PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE PROCESS, ENSURE YOU MEET THE REQUIREMENTS...

1. SOCCER EXPERIENCE: Licensed by US Soccer in 2024, 2025, AND 2026 and proven ability to serve as a referee at the top youth level (U-19 State Cup) AND at all levels of adult competitive soccer. You must be an Idaho Advanced Referee to begin the process toward Regional Referee.

2. COST: 

   • • For a new regional referee candidate: $287.50 (which includes your registration and the required 3 on field assessments by a referee coach to re-license next year) plus a $22 background check every 2 years ($150 if you have lived internationally). 

     • For a returning regional referee: $212.50 (which includes your registration and the required 2 on field assessments by a referee coach) plus a $22 background check every 2 years ($150 if you have lived internationally). 

3. SKILLS: You should model current teaching from US Soccer and effectiveness in all areas of attitude and referee performance. As a regional referee, you will represent our state and need to do so with excellence on and off the field. 

STEPS 5-6 MUST BE DONE FIRST AND IN ORDER...

4. APPROVAL: All regional referee candidates need approval of the SRC Executive Board to enter the process. The Board will evaluate your readiness to take this step after gaining input from our first-hand observation of you and reports from mentors and referee coaches. You can request this permission to begin the process by contacting the State Director of Instruction/Assessment.

5. ONLINE CLASS: Once you receive permission, register here for new regional referee candidate class (coming soon) or here for returning regional referee class (coming soon) and complete 100% of the online course material before you continue to the next step.

BEGIN STEP 6 ONCE STEPS 4-5 ARE COMPLETE. YOU CAN DO STEPS 6-8 IN ANY ORDER.

6. FITNESS TEST: pass the fitness test annually. This year's date will be set once candidates are identified. Fitness tests can take place out of state provided they come from a licensed referee mentor or referee coach and results are sent to Idaho directly. A complete explanation of the test and audio files for practice are at the bottom of this page.

7. REFEREE COACH EVALUATION: Be evaluated 3 times (2 times for returning regionals) by a licensed referee coach assigned by the SDA. You must be in a referee position on adult match (the SDA can approve 1 highly competitive U17, 18, or 19 match for upgrade, but not for maintenance). The match must be competitive and you must have full crew of 3-4 referees. Plan to visit with the referee coach for about 20 minutes following the match and receive a printed report. Evaluations can take place out of state provided you have permission from the SDA first and both the games and the referee coach meets the critera. For new regional referees, at least 1 of the evaluations must be done in Idaho. As the year goes on, opportunities to be evaluated become more slim and availability of referee coaches dwindles. You are STRONGLY encouraged to do your evaluations in the spring. Request a referee coach evaluation here 

8. LICENSE: After you have completed 100% of all the steps listed above, you will receive an email with your license. Your referee badge will be mailed to you within 2-3 weeks. Your license is valid for a calendar year (January-December), then you must relicense each year. We begin re-licensing in July each year. 

9. NEXT STEP: Get national level training and exposure, move toward professional soccer by considering National Referee. Talk to the SRA, SDA, or SDI for additional information. If you are ready to retire from Regional Referee and are at least 45 years old, consider Regional Emeritus Referee. Regional Referees are also deeply valued as Mentors.