New Referee Certification Courses, which register prospective referees are available through the Wisconsin Soccer Referee Development Program. 

This course is for new, first time referees who have not been previously registered as a referee or a previously registered referee that has a lapse in registration.

New Grassroots Referee Course Requirements
1)    Complete all U.S. Soccer required assignments in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center
2)    Create a GameOfficials account
3)    Successfully complete all pre-course work
4)    Successfully complete in-person virtual course

The steps for signing up in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center and completing the Wisconsin Soccer Referee Development Program requirements are located on the WISREF website. Contact WISREF Registrar, Tom Mesalk, directly with registration questions.

General Information

Becoming a soccer referee is a great way to learn more about the sport, see the game in a new way and earn money, too.

The Madison Area Soccer Referee Unit holds U.S. Soccer Federation new Referee Courses before each season.

New Referee Course Description

You must be 13 years old or older at the time of when the clinic is held to attend the course.

The New Referee Course training is a 16-hour course divided into 8 hours online and 8 hours in class.  It is designed to provide entry-level referee skills and information to guide you to be ready and prepared for that first game assignment and many more to follow.

Pre-registration for the New Referee Course is required.  To register for a course you must create an account on the https://learning.ussoccer.com/ website where you will then sign up for a new Grassroots-First Time Referees course.  Clinics are held all over the state with many offerings in the Madison area, candidates can attend any class in the state to be certified.

For additional information please visit the MASRU website under “Training.”

For questions or concerns regarding refereeing, Laws of the Game, coach and/or spectator misbehavior, etc., contact the Referee Assignor: Brandon Wachholz.

Note: Home teams pay the full referee fee in all MAYSA league games.

• If you have any questions or comments about the referee from a game please submit the this form (U9 and above) to Madison Area Soccer Referee Unit.
• Please have this information available when submitting:
  • Your game number
  • Coach Pass ID