What referee classifications are there?

Canada Soccer Regulation 19.5 classifies referees each year as at 1 April (the classification period runs 1 April to 31 March):

• International: referees on the FIFA List of Referees.
• National List: referees and assistant referees selected by Canada Soccer.
• Provincial Referee: includes referees who have served at a higher level.
• Regional Referee.
• District Referee: must be over 16 years of age; a District Referee has completed the Entry Level Referees Course at age 16 or over.
• Youth Referee: a District Referee aged 14 to under 16 at registration. A Youth Referee automatically becomes a District Referee on reaching 16.
• Declared non-active: referees who no longer officiate but keep their registration.

Other facts from the regulations:

• A person under 14 may not be registered as a referee.
• Referees under 16 may officiate only in competitions for players under 16.
• Your Member Association (provincial or territorial association) registers you and administers your classification. The classification level you hold is accepted by the new Member Association if you move.
• The registration period runs from 1 April (or from completing the entry level course, if later) to the following 31 March.
• There are also separate Futsal referees and Small-sided referees (for soccer played by clubs with fewer than 11 a side, excluding futsal), who take their own courses.

Source: Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, November 2025, Regulations 19.1 to 19.5 and 19.7 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).