2026 Regional Referee Recertification

Click on the Regional Referee Badge below to access the US Soccer Learning Center Regional Referee Recertification Course. Successful completion will satisfy your annual recertification requirements for 2026.

Recertification Requirements

  • Review of the Regional Referee Profile and overview of the 2026 Regional Referee recertification assignments

  • Review of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Changes to the Laws of the Game (LOTG) for 2025-26

  • 3 essential tools for managing the grey areas of today’s game:

    • Football Understanding

    • Big Picture Thinking

    • Proactive Refereeing

    • Deciding when to prioritize offside versus fouls and misconduct

    • Collaborating with your referee team on offside decisions

    • Working as a team on simple decisions that may have a big effect

  • Reading the Game – Advanced Positioning for Regional Referees:

    • Scanning with purpose

    • Key concepts for positiong

    • Dynamic movement

    • Anticipation

    • Understanding A.R. movement

    • Zones of involvement

    • Connecting with the crew

    • Proactive involvement and game management

    • Pre-game preparation

    • Behavioral readiness

    • De-escalation

    • Command presence

    • The “Moment Map”

    • Referee management toolbox

    • Leadership on and off the field

    • Pre-game conference

    • Peer mentorship

    • Culture leadership behaviors

    • Training smarter

    • Demands on referees

    • Sports psychology

    • Peak performance roadmap

    • Off-season / pre-season / in season / post season

    • Injury prevention and recovery

  • You must get 50 questions correct in order to pass this quiz.

  • Topics include concussion awareness, Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), heat stroke, cold weather considerations, and lightning guidelines (30 minute presentation)

  • A JDP background check is required for those age 18 and older; cost is $23 and is good for 2 years; allow 1 week for a determination

  • Certification through the U.S. Center for SafeSport is required annually by law for those age 18 and older; a 90 minute module

  • • 1 assessment at the adult amateur level

    • 1 assessment at the highest youth level (18U/19U) in a 90-minute match

    Each assessment must be performed by a different or unique Referee Coach or National Referee Coach.

  • The Regional Referee Fitness Test consists of two parts:

    • Repeated Sprint Ability – measures the referee’s ability to perform repeated sprints over 40m

    • Interval Test – evaluates the referee’s capacity to perform a series of high-speed runs over 75m interspersed with 25m walking intervals

    Timings:

    Male – Category 1

    • Sprints: 6.4 Seconds x 6 Sprints at 40 Meters

    • Intervals: 17s per 75m Run, 20s per 25m Walk x 10 Laps

    Female – Category 3

    • Sprints: 6.6 Seconds x 6 Sprints at 40 Meters

    • Intervals: 17s per 75m Run, 24s per 25m Walk x 10 Laps

    NOTE: The time between the Sprint Test and Interval Test should be approximately 10 minutes.

IMPORTANT: As you complete each assignment, be sure to click “Save and Confirm”. To resume the course, login to the US Soccer Learning Center, go to MY COURSES, and click on RESUME for this ongoing course. Next, click on ASSIGNMENTS and pick up where you left off.