US Soccer
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), or US Soccer, is the certifying organization for sanctioned matches in the United States. If you want to work local leagues such as the Iowa Soccer League (ISL) or Club Development League (CDL), tournaments, Iowa State Cup or Midwest Regionals, you will need to become USSF certified as a Grassroots-level Referee.
As a Grassroots Referee, you can be assigned as either a Referee or an Assistant Referee for all youth games, including recreational and travel (or select) games. You can also be assigned to competitive youth games, depending on your age and experience. You will typically start out working the younger age groups in small-sided (7v7 or 9v9) play, and as you gain more experience, move on to the older age groups.
A Referee Assignor will schedule you for games. You will be provided a List of Assignors during the referee course. It is your responsibility to contact the assignor, let them know you completed the course, and are ready to referee games.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a USSF Grassroots Referee, visit the Become a Referee page.
USSF / AYSO Cross-Certification
Cross-certification is available to referees of USSF and AYSO who have been certified as a referee for six months or more and who are not already certified with both organizations.
All games officiated for USSF or AYSO may be applied toward the certification requirements of either USSF or AYSO. The Diagonal System of Control (DSC) is the only recognized system of control.