To officiate in higher level competitions, referees must show through a combination of years of experience, evaluation, physical fitness testing and written examinations that they have the ability to control game situations and have knowledge of the Laws of the Game.

Once upgraded to a higher classification, a referee is required to fulfil physical fitness testing and evaluation through assessment each year.

To view the current upgrading and maintenance requirements, please see below

Class 4
1. Persons wishing to register as a referee must attend a course of instruction conducted under the jurisdiction of the OSA. Upon successful completion, candidates shall be classified as Class 4 Referees.

2. Candidates must be not less than 12 years of age as of January 1st of the current year. Proof of age may be required at the time of application. Failure to adhere to the age policy will result in candidates being required to re-take the course of instruction.

3. Class 4 Referees may referee in youth recreational games and be an assistant referee in youth competitive games.

4. To maintain a Class 4 Referee classification, a referee must remain current by attending education programming, pay the annual fees as published by the Association, be in good standing and maintain registration each year.

Class 3
1. To be eligible for consideration to promotion to Class 3, the referee must have:

a) completed at least one season as a competent Class 4 Referee;
b) be not less than 16 years of age as of January 1st of the current year;
c) be in good standing;
d) be recommended by the Club Head Referee or District Referee Coordinator;
e) attend a preparation course and pass an examination designated by The Association;
f) those referees fulfilling the above criteria will be upgraded to Class 3 for the next registration year.

2.  Class 3 Referees shall be eligible:

a) within their first year as a Class 3 Referee, to officiate as a Referee in Youth Competitive and Youth Recreational Games and as an Assistant Referee in Senior Amateur games under the auspices of a District Association;

b) within their second and subsequent years as a Class 3 Referee, to officiate Senior Amateur games as a Referee or Assistant Referee with game appointments based on the pyramid of officiating criteria circulated yearly by the District Referee Coordinator;

 3. To maintain standing as a Class 3 Referee, a Referee must:

a) actively officiate within The Association;
b) adhere to all Published Rules of the Association and be in good standing;
c) must remain current by attending education programming;
d) pay the annual fees as published by the Association;
e) maintain registration each year;

Class 2
1. To be eligible for consideration for promotion to a Class 2 Referee, Class 3 Referee must complete an application form and complete the criteria below in the order listed.

a) attend the Class 2 preparation sessions;
b) attend and pass the Class 2 Examination;
c) within the two years following a passing mark on the Class 2 Examination, obtain a minimum of three qualifying assessments by more than one assessor, at least two of which must be obtained in Senior Men`s Competitive games with the other assessment obtained in another Competitive calibre game;
d) fulfil the yearly fitness standards in supervised tests each of the following two years following the Examination;
e) candidates may be required to complete additional assessments above the minimum to show proficiency of performance at the required level. In such cases, an extension beyond the two year limit may be granted.

2.  Class 2 Referees shall be eligible:

a) within their first year as a Class 2 Referee, to officiate up to Regional & District Senior Competitive games as per the pyramid of officiating;
b) within their second and subsequent years as a Class 2 Referee, to be appointed as an Assistant Referee in non-amateur games. 

 3.  To maintain standing as a Class 2 Referee, a Referee must:
a) actively officiate within The Association;
b) adhere to all Published Rules of the Association and be in good standing;
c) must remain current by attending education programming;
d) pay the annual fees as published by the Association;
e) maintain registration each year;
f) complete a minimum of one formal assessment per year in an appropriate Senior Competitive game;
g) fulfil the fitness test requirement for Class 2 Referees;

Class 1
1. To be eligible for consideration from promotion to a Class 1 Referee, a Class 2 Referee must complete all the criteria below within a two year time period:

a) be an above average Class 2 Referee for two years;
b) attend and pass the Class 1 Examination;
c) a minimum of four qualifying assessments, at least one of which shall be by a National Assessor and all of which shall be in Senior Men`s Competitive games;
d) fulfil the yearly fitness standards in supervised tests each year;
e) candidates may be required to complete additional assessments above the minimum to show proficiency of performance at the required level. In such cases, an extension beyond the two year limit may be granted.

2.  Class 1 Referees shall be eligible to officiate in any category of amateur soccer and may be appointed to non-amateur and inter-provincial competitions.

3. To maintain standing as a Class 1 Referee, a Referee must:

a) actively officiate within The Association;
b) adhere to all Published Rules of the Association and be in good standing;
c) must remain current by attending education programming;
d) pay the annual fees as published by the Association;
e) maintain registration each year;
f) complete a minimum of one formal assessment per year in an appropriate Senior Competitive game;
g) fulfil the fitness test requirement for Class 1 Referees;

National Program
1. To be considered for status as a Nominated National Referee, a Class 1 Referee must:

a) perform as an above average Class 1 Referee for a minimum of 2 years;
b) fulfil the requirements of a Class 1 Referee;
c) fulfil the entry fitness test requirements of the Canadian Soccer Association;
d) obtain assessments performed by National Assessors in suitable competitions;
e) at the call of the Canadian Soccer Association through The Association, prepare a resume of all soccer related activities for the past two years;
f) meet age qualification standards of The CSA;
g) be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant;
h) at all times (whether on or off the field of play) exhibit professional conduct, a positive attitude and commitment to the game.

2. Nominations shall be recommended by the Referee Development Committee to The Association.

 3. Appointment as a National Referee is under the jurisdiction of The Canadian Soccer Association, which may also make nominations to the International List of Referees or Assistant Referees.