2026 Advanced Referee Upgrade Procedure
NCSRA'S 2026 Advanced Grade (NC State/Regional) Upgrade Process
(Referees must be 18 years old and certified for 2 full years to be eligible to upgrade to an advanced grade referee)
If you were asked to run the PFT, would you be able to pass that test now? If yes, please continue. If no, please wait to start this process until you think you can pass.
To upgrade to an Advanced Grade Referee here in NC, your 1st step is to complete the Upgrade Declaration Form from the template below and submit your match log on the approved excel template, to all ARA'S and our State Assignment Coordinator (SAC) Cliff Clement for approval. (All those emails are included in the template below) Once Cliff approves your match log, you can then start on the Advanced Grade Requirements/Coursework below.
UPGRADE DECLARATION EMAIL TEMPLATE
Click here to download a blank match log template.
2026 NC State Referee Upgrade Info/Requirements
(This is an in-state advanced grade for NC Referees)
NC State Match Log Requirement
25 Whistles and 15 AR'S on any U-15 or Higher Match
(All Matches for your match log MUST be 11v11 USSF Sanctioned full length matches. U15 and above with 40-minute halves.)
NC State PFT Requirement (NC State PFT)
(direct link for the 2025 PFT Sign Up Form is below)
6 x 40m sprints: 8.00 seconds or less per sprint
40 x 75m/25m intervals: maximum 20 seconds per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk (10 total laps)
NC State Assessment Requirement
1 passing assessment on any U-15 or higher match by an approved Referee Mentor or any Ref Coach. Your local ARA/Assignors will be your points of contact in getting you assigned to an assessable match with a Referee Mentor or Ref Coach. The direct link to this assessment payment is below. You must pay for your assessment before scheduling that assessment.
2026 NC State Assessment Payment Direct Link
2026 New Regional Referee Course and New Regional Referee Test for NC State Referees To Complete
2026 NEW Regional Referee Course Parts 1-3
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2026 NEW Regional Referee Course Parts 4-6
2026 NEW Regional Referee Course Parts 7-9
2025 Regional Referee Upgrade Info/Requirements
Regional Referee Match Log Requirement
25 Whistles and 15 AR'S on adult armature matches (some may be u18/19 matches)
(All Matches for your match log MUST be 11v11 USSF Sanctioned full length matches. U18/19/adult. 45 minute halves)
Regional Referee Assessment Requirements
3 passing assessments. 1 can be a U18/19 match. 2 must be adult armature matches. Must be 3 different Ref Coaches. (1 can be an approved Referee Mentor) Your local ARA/Assignors will be your points of contact in getting you assigned to an assessable match with a Referee Mentor or Ref Coach. The direct links to the 3 assessment payments are below. You must pay for your assessment before scheduling that assessment.
2026 Regional Referee Assessment Payment 1 ($100)
2026 Regional Referee Assessment Payment 2 ($120)
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2026 Regional Referee Assessment Payment 3 ($120)
2026 NEW Regional Referee Course Parts 1-3
2026 NEW Regional Referee Course Parts 4-6
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2026 NEW Regional Referee Course Parts 7-9
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2026 PFT Sign-Up Form/Currently Scheduled PFT’S
(once additional PFT'S are scheduled across the state, they will be added to this form here for sign-up)
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