US Soccer Referee Program has changed the classification system that is currently used to identify referee grades, referee names, and certification/re-certification requirements. 

Here are the changes:

• Newly Certified Referees must be 13 years of age
• All referees under the age of 13 that have been certified prior to 7/1/19 will be grandfathered in.
• Referee Grades (NOT SCHOOL GRADES) 7, 8 and 9 will be grouped together and called "Grassroots Referees".
• Once online training is complete, you must complete a Field Training Event. Once the FTE is complete, you will receive your Referee Badge.