There are two choices for becoming a new USSF-certified referee:

Grade 9 – Recreational Referee
At this level, you can be the Referee on any recreational youth game U-12 and younger, and Assistant Referee on any game U-14 or below.  This would qualify you to referee all WAYS Recreational games, as well as being an Assistant Referee on Signature games in the younger divisions.
* For youth referees, this is the easiest option to get started since you will generally not be refereeing games above your own age. Cal South states the center must be at least 2 years older than the players on the field.

Grade 8 – Referee
At this level, you can be a Referee or Assistant Referee on all youth games, including competitive (club) games.  This would qualify you to referee all WAYS Recreational games up to U-19, all Signature games up to U-15, and participate in competitive tournament games in local referee associations.
For adults and high school age youth referees, this is the typical entry level since it opens up other opportunities beyond WAYS recreational games.
 

Effective March 2014, the registration process for New Entry Grade 8 referees will be as follows:
1)    Interested individuals will register online and pay their USSF registration fee. ($45)
2)    Next, they will register and pay for a 4 hour field training they wish to attend. ($10)
3)    Then, they will have to complete the USSF Grade 8 online modules and exam.
USSF is providing Cal South the online module test results on a weekly basis. Cal South is able to verify if the whole module was viewed, any failed attempts and their passing score. Cal South will use this report that is generated on Wednesdays to verify if a registered member completed this pre-course assignment. Upon verification, each individual will be emailed to confirm they are allowed to attend the field portion of the course scheduled for that weekend.  Absolutely no Walk-in’s will be allowed.
Field portions will be held at each location in two sessions, a morning session and afternoon session. This will allow a more flexible time frame from which individuals can choose from. At the end of their field session, they will be given their badge. The field sessions will have bigger turn outs and Cal South will provide a team of instructors for each.

Locations have been selected based on previous years requested locations and Cal South’s best efforts to strategically select locations within a reasonable travel distance for all.
For those interested in registering for a New Entry Grade 8 please refer to the Referee Tab at www.CalSouth.com and select a “Grade 8” session closest to where you live.
 
Effective March 2014, the registration process for New Entry Grade 9 referees will be as follows:
1)    Interested individuals will register online and pay their USSF registration fee. ($40)
2)    They will then have to complete the USSF Grade 9 online modules and exam.
On-field training will then be provided by WAYS or a local referee association.  WAYS typically trains new referees during our pre-season. Sometimes we are able to organize in-game training sessions during the regular fall and spring seasons.