2025 Entry Level Referee Course FAQ

When will the Entry Level Referee Course Registration and Information be available?

    • The Entry Level Referee Course Registration and Information will be available on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 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 Course Information
    • Check regularly for updated information

What is the format for the Entry Level Referee Course?

    • Starting in 2024, the Entry Level Referee Course consists of two blocks.
    • Block 1 – Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Theory Modules – there are two (2) registrations required
      • Registration will be through Canada Soccer – there are two registrations to be completed
      • Registration Fee is $30
        • Once your initial registration and payment have been completed, you will receive an access key for the second registration with Canada Soccer to access the Online Modules
      • Block 1 – Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Theory Modules must be completed prior to registration and participation in Block 2
      • Ensure Block 1 Online Theory Modules are completed before Block 2 registration closes
    • Block 2 – Soccer Nova Scotia (SNS) In-person Practical Session – there are two (2) registrations required
      • Registration will be through Soccer Nova Scotia – there are two registrations to be completed
      • Registration Fee is $90
        • The first registration is an Official Registration as a New Official and includes the payment
        • The second registration is a Camp and Clinic Registration to register for the appropriate SNS In-person Practical Session
      • Approximately 3.5 – 4 hours of in-class training and 3 hours of on-field practical training
      • Block 2 registration closes for each In-person Practical Session 7 days prior to the date of the session

What is the minimum age to register for the Entry Level Referee Course?

    • To register for the Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Theory Modules, registrants must be 14 years of age by March 31 of the current year.

How do I register for Block 1 Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Modules? 

    • Block 1 Registration – there are two (2) registrations required
      • Registration and payment will be through Canada Soccer
      • Block 1 cost is $30
        • This increase will occur in January 2025
      • Canada Soccer Registration Guide and Link to register – click here
        • The initial registration is to complete payment and receive an Access Key
        • Once the Access Key is received, a second registration is required to access the Online Modules
        • If you are a parent or guardian registering a youth, please ensure you register with Canada Soccer using the youth’s name as opposed to a parent or guardian’s name
          • If the youth has their own email address, it should be used as opposed to a parent or guardian’s email address
        • Once you receive the access key, you will complete your Canada Soccer registration to access the online modules
        • If you have processed payment, but did not receive an access key to register for the Online Theory Modules, please email kate@soccerns.ca
      • Block 1 must be completed prior to registration and participation for Block 2
      • Ensure Block 1 Online Theory Modules are completed before Block 2 registration closes

How do I register for Block 2 Soccer Nova Scotia In-Person Practical Sessions?

    •  Block 2 Registration – there are two (2) registrations required
      • Registration and payment will be through Soccer Nova Scotia
      • Block 2 cost is $90
      • Soccer Nova Scotia Registration Guide and Link to register – click here
        • Registration #1 – The New Official Registration is password protected
          • Please email the PDF of your Canada Soccer Certificate of Completion to kate@soccerns.ca
          • The password and registration information will be provided once your certificate has been received.
          • If a parent or guardian is registering a youth, the youth’s email address should be used when asked to create a RAMP Assigning account during the registration process
        • Registration #2 – The Camp and Clinic Registration for your specific SNS In-person Practical Session in your Home Region
          • Select the appropriate Entry Level Referee Course – SNS In-person Practical Session in your Home Region
            • Click on the Register for Camp and Clinic button
          • The Entry Level Referee Course – SNS In-person Practical Session registration closes for each In-person Practical Session approximately 7 days prior to the date of the session

What is the total registration cost for the Entry Level Referee Course?

    • Registration Fee – $30 – Block 1 – Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Modules – for 2025 only
    • Registration Fee – $90 – Block 2 – Soccer Nova Scotia New Official Registration and  In-person Practical Session (Camp and Clinic Registration)
    • Total Registration Cost for 2025 is $120

How do I pay for my Entry Level Referee Course?

    • Online payment for Block 1 – Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Theory Modules will take place at time of registration with Canada Soccer
    • Online payment for Block 2 – Soccer Nova Scotia In-person Practical Session will take place at time of registration with Soccer Nova Scotia

Can I use my parent’s email address if I am a youth registrant?

    • All Entry Level Referee Course Registrants will require their own unique email address
    • Youth Registrants should have their own email addresses for their referee accounts and not use a parent or guardian’s email address
      • A secondary email may be added to the RAMP Assigning system if parents/guardians want to receive referee emails as well
    • Each RAMP Assigning Account must have their own email address, so the same email address cannot be used for two referee accounts

When are the Block 2 SNS In-person Practical Sessions offered and where?

    • Each region will offer Block 2 of the Entry Level Referee Course each spring (April – May) IF they need referees in their region
    • Click here for the current schedule of 2025 Block 2 SNS In-person Practical Sessions

Is there anything that I need to bring with me to the Block 2 – Soccer Nova Scotia In-person Practical Session?

    • 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 (shorts, tracksuit, indoor running shoes, cleats, etc.).
    • Dress appropriately if your on-field session is outdoors.

What will I receive when I participate in Block 2 – Soccer Nova Scotia In-person Classroom and On-field Practical Session?

    • A whistle
    • A flag
    • Cards and card book
    • Canada Soccer Handbook for New Referees 2024
    • A Canada Soccer Referee badge
    • Youth Entry Level Referees (U18) will receive a green armband

What needs to be completed to be a referee and be assigned to games?

    • Block 1 – Canada Soccer Online Theory Modules must be completed.
    • Block 2 – Soccer Nova Scotia In-person Practical Session must be completed – both the classroom and the on-field session
    • Registration and Payment for both Blocks of the course must be received.

What do I wear to officiate games?

    • Plain, Black Shorts and Socks
    • Plain, Black T-shirt (free of logos) until a Referee Shirt can be acquired
    • Referee Apparel and additional supplies may also be ordered online (Savi, Amazon, or Avanti Sports) and occasionally found at some sporting goods stores
    • Ask the Regional Referee Instructor in your region as they may be aware of local shops to purchase Referee Apparel
    • The Canada Soccer Referee Badge MUST be attached to the left pocket area of the shirt for all games as this shows that you are authorized to officiate games

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 seasonal tab for the correct Referee Fees
    • In some cases, such as tournaments, Referee Fees may be prorated where game lengths have been shortened to accommodate the schedule/facility bookings

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
      • However, some divisions divisions such as Skill Centre divisions may be paid in the form of a cheque
    • To confirm how referees are paid in the region where you are officiating, please contact the Regional Referee Instructor for your Entry Level Referee Course or the Referee Assignor for your region
    • Click here for Referee Contacts per region

Does my Entry Level Referee Registration expire?

    • The Entry Level Referee Course registration includes the Annual Referee Registration
    • All referee registrations expire annually on March 31, so your registration will expire on March 31 of the year following the completion of the Entry Level Referee Course
      • For example, the 2025 Entry Level Referee Course registration will expire on March 31, 2026

How do I register as a referee after my first year as an Entry Level Referee?

    • In the following year, you will register for the Annual Referee Season as a Returning Referee with the appropriate classification – Youth or District.
      • Youth referees are under the age of 16 at time of registration
      • District referees are 16 years old and older
      • The annual registration opens approximately mid February and is valid annually from April 1 – March 31 the following year

If you have any questions regarding the Entry Level Referee Course, please contact kate@soccerns.ca.