Returning Referee Procedures
Welcome Back Returning Referees! Thank you for volunteering for another season.
All returning referees must go through the following four steps to referee matches in our region.
Step 1: Re-register as a volunteer in the AYSO1.org website
Follow the Volunteer Registration portion of our Volunteer Registration page to re-register as a volunteer for this season. It is required for all of us to re-register each year. Information on Referee Volunteer Registration is available here
Step 2: Check if you need additional training and register for the class(es) you plan to attend.
8U: If you are returning, there is no more referee training required. However, you may need to do SafeSport or renew one of the other SafeHaven certificates. Furthermore, there is a background check and fingerprinting (one time) required (see below).
10U: If you have completed only the "8U Official" class, you must take the Regional Referee class. Review the schedule of classes on the referee training calendar, then signup on AYSOU.org following these instructions.
12U/14U: If you have completed only the "Basic (Regional) Referee" training, please consider taking the "Intermediate Referee" class this season. It is not a strict requirement, but is highly recommended especially to be assigned as center referee on boy’s games in the 12U and older divisions. Please visit the AYSOU Training Calendar for details on upcoming Intermediate Referee classes or check with your Referee Administrator.
Referees transferring from another AYSO region: If your existing certification was recorded on your AYSOU account you do not need to take the same training again, just check if you need to upgrade.
USSF referees: if you have a current USSF certification no additional AYSO training is necessary. Please fill out a cross-certification form and return it to the referee admin with a copy of your USSF card for the current year. You still need to do Steps 1, 2 and 3!
More information on getting started with training can be seen here
Step 3: Get Fingerprinted and consent to a Background Check.
For 2026, since you are on this page you are a returning referee, and as such, many of you have already been fingerprinted. The fingerprint check does not expire so you do not need to get fingerprinted again. However, if something happened or went wrong with fingerprinting last year, please go ahead and do it this year.
This requirement is California State Law (AB 506, effective January 1, 2022). The law added all Youth Service Organizations to the list of organizations whose volunteers and staff must complete training in child abuse and neglect reporting and undergo Live Scan background checks which includes a fingerprint check. We will provide fingerprint captures at certain group events (coaches meetings, and so on) or you may choose to get fingerprinted at a local business offering this service.
If you do get yourself fingerprinted on your own, you may request reimbursement for the cost. It is also VERY IMPORTANT that you provide the following code to the fingerprint provider so that the results get routed to AYSO - code AA498 (Find a local finger print provider)
Step 4: Attend your Upgrade classes or the Referee Refresher meeting.
For all other returning referees, AYSO National requires one continuing education class each year. Region 1 provides a "referee refresher" meeting to meet this requirement where we cover changes in our local policies and procedures, IFAB and AYSO rules, etc. Please visit the referee calendar for the date and location of this class