This page summarizes some of the field evaluation/Assessment requirements that are contained in the Criteria for Certifying and Upgrading a Referee in the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Referee Administrative Handbook. Referees and Assessors, within the Connecticut State Referee Program must comply with USSF policy for the purpose of Referee upgrade and recertification. Referees seeking to obtain Assessments out of State must also comply with appropriate CSRP policy for officiating out of state.

1. Type of Match: Formal assessment will only be performed on matches scheduled for 2 full 45 minutes halves, between 2 currently USSF member teams. While some assessments may require a higher level of competition, minimum age level for formal assessments will be U-19. Developmental and Guidance Assessments may be performed at any level of competition on matches of any duration. However, there is still a requirement that both teams be currently USSF affiliated.

2. Formal Assessments: These are assessments required to meet standards for referee upgrade or recertification. 

3. Officiating Team: The officiating team shall consist of a referee and 2 assistant referees using the diagonal system of control. All officials must be currently USSF registered. Formal assessments will not be performed on matches that employ one or two-man system or use any club “linesmen.”

4. Assessor: For formal assessments, only assessments assigned by the State Director of Referee Assessment (SDA) will be accepted. Assessors must be currently registered with USSF and be the appropriate grade for the level of assessment that is being performed. Additional requirements on assessor grade and assignment approval are listed below.

5. Reports: For all formal assessments, assessors will use the Report of Assessment of Game Officials form and provide written feedback to each member of the officiating team through an Assessor Feedback to Game Official form. Referees should expect to receive an oral debrief following the match and a written Feedback Report from the assessor within seven days of the match. Assessors must file their Report of Game Officials form with the SDA within 7 days of the match. 

6. Rating of Further Evaluation: If an official receives a Further Evaluation rating during the year, that official must obtain 2 acceptable assessments (in that particular position) if the assessment is required as part of an upgrade process or to meet annual recertification requirements. Example: A Grade 6 referee receives a Grade Retention rating during an annual maintenance assessment. Later in the year, this official, while refereeing a match that an assistant referee has requested an assessment, receives a rating of Further Evaluation. This referee must have another acceptable assessment as a referee in order to have 2 acceptable assessments for the Further Evaluation rating.

7. Timing of Assessments: It is the referee’s responsibility to meet the recertification and upgrade requirements within a given year. For upgrades that require multiple assessments, it is recommended that these assessments be spaced to give the official the opportunity to practice the recommendations that are provided during the feedback sessions. 

8. Number of Assessments in a Calendar Day: USSF guidelines dictate that an official may only count one assessment in any calendar day regardless of the position being assessed. For circumstances where there is more then one assessment scheduled in a day, the officials are responsible for informing the assessor(s) which match will be counted for which official. The assessor should assist the officials by reminding them of this requirement. If the officials fail to declare prior to the first match, then only the first assessment of the day will count.

REFEREE CLASS 1 (GRADE 7) UPGRADE

Type of match: Youth U-17 and above to include adult senior amateur matches.

Assessor: Any currently certified USSF Assessor (Associate Assessor through National Assessor) is qualified for this level of assessment. It is recommended that new Associate Assessors not be initially assigned upgrade assessments, even at this level, until they have gained some experience working with a mentor, conducting guidance and developmental assessments, and having gained limited experience conducting annual maintenance assessments.

Section 4. REFEREE CLASS 1 (GRADE 7) ANNUAL REQUIREMENT

Requirement: A Grade 7 referee must successfully pass a field evaluation annually as a center referee. 

Type of match: Youth U-17 and above to include adult senior amateur matches.

Assessor: Any currently certified USSF Assessor (Associate Assessor through National Assessor) is qualified for this level of assessment. 

Section 5. STATE REFEREE CLASS 2 (GRADE 6) UPGRADE

Type of match:

(1) Of the 2 field assessments as a referee, at least one must be on an adult senior amateur match. The other match may be on a Youth U19 level of competition.

(2) The field evaluation as an assistant referee must be on an adult senior amateur match or on a youth match at the U19 Youth Regional level or higher. 

Assessor: The assessor must be a currently registered USSF State Provisional Assessor or higher.

Section 6. STATE REFEREE CLASS 2 (GRADE 6) ANNUAL REQUIREMENT

Requirement: Each State Referee must obtain an annual field evaluation as a referee to fulfill registration requirements. 

Type of match: The level of competition is the same as it is for upgrade. However, it is recommended that the referee use the assessment as an opportunity to grow his/her officiating skills. Therefore the level of competition should test the official’s skills. 

Assessor: The assessor must be a currently registered USSF State Provisional Assessor or higher.

Section 7. STATE REFEREE CLASS 1 (GRADE 5) UPGRADE

Type of match: All assessments (2 referee and one assistant referee) for this level of advancement must be done at the Top Amateur Division 1 level of competition. The SRC will provide the Director of Referee Assessment with a list of those Divisions and Leagues that provide the level of competition appropriate for this level of evaluation. One of the assessments may be at the Youth U19 level, provided the match is the Regional Youth Finals (or higher). It is suggested that if possible the field evaluation for Assistant Referee be accomplished on a Professional Match (D3 level or higher).

Assessor: Every effort will be made to assign either a State Assessor, a Provisional National Assessor, or National Assessor to these matches. All assignments for this level of upgrade will be coordinated with the SDA prior to the assessment.

Section 8. STATE REFEREE CLASS 1 (GRADE 5) ANNUAL REQUIREMENT

Requirement: Each State Referee must obtain an annual field evaluation as a referee to fulfill registration requirements. 

Type of match: The level of competition is top amateur Division I league matches.

Assessor: Any Provisional State Assessor or higher. It is recommended that State 1 Referees that are preparing for advancement to National Candidate be assessed by either a Provisional National Assessor or National Assessor. This policy is for assessments assigned by the State Director of Assessment (SDA) conducted within the scope of the CSRP. Any exceptions to this policy must be submitted in writing to the SDA for approval.