Become A Referee
Again

The registration period is open from July 03, 2026 until June 26, 2027 for a referee re-certification course. SafeSport training is required annually and a background check is required every two years – both on the anniversary date of your last completion.

The Referee Recertification Licensing Course is available online through the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. The course is fully online and includes a variety of assignments to complete at your own pace.

Please select the link below that matches your eligibility.

• Accessing Referee Re-Certification Licensing Course

(Change Host to “South Texas Referee Committee” on Referee Re-Certification Licensing Course)

• Accessing Regional Emeritus Licensing Course
• Accessing National Emeritus Licensing Course

All USSF Soccer officials must renew their certification and registration annually. The badge/registration year runs from Jan 1st to Dec 31st. However, re-certification clinics for the next badge year start in mid July of the current year. You are expected to re-certify and register BEFORE your badge expires on December 31st.

Any referee who was not registered with the U.S. Soccer Federation the previous year may be certified at the respective certification level previously held after taking and passing the qualifying clinic, written examination, fitness test, and assessments. The following policy applies to referees who were previously certified and registered with the Federation but have lapsed a year or more in registration:

Last Certified as a Regional or more Advanced Grade

Referees need to contact the State Administrator for South Texas

 Last Certified as a Referee

1. Referees who have not been certified for 1-3 consecutive years of  registration may be re-certified as a referee after completing a referee re-certification clinic.
   
   
2. Referees who have not been certified for more than 3  years of registration can be re-certified after taking the First-time Referee Course

Last Certified as an Emeritus Referee

1. Emeritus referees who have not been certified for 1-3 consecutive years of registration may be re-certified as an Emeritus referee after completing an Emeritus Re-certification clinic.
   
   
2. Emeritus referees who have not been certified for more than 3  years of registration can be re-certified after taking the First-time Referee Course and also completing an Emeritus Re-certification clinic.

You will need to start as a first-time referee and register, complete all online assignments and attend a first-time referee licensing course with an in-person field training session.

Those licensing courses can be found on the “EVENTS” page and to register, you must sign in to your account at the U.S. Soccer Learning Center and register for the selected licensing course to obtain a 2027 badge.

If you are a U.S. Soccer certified referee from another state or an association outside of South Texas and wish to referee in South Texas, you will need to complete the required form as well as editing your profile within the U.S. Soccer Learning Center, add “South Texas State Referee Committee” to MY RELATIONSHIPS.

Please note the following items:

1. An approved background screening through the U.S. Soccer Learning Center is required
2. A satisfactory completed and current SafeSport Training module through the U.S. Soccer Learning Center is required

Complete the following form or contact the STSR State Administrator – Email: sra@stxref.org | Voice: 210-948-0289

If you are new to South Texas but were certified in another region of Texas or the United States, starting for your 2027 certification, email U.S.Soccer Referee Department or call U.S. Soccer at (312) 528-1296 for assistance.