How to Register to Become a New Referee
The Grassroots First-Time Referee course is for candidates who haven’t previously been registered as a referee, or for previously registered referees who have had a lapse in certification (2024 or prior lapse). Minimum age per US Soccer policy is 13 years old at the time of registering for the course.
The total cost of the course is $75. A background check, if 18 or older, is an additional $24 (for a 2-yr period). Once the Referee Candidate successfully completes the requirements and are licensed, their name and address will be sent to the WYSA for their $40.00 course fee reimbursement.
GRASSROOTS FIRST-YEAR REFEREE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Complete all U.S. Soccer required assignments in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center
- Successfully complete in-person course (on-field session)
- Create account in WisRef Assigning platform
This is a 12-hour course:
- 8 hours in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center (on your own)
- Online Referee Course Modules (4) (Introduction, Preparing for, During & After the Game)
- Laws of the Game Update
- Introduction to Safe and Health Playing Environments
- First-Time Referee Quiz
- Background Check (if 18 years or older) – must CLEAR background screening before requesting attendance at the On-Field Training Session. Allow a minimum of 10-14 days for processing of Background Check.
- SafeSport Training (if 18 years or older)
- When the above Modules are 100% complete, then attendance at an In-person On-Field Training Session can be scheduled. Some tournaments take place near the end of August, so schedule your On-Field Training Session appropriately.
- 3 hours WisRef In-Person session (On-Field session) with instructors
- Creation of a WisRef Assigning Platform account
After successful completion of the above, you will be registered as a new 2025 Grassroots Referee.
To register for a NEW First-Time Referee course:
Check the NEW Referee course details in the US Soccer Learning Center for the dates/locations where the In-Person on-field Sessions will be held. Many new In-Person on-field Sessions are being added.
WisRef utilizes 2 platforms. Registration and learning are within the US Soccer Learning Center. Game assignments, after completing all requirements, will be in the WisRef GameOfficials platform. Steps, to be completed fully and in order:
- Go to US Soccer’s Learning Center at: https://Learning.ussoccer.com/referee.
- If you have not set up a profile, you must click on SIGNUP, in the upper right, complete all information to create your Learning Center Account and click Continue.
- Once your profile is set up, simply log in. While logged in, click on COURSES at top of the page, goes to AVAILABLE COURSES, OR, in another webpage, go to this course (click on this link) while logged in to the Learning Center on another tab: https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee/courses/available/10000006/list , which shows 2026 WI New
Referee Course-Register here. If it comes up to a page that says UPCOMING FIRST-TIME REFEREES and just lists courses in other states, on that page, click HOST, go to the bottom of the list and select Wisconsin State Referee Committee. - Click on COURSE DETAILS > on the right to register for online assignments.
- Once registered, click on COURSES at top, then MY COURSES, then RESUME/Red Arrow and click on the ASSIGNMENTS tab at top of page to complete the online requirements. Assignments will show in GREEN and marked “satisfactory” when completed.
- When the Online Assignments are 100% completed, email sue@wisref.org to request a Field Training Session. Online assignments need to be completed 48 hours before the start of a requested Field Training Session. There are NO refunds.
WisRef has partnered with the WYSA to offer a $40.00 reimbursement for those who successfully complete the 2026 requirements to be registered as a NEW Referee. The reimbursements will be processed during September.
If you have registration or certification questions, please email Sue Walter at sue@wisref.org.