Who are AYSO referees?

All volunteers, they are us. Many referees start when their children are young and move up with them. Referee training is provided for all age groups and levels.

Why does AYSO need volunteer referees?

AYSO is 100 percent volunteer organization; we all do it for the kids. Each season we need as many referees as coaches if not more; refereeing is easier and less of a time commitment. AYSO is about playing Fun, Fair and Safe. Our referee training is what makes it possible. If there is no official to referee a game the kids don't get to play.

How do I become an AYSO referee?

You must first complete an AYSO volunteer application form and be approved as an AYSO volunteer by your local AYSO Region. Once you are approved as a volunteer, the training to become an AYSO referee is provided to you for free. You should check our Referee section of our website for training requirements and dates.  You can also contact our Region's Referee Administrator,  Mark Westley @ [email protected]

Where do I buy my uniform? Does my Region pay for this?

Referee uniforms are available from a variety of sources. We recommend supporting our National Sponsors like SCORE and The AYSO Store. AYSO 599 San Luis Obispo provides a free uniform to the volunteers who become certified referees in their Region.

Can I referee my own child's games?

There is no national rule prohibiting a referee from refereeing their own child's game.  While we discourage refereeing your own child's game it is a common practice during the regular season matches.  For end-of-season tournament matches, it is only allowed as a last resort if no other referees are available for the game.  This is to protect you as the referee by preventing accusations of unfair calls from the opposing team.

What is Safe Haven?

AYSO makes a commitment to provide a safe place for children to play and compete. The referee has a responsibility to help make the environment safe, as well as fun. To ensure the safety of both children and volunteers, each volunteer is required to take a short  online training session called Safe Haven™. It focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as first aid and other on-field issues. Agreeing to a background check is also required for each volunteer.

Safe Haven™ is a unique program that all AYSO volunteers are required and how we can all participate in making the AYSO experience a positive one for our kids. A referee who has been Safe Haven™ certified will be entitled to legal protection for work as a referee under the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.

Is prior soccer experience required to officiate?

No, but some familiarity with soccer is certainly a plus. Coaches, parents, players and other volunteers have all proved to be excellent referees even if they have never played soccer. Youth referees are welcome starting at age 10 for 8U and can become a Regional Referee and officiate 10U games at age 12!

I am a soccer player and understand the game very well; can I just take the certification test and avoid some or all of the beginning course?

Currently this is not an option. However, an online Basic Referee Training course is currently used in our Region. It will take less time to complete for those already familiar with the game or for those who would prefer to take their time and learn at their own pace in the comfort of their own home. Many of those who have played the game and think they know the Laws of the Game are surprised to find out how much there is to learn when they actually start studying to become a referee. Attending a face to face training course with an experienced instructor is a valuable learning experience.

What are the certification levels?

There are the six certification levels for AYSO referees. Here is a brief description of the referee specific training requirements for each (additional training courses are required for all AYSO volunteers regarding child safety):

8U Official 
(minimum age 10) 
Complete the 8U Official Course and pass the 8U Official Exam at aysou.org.

Assistant Referee 
(minimum age 12) 
Complete the Assistant Referee Course and pass the Assistant Referee Exam.

Regional Referee 
(minimum age 12) 
Complete the Online Regional Referee Course and attend the in-person Regional Referee Companion Course and pass the Regional Referee Exam.

Intermediate Referee 
(minimum age 14) 
Complete 25 games as referee with at least (5) in the 12U age division, complete the Intermediate Referee Course, pass the Intermediate Referee Exam and be (observed) mentored in a 12U game.

Advanced Referee 
(minimum age 16) 
Complete 50 games as referee with at least (10) in 14U age division and (5) as an assistant referee in the 14U division, complete the Advanced Referee Course, pass the Advanced Referee Exam, pass one assessment as referee and one as assistant referee in a 14U match, pass the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

National Referee 
(minimum age 18) 
Complete 100 games as referee with at least 30 in 16U/19U games and 25 as Assistant Referee with at least 10 in 19U, complete the National Referee Course, pass the National Referee Exam, pass two assessments as referee in 16U or 16U matches and one as assistant referee in a 19U match, complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

Who is the Referee Administrator? What do they do?

