To provide uniform standards for soccer referees in the United States, the US Soccer Referee Committee has adopted the following referee grades. These grades supersede all grades that may have been adopted by state associations and leagues so that uniform and comparative grading exists throughout the United States.

Grade 12 - United States Soccer Federation Assistant Referee
Minimum Age: 18
Badge: USSF Assistant Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: Assistant Referee on all adult and youth games

Grade 9 - United States Soccer Federation Recreational Referee
Minimum Age: None
Badge: USSF Recreational Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: Referee on recreational youth games under-14 and younger only and assistant referee on any game U-14 or below

Grade 8 - United States Soccer Federation Referee
Minimum Age: None
Badge: USSF Referee, with current year
Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games, assistant referee in comparable games

Grade 7 - United States Soccer Federation Referee
Minimum Age: 17
Badge: USSF Referee, with current year
Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and mixed leagues, assistant referee in all adult games below the top division.

Grade 6 - United States Soccer Federation State Referee
Minimum Age: 18
Badge: USSF State Referee, with current year
Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and adult amateur games through second division and assistant referee in the top adult division and Amateur Cup games.

Grade 5 - United States Soccer Federation State Referee
Minimum Age: 19
Badge: USSF State Referee, with current year
Recommended Assignment Level: All youth games and adult games including first division and assistant referee in professional league and international cup games.

Grade 4 - United States Soccer Federation National Referee
Minimum Age: 23
Badge: USSF National Referee, with current year
Recommended Assignment Level: All games except formal FIFA International matches; assistant referee for international matches U. S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

Grade 3 - United States Soccer Federation National Referee
Minimum Age: 23
Badges: USSF National Referee, with current year
Recommended Assignment Level: All games except formal FIFA international
matches.
U. S. Citizen or Permanent Resident,
By invitation of US Soccer

Grade 2 - United States Soccer Federation International Assistant Referee
Minimum Age: 23
Badge: FIFA Assistant Referee, with current year, on international matches*
Recommended Assignment Level: All games
U. S. Citizen
By nomination by US Soccer

Grade 1 - United States Soccer Federation International Referee
Minimum Age: 25
Badge: FIFA, with current year
Recommended Assignment Level: All games
U.S. Citizen
By nomination by US Soccer

The United States Soccer Federation grade and title of an official will be determined solely by the standards and examinations issued by the US Soccer Referee Committee and the United States Soccer Federation Board of Directors. Annual re-examination is required. A referee must officiate at the next - higher level to accumulate experience to be certified competent at that level. Assignors must exercise care to increase the difficulty level of the game assignments in a gradual and orderly manner for the good of the official and of the players.