Capital District Referee Association is affiliated with Eastern New York Soccer Referee Association, which is under the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

To become a referee requires you to be physically fit and emotionally mature. Candidates who complete all requirements will be certified as USSF referees and become eligible to officiate USSF-sanctioned games.

The referee path begins at the Grassroots Referee level (previously known as Grades 9, 8, and 7).

To become a Grassroots Referee, you must:

• Be age 14 or older,

• Register with CDRef for referee instruction (a fee is required to be paid at or before the class),

• Complete e-learning in the Online Grassroots Referee Course offered by USSF (a fee of $20 is required to be paid online),

• Attend an In-Person Grassroots Course,

• Pay the USSF Registration Fee (may be included in the clinic fee), and

• Purchase required uniform and referee equipment.