The Referee Administrator is the person responsible for implementing the AYSO National Referee Program in specific parts of the country (Region, Area, Section or National).  Our Regional Referee Administrator is Mark Westley  [email protected]

Do I have to referee little kids before I can referee the older kids?

There is no requirement to referee younger players before refereeing older players. You may request referee assignments at whatever age level you feel comfortable. Refereeing at the various age levels requires different skills and just because the players are young doesn't necessarily mean the games are easier - they are different! Managing six or seven year olds (and their parents) and managing 14 or 15 year olds requires different skills. Officiating at the 16/18U is by invitation of the RRA.

What do I do if I have a problem at a game with a coach or a spectator?

E-mail and/or call the Regional Commissioner, Coach Administrator, Referee Administrator, and/or the volunteer staff at the Referee Tent at Damon  or the 6U Division Coordinator at Hawthorne  all incidents in which a coach or a spectator behaves in a way that makes a game something other than a safe, positive, enjoyable growth experience for the children.

Is it safe for a teenage player or sibling to referee?

Teenagers who already like soccer have no trouble adapting at all - they know the game and what it takes to keep it safe, fair and fun. The training and time refereeing games can also earn them community service points as AYSO is a non-profit, volunteer, community organization.

Official USSF Referee Uniform

Gold jersey with black accents, black cuffs (long sleeve) or no cuff (short sleeve); black shorts; black socks with three stripe white top; black shoes.

Official Alternate USSF Referee Jerseys

Black jersey with white accents, black collar, black cuffs (long sleeve) or no cuffs (short sleeve).
Red jersey with black stripes, black cuffs (long sleeve) or no cuffs (short sleeve).
Blue jersey with black stripes, black cuffs (long sleeve) or no cuffs (short sleeve).
Green jersey with black stripes, black cuffs (long sleeve) or no cuffs (short sleeve).

The blue or green jersey may be worn when the gold, black or red jerseys will not provide a clear contrast to either team's shirt colors.

Uniformity on the part of officials establishes initial credibility for them as a team. The referee and ARs should wear shirts of similar color and style. If the referee wears an alternate jersey of a color that the ARs do not have, the ARs' jerseys, whenever possible, should match each other.

What is the appropriate referee badge for AYSO referees?

The only badge appropriate for referees to wear during AYSO games is the current AYSO referee certification level badge earned by the referee. Exceptions: An International Referee may wear his or her FIFA badge; and, if provided, special referee tournament badges may be worn by referees during that tournament's games.

Are referees permitted to wear a cast or splint while refereeing?

The AYSO National Rules and Regulations prohibit players from participating in practices or games while wearing a cast or splint (even with a doctor's permission). However, there is no such prohibition for referees to officiate while wearing a cast or splint even if they are youth referees. The likelihood of an injury to players occurring from contact with the referee's cast or splint is very remote. Some padding on the cast may add a measure of protection.

May referees wear hats or sunglasses?

USSF has modified their recommendations related to the use of referee caps to enhance their support for the health and safety of referees. The detailed information along with some good tips can be found at:

AYSO/USSF Hats and Sunglasses

AYSO will immediately apply the updated recommendations as follows. If a referee wears a cap, the following requirements apply:

• The cap must not endanger the safety of the official or the players.
• The cap should be solid black or predominately black color.
• The cap may display the logo of AYSO (preferred), USSF, or FIFA, but should not display other logos, slogans, or commercial marks.

Who is responsible for the players' Medical Release Forms?

It is the coach's responsibility to be in possession of the Medical Release Forms at all practices and games. Referees are not required, nor recommended, to ask coaches to prove that they have players' Medical Release Forms in their possession at games. Referees should not require coaches to produce the forms at matches as this would, in effect, put the referee in the position of assuming a responsibility that properly belongs with the coach.

Are referees required to see a "Participation Release Form" before allowing a player to participate in games following a known serious injury or sickness which required professional medical attention?

No, this is not the referee's responsibility. It is the coach's responsibility to see and provide the Region Safety Director and/or Regional Commissioner with a copy of the form.