ENTRY LEVEL REFEREE COURSE INFORMATION

Entry Level Referee Course FAQ

1. What is the format for the Entry Level Referee Course?
   • There is a self-directed online theory component as opposed to all in-class theory sessions.
     • The self-directed online theory component MUST be completed by April 30.
   • Referee instructors will be available to assist all Entry Level Referee Course participants with questions on the self-directed online theory component.
   • There will be an on-field practical session in each region for your course.
     • The HRM on-field session will include Halifax, Harbour East and Suburban regions.
   • Law 11 and Law 12 will have a classroom session(s) combined with the on-field practical session.
   • There is a final online exam that will be sent after the on-field practical session and Laws 11 and 12 have been completed.
   • Note: On-field practical sessions, Law 11 and Law 12 classroom sessions are subject to change based on NS Public Health restrictions that may be in place at that time.

2. When are the courses offered and where?

• Typically, each region will offer an Entry Level Referee Course each spring (April 1 – May 31) IF they need referees in their region.
• You must apply for a course in the region in which you live.
  • If you are a player, playing in a different region from where you live, you must apply based on the address where you live and not the region in which you are playing.

3. How do I register for the Entry Level Referee Course?

• First, you must apply using the Entry Level Referee Course Application for the course in your region.
• There is no fee to apply.
• If selected, you will be sent an invitation via email to the Entry Level Referee Course that you applied for.
  • You may “Accept” or “Decline” the invitation at that time.

4. When will the Entry Level Referee Course Application and Information be available?

• The Entry Level Referee Course Application and Information will be available in early March on the Soccer Nova Scotia website.
• On the home page of the Soccer Nova Scotia website, select Development>Referee>Referee Registration and Management>Entry Level Referee Application and Course Information

5. What is the deadline to complete the Entry Level Referee Course Application?
   • The deadline to complete the Entry Level Referee Course Application is March 28.

6. How long will it take to find out if I have been selected to participate in an Entry Level Referee Course?

• Applicants will be selected on March 28 for all regions.
• Invitations to the Entry Level Referee Courses for all regions will be sent by end of day March 29 to successful applicants.
• Please check the spam/junk folder as the computer-generated invitation may end up there.

7. What is the total cost for the Entry Level Referee Course?
   • The total cost of the Entry Level Referee Course is $105 and may be divided into two installment payments or paid in full.
   • To pay in two installment payments, you MUST select Pay in Installments when completing the Entry Level Referee Course Confirmation registration form.
     • $35 for the self-directed online theory component.
     • $70 for the on-field session, Law 11, Law 12, and referee supplies.

8. How do I pay for my Entry Level Referee Course?
   • Once you accept the invitation to the course, you will be prompted to make the $35 payment for the self-directed online theory component (you must select Pay in Installments for this option), or you may pay in full ($105).
   • The remaining $70 will be an automatic installment processed directly onto the credit card used in the initial transaction on May 1 (you must select Pay in Installments for this option).
   • The $70 payment covers the on-field session, Law 11, Law 12, and referee supplies which will follow completion of the self-directed online theory component of the course.
   • Online payments are preferred as the Soccer Nova Scotia offices are currently closed and unable to accept in-person payments. If an alternate payment method is required, please contact admin@soccerns.ca.

9. If I have been selected, what is required to complete my Entry Level Referee Course Confirmation registration?

• Click Accept on the emailed invitation to the Entry Level Referee Course Confirmation.
  • You may also Decline the invitation if you have decided not to participate in the Entry Level Referee Course this year.
  • Please Accept or Decline your invitation within 72 hours of receiving as there may be others waiting to see if they will be accepted into the course.
  • Please check the spam/junk folder as the computer-generated invitation may end up there.
  • Enter your email address in the Participant Email field.
    • Please do not attempt to use a school “gnspes” email address.
    • The government/school system will not allow outside Google Classroom invites to be sent to the “gnspes” email addresses, therefore, the invite will not be received.
    • If you do not have another email address, you may have to create a Gmail (@gmail.com) email address to use.
  • Follow the instructions to complete the online registration and payment either as Pay in Installments ($35/$70) or Full Payment ($105).
  • Payment must be received prior to the start of the self-directed online theory component of the course either in Full or Pay in Installments as previously mentioned.

