What are the referee certification levels?

Volleyball Canada recognizes five levels: Level 1 (Local), Level 2 (Provincial), Level 3 (Regional), Level 4 (National) and Level 5 (International). Requirements on the Volleyball Canada Become a Referee page:

• Local: learn the rules, take part in practice calls, attend a clinic sponsored by the Regional Association, and pass written and practical examinations.
• Provincial (indoor and beach): active as a Local referee for at least one full season, complete a provincial referees' clinic, and pass the written and practical examination.
• Regional (indoor only): active as a Provincial referee for at least one full season, attend an advanced officials' clinic, pass the written and practical examination, and be approved by the National Officials' Committee.
• National (indoor): active as a Regional referee for at least three years, a recommendation from the Regional Officials' Chairperson, attend designated clinics led by certified Course Conductors, pass a written and practical examination given by the National Referee Committee at a major competition, and be approved by the National Referee Committee.
• International: active as a National referee for a number of years, a recommendation from the National Referee Chairperson, attend a ten-day International Referees' Course, pass written and practical examinations given by a member of the International Referee Commission, officiate as first referee under observation in seven international matches within three years of the course, and (indoor) be under 41.

Clinic dates and locations come from your Provincial/Territorial Association. The beach pathway has its own Level 1 to 4 stream.

Source: volleyball.ca/en/development/referee/become-a-referee; Volleyball Canada National Referee Committee Manual 2025-2026.