For upgrading to Regional Referee the Requirement for formal evaluation is as follows:

Before starting the formal evaluation process, must pass a formal practical evaluation as the referee on a competitive Senior Adult Amateur Division 2-level or above match.  The purpose of the prerequisite evaluation is to experience the evaluation process and to understand whether the referee is ready for preparing to upgrade.

1.    One match as a referee on a competitive Youth U18/19 match.  (Can substitute senior adult amateur D2-level or above match)
2.    One match as a referee on a competitive senior adult amateur Division 2 (D2) level or above match.  
3.    One match as a referee on a top-level, senior amateur, Division 1/Premier- level or above match.
4.    One match as an assistant referee (position AR1) on a top-level, senior amateur, Division 1/Premier- level or above match.

For Recertification as a Regional Referee the requirement for formal evaluation is as follows:
 
1.    One match as a referee on a competitive Youth U18/19 match.  (Can substitute senior adult amateur D2-level or above match)
2.    One match as a referee on a top-level, senior amateur, Division 1/Premier- level or above match.

Click the Related Link to the right for "Referee Certification and Recertification Requirements" to view game counts and other requirements that must be completed to become a regional referee.

Referees are still encouraged to be assessed annually to see how they are performing.

Revised 9/20/2023

** PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE SCHEDULING AN EVALUATION **

The MDCVSRP has moved to a flat fee structure for formal referee evaluations. It is no
longer tied to the match fee. The evaluation fees are currently set as follows:

Regional Referee Upgrade and Maintenance - $85
National Referee Upgrade and Maintenance - $125*

Evaluations must be completed by June 30 to meet requirements for the following year's certification.  This means that evaluations for your 2025 badge must be completed by June 30, 2024.

ALL members of the referee crew must present their USSF ID# to the mentor/referee coach/national coach prior to any evaluation game.

Revised 4/29/2025

TO REQUEST AN EVALUATION, THE FOLLOWING TWO STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED.

Step 1. 

...

The following MDCVSA adult leagues/divisions, United Soccer Leagues (USL), and have
been designated as "Top Division 1 Leagues" and or “Professional Leagues” for
evaluation of referees attempting to upgrade to or maintain a National or Regional Referee grade.

League                                                                       Division/Level                         Evaluation Acceptable Level

USL  Championship                                                Men's Professional  (D2)           National
USL Super League                                                  Women's Professional  (D1)     National
USL League 1                                                           Men's Professional  (D3)          National 
NISA                                                                           Men's Professional (D3)           National    
MLS-Next Pro                                                           Men's Professional (D3)           National 
USL League 2                                                           Men's Pre-professional             National/Regional 
USL W                                                                       Women's Pre-professional       National/Regional 
CCL Pro-23                                                               Men's Semi-Professional          National/Regional 
American Premier Soccer League (APSL)            Men's Semi-pro                          National /Regional 
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)                 Men's Semi-pro                          National/Regional 
National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)              USASA Tier 1                              National/Regional
American Premier League (APL)                          Men's Amateur                           National/Regional 
Virginia Super Soccer League (VSSL)                  Men's Amateur                           National/Regional
Maryland Super Soccer League (MSSL)              Men's Amateur                           National/Regional
US Open Cup                                                                                                               National/Regional 
DC Premier League (DCPL)                                   Premier Only                               Regional
Central Virginia Soccer Association (CVSA)       Premier Only                              Regional

POSTED 4/29/2025

Assessors, the links below will access the instruction for Development and Guiandance as well as the required forms, click the links below:

Development and Guidance Form Instructions

Referee Development and Guidance Form (complete online)

 Referee Development and Guidance Form (paper)