What are the certification levels?

There are the six certification levels for AYSO referees. Here is a brief description of the requirements for each: 

U-8 Official 
(minimum age 10) 
Complete the 8U Official Course and pass the 8U Official Exam.

Assistant Referee 
(minimum age 12) 
Complete the Assistant Referee Course and pass the Assistant Referee Exam.

Regional Referee 
(minimum age 12) 
Complete the Basic Referee Course and pass the Regional Referee Exam.

Intermediate Referee 
(minimum age 14) 
Complete 25 games as referee with at least five in 12U games, complete the Intermediate Referee Course, pass the Intermediate Referee Exam and be (observed) mentored in a 12U game.

Advanced Referee 
(minimum age 16) 
Complete 50 games as referee with at least 10 in 14U and five as an assistant referee (in 14U), complete the Advanced Referee Course, pass the Advanced Referee Exam, pass one assessment as referee and one as assistant referee in a 14U match, pass the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

National Referee 
(minimum age 18) 
Complete 100 games as referee with at least 30 in 16U/19U games and 25 as Assistant Referee with at least 10 in 19U, complete the National Referee Course, pass the National Referee Exam, pass two assessments as referee in 16U or 16U matches and one as assistant referee in a 19U match, complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.