The Pathway to Become a Pro Referee

If you watched the men’s FIFA World Cup—and let’s be honest, who didn’t?—you might have been surprised to hear that it was the first all-women team refereeing one of the matches. Kathryn Nesbitt became the first woman to ref a championship match in MLS history in 2020, and now she’s made it to the men’s World Cup. So if seeing Nesbitt on the pitch making calls and keeping up with the best of them has inspired you to look into reffing, we’ve got the breakdown for you.

Where Do I Start?

First things first, you have to get registered. As a Soccerista, you know the rules of soccer—even if you still struggle with some of the nuances of off-sides just like the rest of us. But becoming a ref will really test your knowledge in real time. You might be used to being in action but not so well acquainted with watching it critically.

Everyone starts somewhere, and cutting your teeth with an AYSO or a community position is the best place to start. These games will be easier to learn because the players are also still learning. Every game is important, but these will at least be a bit more low-stakes. AYSO offers really great ref training programs so that you can get certified as an assistant and head ref.

Moving Up the Ranks

Once you’ve gotten your feet wet, it’s time to dive in. You can become a referee through U.S. Soccer after registering and completing the required training and assessments. This is the absolute bare minimum required even to be considered to ref for the U.S. or its affiliates.

Once you’ve done this program and are recognized by U.S. Soccer, you can enroll in the PRO staff training through Capelli Sport. Becoming a PRO or PRO2 referee will be a pathway to higher-profile games through NWSL, MLS, and USL. 

We make it sound super easy, but tons of time and effort go into being a soccer referee. But if you’re dedicated to the game and want to understand it from all sides, this is definitely the path for you. In addition, reffing can be a great way to earn some extra cash and stay connected to the game. After all, this is just Nesbitt’s side hustle. Off the pitch, she’s a chemistry professor!

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