10. Can I use my parent’s email address if I am a youth applicant?
    • Youth participants should have their own email address.
    • This will be the email address used for the Google Classroom and on the Referee Management Platform for Game Assignment Invitations or Referee Communications.
      • Note: The government/school system will not allow outside Google Classroom invites to be sent to “gnspes” email addresses, therefore, the invite will not be received.
      • If you do not have another email address, you may have to create a Gmail (@gmail.com) email address to use.

11. How old do I have to be to apply for the Entry Level Referee Course?

• The minimum age to apply is 14 years old.
• If you are not invited in the first year you apply, please apply in following year(s) as being selected may depend on the total number of applicants or criteria for that year in your region.

12. Can I apply for any Entry Level Referee Course?

• No, you must apply for the Entry Level Referee Course in the region in which you live.
• The region in which you live may be different than the region in which you play.
• The regions are Halifax, Harbour East, Suburban, South Shore, Valley, Highland and Cape Breton.
• In addition, we offer a Halifax Adult Course for adult participants in Halifax, Harbour East, and Suburban regions.
• If you apply for a course not in the region in which you live, you will not be considered for that course.

13. Will late Entry Level Referee Course Applications after the March 28 deadline be accepted?
    • Late Entry Level Referee Applications may be considered if the Entry Level Referee Course in the specific region has space available.
    • Please email admin@soccerns.ca to confirm if a late application may be accepted. Please indicate the region in which you live.
    • If a late Entry Level Referee Application is accepted, the deadline to complete the self-directed online theory component is still April 30.

14. How will I receive information on the self-directed online theory component after I complete my Entry Level Referee Course Confirmation registration and payment?

• Once you have accepted the invitation and completed your Entry Level Referee Course Confirmation registration and payment, a link will be sent within 48-72 hours to the specific Google Classroom for your region.
• Please check the spam/junk folder as the Google Classroom invite link may end up there.

15. How long do I have to complete the self-directed online theory component of the Entry Level Referee Course?
    • The self-directed online theory component MUST be completed by April 30.

16. Is there anything that I need to bring with me to the On-field session of the Entry Level Referee Course?

• Please bring a notebook and pens/pencils to the course
• Water bottle
• Food or snacks. Lunch is not provided for full-day courses.
• Dress in athletic wear (track suit, indoor running shoes, etc.). Dress appropriately if your on-field session is outdoors.

17. What will I receive when I participate in the on-field session of the Entry Level Referee Course?

• A whistle
• A flag
• Cards and card book
• A Canada Soccer Referee badge

18. What needs to be completed to be a referee and be assigned to games?
    • The self-directed online theory component needs to be completed.
    • The on-field session must be completed including the Law 11 and Law 12 classroom session(s).
    • The online exam needs to be completed and passed. It will be sent via your Google classroom after completion of the self-directed online theory, on-field practical session, Law 11 and Law 12 classroom session(s).
    • Once all three of the above have been completed, you will be added to the List of Active Referees and will begin to be assigned to games.

19. What do I wear to officiate games?

• Plain, Black Shorts and Socks.
• Plain, Black T-shirt (free of logos).
• Referee Apparel and additional supplies may also be ordered online (Nova Trophy, Amazon or Avanti Sports) and occasionally found at some sporting goods stores.
• The Canada Soccer Referee Badge MUST be attached to the left breast area of the shirt for all games as this shows that you are authorized to officiate games.

20. What do referees get paid?

• The fees that referees are paid are based on the divisions that you are officiating as well as the referee position (Referee or Assistant Referee).
• The Referee Fee Schedule can be found on the Soccer Nova Scotia website, select Development>Referee>Referee Fees and Forms.
• Click here to be redirected to the Referee Fee Schedule.
  • Please ensure you are looking at the correct tab for the correct season.

21. How do I get paid for the games I officiate?

• Referee Payment is dependent on the region that you are officiating in.
• Some regions pay in the form of cheques to the referees on scheduled dates while in other regions, referees are paid at the field during the game they are officiating.
• Typically, within the HRM, referees are paid at the field during the game they are officiating.
• To confirm how referees are paid in the region where you are officiating, please contact the Regional Referee Instructor for your On-field practical session or the Referee Assignor for your region.

22. Does my Entry Level Referee Registration expire?
    • The Entry Level Referee Course registration includes the yearly Referee Registration fee.
    • All referee registrations expire annually on March 31, so your registration will expire on March 31 of the following year.

23. How do I register as a referee after my first year of being an Entry Level Referee?
    • In the following year, you will register using the Returning Referee Renewal Registration form.
      • The Returning Referee Renewal Registration is valid annually from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.