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 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 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 will consist of two blocks.
    • Block 1 – Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Theory Modules
      • Registration will be through Canada Soccer
      • Registration Fee is $10 (discounted for 2024 only – the fee will be $50 in 2025)
      • 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
      • Registration will be through Soccer Nova Scotia
      • Registration Fee is $90
      • 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
      • Registration and payment will be through Canada Soccer
      • Block 1 cost is $10 for 2024
      • Canada Soccer Registration Guide and Link to register – click here
        • Payment is required first to receive access key to register
        • 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 can 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 admin@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
      • 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
        • Block 2 Registration as a New Official is password protected
          • Please email your Canada Soccer Certificate of Completion to admin@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
        • Block 2 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 – $10 – Block 1 – Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Modules – for 2024 only
    • Registration Fee – $90 – Block 2 – Soccer Nova Scotia In-person Practical Session
    • Total Registration Cost for 2024 is $100
    • The registration fee for Block 1 Canada Soccer Entry Level Referee Online Theory Modules will increase to $50 in 2025

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

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 2024 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 (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
    • A Canada Soccer Referee badge
    • Youth Entry Level Referees 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, Nova Trophy, 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.
    • 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 fee.
    • 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.

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.
      • District referees are 16 years old and older.
      • The registration typically opens late February or early March 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 admin@soccerns.ca.