USSF Grades Explained
All referees affiliated with FIFA have a designated referee grade. The grade indicates the qualification of the referee to officiate at various levels of local, national and international soccer competition. There is a common misconception that these grades are related to elementary or secondary school grades - they're not, they are assigned by USSF.
Grade 1 Referees: Referees who officiate in the World Cup and international matches are designated as Grade 1.
Grade 2 Referees: Assistant Referees to Grade 1 Referees are designated as Grade 2.
Grade 3 and 4 Referees: In the United States, competition at the national level (including professional soccer and MLS) requires Grade 3 or 4. Grade 3 indicates the referee's readiness to be considered for international service.
Grade 5 and 6 Referees: The highest level of competition within a state (amateur leagues beyond youth) requires a Grade 5 or 6 where Grade 5 indicates the referee's readiness to be considered for national service.
Grade 7 Referees: Grade 7 is an experienced referee in the state qualified to officiate all but the highest levels of amateur soccer.
Grade 8 Referees: Most referees begin their careers as Grade 8 having taken the entry training course.
As referees advance to higher grades they are required to demonstrate their continued qualification for their grade through "maintenance" assessments and sustained high level competition experience. Each referee at Grade 7 or higher is also required to successfully pass a physical fitness field examination which includes distance, agility and speed tests. The results of this testing are recorded to fulfill part of the annual registration / recertification qualifications. In rare circumstances referees who fail to maintain their qualifications are "down graded" and this is reflected on their next registration.
Thinking Of Upgrading ?
To request an upgrade, please use the "Upgrade Request Form" and complete the "Referee Game Log" forms.
To Be Scheduled for an Upgrade
If upgrading from a Grade 8 fill out the forms below and send them to your District Referee Administrator
If upgrading from a Grade 7 or 6 please fill out both forms and send to SAMIR YASA
Indiana Upgrade Guidelines
Upgrading from Grade 8 to Grade 7 – The referee must have 75 US Soccer sanctioned/affiliated games as a referee and 25 US Soccer sanctioned/affiliated games as an Assistant Referee. The referee MUST request the upgrade and provide the game count. This grade will NOT be refereeing any U17 or higher games unless there are no available grade 7A or higher referees.
Upgrading from Grade 8 to Grade 7A – The referee must pass one (1) on field assessment on a U17 US Soccer sanction/affiliated game. The assessment fee is $75 and must be given to the assessor before the game.
Upgrading from Grade 7 to Grade 6 – The referee must pass two (2) on field assessments. One of the two assessments MUST be a Youth game U17 or higher US Soccer sanctioned/affiliated game. The Second game MUST be an adult US Soccer sanctioned/affiliated game. The referee is responsible to pay the assessor for the 1st game he/she is assessed on. The assessment fee is $75 and must be given to the assessor before the game.
Click below to view detailed information about upgrading:
Grade 7-8-9 Upgrade Criteria
Grade 6 Upgrade Criteria
Grade 5 Upgrade Criteria
Advanced Clinic
The advanced clinic and fitness test for 2020 is being held on August 3, 2019 at Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis
The address for Park Tudor School is 7200 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240
The fitness test will begin at 8:30am. At the completion of the fitness test we will move inside to begin the clinic.
Everyone must arrive between 7:30am-8:15am to register. DO NOT BE LATE!
This course is for all referees either recertifying as a grade 6 or have been approved for upgrade to grade 6 as well as those recertifying as a grade 7. After completing this course you will be certified for the 2020 season. In order to upgrade or to maintain your current grade you MUST attend the classroom session after passing the USSF exam online.
ANY REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED FROM THE CLASS DUE TO AN UNAVOIDABLE CONFLICT OR EMERGENCY MUST BE SUBMITTED TO SAMIR AT LEAST 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE CLASS.
All advanced referees, Grade 7 and above, are required to attend the Advanced Clinic session each year and pass the fitness test to upgrade or maintain their advanced grade.
Fitness Test
Indiana referees who are Grade 7 or Grade 6 are required to pass a fitness test to upgrade/maintain their advanced grade.
The ISRA fitness test uses the following qualifying times:
Sprint Portion
Six (6) 40 meter sprints in under 6.6 seconds each
Interval Portion
Four (4) 75 meter runs and four (4) 25 meter walks per lap, 10 laps.
You must sprint the 75 meters in 17 seconds.
You must then must walk the 25 meters in 20 seconds.
Medical Waiver
Everyone must sign a medical waiver before participating in the fitness test. Click here to download a copy and bring it with you to the advanced clinic.
We know there may be an emergency that may require you to request not to attend the Advance Clinic. Please note, the SRA's definition of emergency for not attended is a medical condition for a family member.
If you have attended an out of state fitness test or clinic, you will not be allowed to do this for the 2020 recertification because it gives the wrong impression that you are attempting to circumvent the requirement. If you can't attend the Indiana Advance Clinic and have attending another state's in 2018 or 2019, you will need to register when you attend the clinic or fitness test.