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Soccer referees who wish to participate in the development and to improve the quality of officiating at the college level and support the purpose of Washington Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (WAISOA) are encouraged to apply. Following are the requirements for prospective members: 

USSF license.  Prospective member shall be currently licensed by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). Annual licensing as a Grassroots, Regional, or National Referee, including Emeritus, is required of WAISOA members. This licensing shall be obtained primarily through the Washington State Soccer Referee Committee (WASRC), or other WAISOA-approved state referee committee.

NASO Insurance. Prospective member shall have insurance from the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). Referees may procure this insurance directly from NASO or through membership in the Washington Officials Association (WOA), which offers NASO insurance through its membership for high school and middle school officials. Cost is approximately $100 annually.

Experience. Prospective member shall be a Washington Officials Organization (WOA) and Washington State Soccer Referee Committee (WASRC) member in good standings for three (3) years. Unless prospective member is a current NISOA member moving to Washington State.

Game Count. Prospective  member shall have at least three years of game experience at the high school level or U-17 and higher in USSF Games. Officiate in at least 45 games at the high school, competitive, amateur, professional, or other games deemed to be at the appropriate competitive level. The games selected to meet the 45 game requirement must include a combination of officiated games as both referee and assistant referee at these levels. 

Clinics.  It is highly recommended that prospective member attend one (1) if not both of the Washington State Soccer Referee Committee (WASRC) offered clinics; Advanced Supplemental Training (Pro Clinic) or Referee Development Academy (RDA). 

Assessments. Prospective member shall submit at least two (2) field assessments completed by a certified mentor or assessor. Assessments should be within the last eighteen (18) months. 

References. Prospective member shall submit the names of three (3) current WAISOA members in good standing with five (5) years’ experience officiating at the intercollegiate soccer level, who have agreed to filing out a recommendation questionnaire. 

Rules Examination. Prospective members must be knowledgeable of the current NCAA soccer rules book for NCAA Division 2, Division 3, and NAIA matches. Rules are revised every 2 years but there may also be annual updates.  Referees are also required to know the modifications to the NCAA rules for community colleges of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).  Links to the current NCAA rules and NWAC modifications are found under the “Announcements” tab of the WAISOA website. WAISOA will make a written examination available to referees prior to the season and provide for on-line testing and grading. Accepted candidates will received notification when the exam is available.

Physical Performance Test. Prospective members are required to pass a fitness test consisting of high-intensity intervals and sprints to demonstrate their capability for refereeing the collegiate game. The fitness test must be taken and passed in the calendar year prior to the start of the fall season. A test offered either by WAISOA or the WASRC will fulfill this requirement. 

Prospective members shall be eighteen (18) years old before applying for WAISOA membership. 

Completed applications should be sent to Director of Membership - Membership@waisoa.org

WAISOA may admit, by exception, a limited number of candidates who do not meet minimum admission standards based on candidate’s geographical location and coverage demands in order for WAISOA to enhance service to clients.