once as an assistant referee by senior referees. Just over 2% of all referees nationwide have National badges. To request an observation or formal assessment, complete a Mentoring Request form.

A new National Referee Course is designed as a residence course 18 hours in length. This course incorporates the concepts previously taught in the old National 2 and National 1 courses.

Requirements

• Minimum age - 18)
• Number of Games - 100 as referee with at least 30 in U-16 and U-19 matches of which at least 15 must be in U-19, if available, and 25 as Assistant Referee with at least 10 in U-19, if available. The Section Referee Administrator may authorize substitution of U-16 for U-19, if U-19 matches are not available
• Training - Complete the National Referee Course. A pre-requisite game count of at least 80 matches as referee prior to attending the National Referee Course is required.
• Testing - 90% or better on the National Referee Exam
• Assessment - Two assessments as referee in U-16 or U-19 with at least one in U-19, if available, and one as assistant referee in a U-19 match, if available. The Section Referee Administrator may authorize substitution of U-16 for U-19, if U-19 matches are not available
• Fitness Test - Complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test for this level
• Service - Do an additional five service units.