How do I upgrade to a higher referee classification?

Q: How do I upgrade to a higher referee classification?

Under Canada Soccer Regulation 19.5 and 19.6: Apply in writing: your Member Association must receive your request for promotion by 1 March before the season in which the promotion is sought. If you were considered but not advanced, you are automatically included in the next season's scheme unless you tell your Member Association in writing by 1 March. Regional and Provincial promotion is based on practical performance: marks and assessments by assessors on a minimum of three games from outdoor, 11-a-side competitions for players over 16, within a minimum of 20 qualifying games in one marking period. Marks are collected from 1 April to the last day of November. You also need a minimum of five games as an assistant referee in the promotion season. Also required: attend in-service training, pass a written examination set by Canada Soccer and, where Canada Soccer requires it, pass the appropriate fitness test before promotion is confirmed. District to Regional: you must serve at least one complete registration period or 12 months in District (whichever is shorter) and have completed at least 20 qualifying games as a referee in outdoor 11-a-side competitions for players over 16. Who decides: the Member Association where you live decides promotion to Regional and Provincial. Selections must be made by 15 December each year and you are notified in writing. National List and above: Canada Soccer selects National List officials using criteria it sets, from Provincial referees nominated by a Member Association. National List officials and above must pass a fitness test and a written exam every year before their classification is confirmed. Source: Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, November 2025, Regulations 19.5 and 19.6 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Canada Soccer Regulation 19.5 and 19.6:

Apply in writing: your Member Association must receive your request for promotion by 1 March before the season in which the promotion is sought. If you were considered but not advanced, you are automatically included in the next season's scheme unless you tell your Member Association in writing by 1 March.
Regional and Provincial promotion is based on practical performance: marks and assessments by assessors on a minimum of three games from outdoor, 11-a-side competitions for players over 16, within a minimum of 20 qualifying games in one marking period. Marks are collected from 1 April to the last day of November. You also need a minimum of five games as an assistant referee in the promotion season.
Also required: attend in-service training, pass a written examination set by Canada Soccer and, where Canada Soccer requires it, pass the appropriate fitness test before promotion is confirmed.
District to Regional: you must serve at least one complete registration period or 12 months in District (whichever is shorter) and have completed at least 20 qualifying games as a referee in outdoor 11-a-side competitions for players over 16.
Who decides: the Member Association where you live decides promotion to Regional and Provincial. Selections must be made by 15 December each year and you are notified in writing.
National List and above: Canada Soccer selects National List officials using criteria it sets, from Provincial referees nominated by a Member Association. National List officials and above must pass a fitness test and a written exam every year before their classification is confirmed.

Source: Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, November 2025, Regulations 19.5 and 19.6 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).