NOTE: Section 1 (below) pertains only to all FIFA Referees, FIFA Assistant Referees and National Referees working a minimum of 5 MLS or WUSA matches in a given season.  All other referees certifying and re-certifying for the National Badge should refer to previously published standards (Referee Administrative Handbook).

CHICAGO (Thursday, May 2, 2002) - On April 20, 2002, the Referee Committee made the following procedural changes for National Referees and National Referee Candidates.

1) The Referee Committee authorized the following change in the assessment requirements for re-certifying National Referees:

a) For FIFA Referees: Three (3) assessments as a referee on professional league matches.

b) For National Referees working a minimum of five (5) Division 1 Professional League [1] matches as a Referee: Two (2) assessments as a Referee on professional league matches and one (1) assessment as an Assistant Referee on an amateur division 1 (or higher) game.

c) For FIFA Assistant Referees: Three (3) Assessments as an Assistant Referee on professional league matches.

d) For National Referees working a minimum of five (5) Division 1 Professional League [1] matches as an Assistant Referee: Two (2) assessments as an Assistant Referee on professional league matches and one (1) assessment as a Referee on an amateur division 1 (or higher) game.

If there is any question as to whether or not a referee falls into one of the above categories, please call Julie Ilacqua, Managing Director of Federation Services, for verification.

2) Referees wishing to become National Referee Candidates must declare their intention to do so between December 1 and December 31 of the year prior to the year they will be candidates.

Example: If a referee is eligible to become a National Referee in 2004, the Declaration Form should be completed and in our office between December 1 and December 31, 2002. Attendance at a regional/professional clinic and the successful completion of the physical fitness test there in 2003 will complete the declaration process.

3) Assessments for National Referees must be by a currently registered USSF National Assessor or an assessor approved by the National Program Office. They must be on games approved by the Referee Committee and played within the dates specified (December 1-November 30).

These changes are effective immediately.