Become a Referee!
New Soccer Referees
Ready to referee? Get certified, stay active, and earn extra income while giving back to your local soccer community. We'll walk you through every step so you can get on the field with confidence.
Renew Your Certification
Renew your certification and stay eligible to keep officiating the game you love. Complete your annual requirements, brush up on the latest Laws of the Game, and be ready for kickoff.
New Officials
New Referees 12 and Under
Begin Your Recreational Referee Journey
We're so glad you are becoming Kansas Referee Development Program Recreational Referee! The Kansas Referee Development Group (KRDP) is here to support you through the entire journey.
We have several upcoming clinics in Overland Park for 12 year olds interested in refereeing! Below are the days/times, however pre-registration and payment is required:
- August 8th - 2pm-6pm
- August 9th - 9am-1pm
- August 30th - 9am-1pm
- September 5th - Noon-4pm (in Lawrence, NOT Overland Park)
- September 13th - 9am-1pm
- October 10th - 9am-1pm
Steps To Register & Get Certified
NOTE: On the PlayMetrics platform it will say "Player", but we're registering your "Referee". The wording was not able to be adjusted.
- Create a PlayMetrics account & verify your email address
- Finish setting up your account & verify mobile number
- Add "Referee" (it will say "Player") information and click "Finish" (you do not have to upload a photograph)
- Under "Available Programs" click "Register" for "2026/27 12 and Under Referees"
- Select an upcoming in-person training paying close attention to the location and date
- Complete the registration & payment process
You'll receive a confirmation email at the conclusion of the registration process. Participants and their parents/guardians will receive additional correspondence the week of the training. No pre-course work is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when I turn 13?
After completing this course, you will have a white KRDP logo badge until you turn 13 years old. Once you turn 13...
- You will be prompted to create an account in the US Soccer Learning Center and complete the online training modules
More information will be sent your way (to the referee and parent/guardian listed in PlayMetrics) once you hit your 13th birthday.
Are there limits to what games I can and cannot referee as a 12 year old?
Yes. In fact, there are only a few leagues in the state of Kansas who will utilize 12 year old referees. Please check with the league with whom you would like to work prior to completing the certification process.
Leagues utilizing the independent contracting services of 12 y/o referees, can only place those officials on small sided matches (9v9, 7v7, 5v5 etc). They are eligible to work in either the referee or assistant referee position.
I'm mature for my age and understand the game, can I just go through the 13 and up course?
No. The 13 and up course requires attendees to complete online course requirements through the US Soccer Learning Center in advance. In order to create an account to access the Learning Center, you must have a birthdate reflecting that you are at least 13 years of age.
New Referees 13 and Older
Beginning Your Referee Journey
We're so glad you are becoming Kansas Referee Development Program Recreational Referee! The Kansas Referee Development Group (KRDP) is here to support you through the entire journey.
Referees 13 & older must complete a hybrid course; half online modules and the other half an in-person training. The online coursework must be completed in its entirety prior to attending the in-person training.
Steps to Register & Get Certified
- Create an account (with the referee's name, email & DOB, not the parent) in the US Soccer Learning Center (after reading all instructions, click the hyperlink below to do so)
- After creating your account, hover over “Courses” and click on “Available courses”.
- Click on “Go to course list” on the right side of the screen.
- Search “Kansas State Referee Committee” under “Host”.
- Register for the appropriate 2027 First Time Referee course. Pay close attention to the location and date (listed in the title of the course).
- Complete all of the course assignments, and attend the field session.
*When creating a US Soccer Learning Center account, input the referee's date of birth not the parent/guardian's. If registering multiple referees, each referee must have a unique email address.*
Click Here to Create a Referee Profile
Questions? Reach out to referee@kansasyouthsoccer.org.
Returning Officials
Quick Links
- US SOCCER LEARNING CENTER
- HOW TO FIND SAFE SPORT
- HOW TO COMPLETE SAFE SPORT
Referees 13 & Older
Outdoor Referee Recertification Guidelines (13 y/o & older)
2027 Referee Recertification is OPEN
CLICK HERE to access the fully online recertification process and modules through the US Soccer Learning Center.
Got certified at 12 y/o and now you're 13 and want to upgrade? Click here for more information.
Questions? Email referee@kansasyouthsoccer.org.
My badge says 2026
You need to re-certify for 2027. Follow the link found above.
My badge says 2025 or 2024
Complete the online recertification linked above to get back out on the field.
My badge says 2023
You will need to attend a first time referee training.
12 & Under KRDP Badge
12 & UNDER WITH A WHITE BADGE
If you are 12 years old with a white badge and have received notification that you need to re-certify, please email referee@kansasyouthsoccer.org.
We're in the process of changing over the registration platform for our 12 & under non-USSF recreational referees and will need to provide you additional guidance once that is up and running. The anticipated launch date is July 12, 2026.
13 & OLDER WITH A WHITE BADGE
If you are now 13 years old but still have a white badge and have received notification that you need to re-certify, please email referee@kansasyouthsoccer.org.
We're in the process of changing over the registration platform for our 12 & under non-USSF recreational referees and will need to provide you additional guidance once that is up and running. The anticipated launch date is July 12, 2026.
You will be required to complete additional online modules through the US Soccer Learning Center to receive full US Soccer Referee licensure. Please do not complete these steps until prompted.
Here are the steps needed to complete your conversion course to become a fully licensed US Soccer Referee for the duration of 2026 and all of 2027. This process is completely online:
- Complete this form and corresponding action step: https://forms.gle/2u3QwZBt6LBEW1cAA
- Once you’ve completed the form and created a US Soccer Learning Center account, send an email to referee@kansasyouthsoccer.org with a note that says "I've registered *insert name of referee* in the 12 to 13 y/o conversion course”. (I know, it’s irritating and clunky. We’re working on a better solution for the future.)
- You’ll then be placed in the correct course and receive an email from the US Soccer Learning Center to register, pay ($80) and complete all of the online modules.
- Once the entirety of the online course is completed, a green badge will be mailed to your home address listed in the Learning Center. Your certification is good through December 31st of the year listed on the badge.
KRDP Referee Pathway
Step 1: Local Leagues
Step 2: Developmental Opportunities
Step 3: Jr. State Cup & Presidents Cup
Step 4: Premier Youth Leagues
Step 5: State Cup & Adult Leagues
Step 6: Regional Tournaments
Step 7: Regional Referee
Step 8: National Referee
Step 9: FIFA Referee
Start Your Path to the Top
Are you interested in working in the MLS as a referee? How about at a FIFA World Cup? The path to these top levels of the game starts in local leagues all across the world. We at the Kansas State Referee Committee and the Kansas Youth Soccer Referee Development Department want to help you achieve your goals.
If you're not already a US Soccer certified referee, your first step is to get certified here. Once you've gone through an entry level clinic (ELC), you're off and running on your pathway to success as an official!
Take a look at the Kansas Referee Development Program Pathway linked below. We've given you some tangible steps to progress upward towards your Regional Referee Badge. The Referee Department at US Soccer outlines all the steps you need to know from Regional referee onward. Those detailed steps are also linked below.
Click here to learn about the upgrading criteria for US Soccer.
Questions and/or concerns about this process? Let us know! We're happy to help. Simply email referee@kansasyouthsoccer.org.
