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THE OFFICIALS PATHWAY

The development and certification of officials is managed at the Provincial, National (SFC) and International (ISSF) levels.

The usual process of becoming an official is as follows:



Please note: 1. Para-shooting international Officials Pathway is slightly different

Overview

Local / Club

This is the entry-level of officials who will officiate at an club or inter-club competition. This official will work at the local or club level and must have the following qualifications and experience:

  • know and be able to enforce safety rules
  • know and practice the SFC/ISSF philosophy of officiating
  • know and be able to enforce the SFC rules
  • know the elements of a basic tournament range set up
  • be able to conduct an elementary equipment check
  • know and be able to enforce scoring procedures
  • be able to officiate at matches within their club
  • help the members of their club to have a good understanding of the rules before participating in tournaments of greater scope
To become a Local/Club Official, a candidate:
  • may need to take a short clinic depending on the Province/Territory; and, need to be certified by a Provincial Official upon being observed on the range

Provincial / Territorial

Officials who have obtained their local/club official certification can apply to be a Provincial/Territorial Official. The Provincial/Territorial Official will work at the club and provincial levels and must have the following qualifications and experience (in addition to all the prerequisites of the Local/Club level):

  • know and be able to enforce the ISSF rules
  • know and be able to enforce rules and procedures prevalent at a provincial tournament
To become a Provincial/Territorial Official, an official:
  • will need to have obtained experience officiating in the various disciplines of his section (typically for one year), and require mentoring under a National Official, which would be determined by your Provincial/Territorial shooting organization
  • may have to attend an official clinic or completing a home-study course or writing an exam and passing with a minimum score
  • must be a member of the shooting organization corresponding with the Province/Territory in which they live
  • may not also compete in the competition he/she officiates
National This level of officials is the responsibility of the National Officials Committee of the SFC. To be considered for this level, an official must first have received their Provincial Official Certification and be recommended by the provincial shooting organization. The national official will work at the club, provincial and national levels and must have the following qualifications and experience (in addition to all the prerequisites of the Provincial/Territorial level):
  • know equipment check procedures and be able to conduct a full equipment check
  • know and be able to enforce rules and procedures prevalent at a national championship
To become a National Official, an official:
  • must have at least two years of experience as a provincial official before applying to be a National Official. However, consideration will be given to the recommendations of the Provincial/Territorial shooting organization
  • may have to attend the national official clinic held annually in conjunction with the Canadian Championships or at other designated Regional or national events
  • must have officiated at least one Canadian Championships (on every discipline of their section) and completed a practical Officiating assessment that has been submitted to the National Officials Committee with completion of case study questions.
  • must be a member of the SFC
  • may not also compete in the competition he/she officiates

International ISSF B

This level of judges is the responsibility of the ISSF. An International ISSF Judge Level B can officiate in all shooting competitions for which the licence is valid, except for the Olympic games and the World Championships. To be considered for this level, an official must first have received their National Official Certification and be recommended by the National Officials Committee and the SFC. The International Judge will work at the club, provincial, national and international levels and must have the following qualifications and experience (in addition to all the prerequisites of the National level):

  • know and be able to enforce rules and procedures prevalent at an international tournament
To become an International ISSF judge Level B, an official:
  • must be recommended by the National Officials Committee through the SFC to the ISSF after a minimum of 2 years of experience as a National Official.
  • must participate actively as an official
  • must officiate at the Canadian National Championships
  • may not participate in competitions where world records can be established
  • must also have achieved the pass-standard in the General Aspects and the Shooting Discipline Parts of an official ISSF Judges' course within the last four (4) years.

International ISSF A

This level of judges is the responsibility of the ISSF. An International ISSF Judge Level A can officiate in all shooting competitions for which the licence is valid, including the Olympic games and the World Championships. To be considered for this level, an official must first have received their International ISSF Judge Level. To become an International ISSF judge Level A, an official:

  • must have a minimum period of four (4) years of recent experience as an active “B” license holder
  • must have officiated in at least five (5) international competitions which have a minimum of five (5) participating nations. On at least two (2) occasions the applicant must have been a Jury Member, and exceptionally, on special request, the other three (3) occasions must have been as a Chief Range Officer, Chief Referee, RTS Chief or Chief of Equipment Control
  • must have a valid ISSF EST license for Rifle, Pistol and Running Target disciplines
  • must be upgraded by the Judge Committee of the ISSF at its annual meeting

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Shotgun Specific

Steps needed to begin your journey to becoming an ISSF referee.

Beginner

  • Firearm safety or Hunter safely course, whichever is offered in your location
  • Membership in the SFC
  • Know and be able to enforce general shotgun and ISSF safety rules
  • Know and be able to enforce scoring procedures
  • Be able to and experience officiating at matches within a club or provincial setting
  • Help members of their club to have a good understanding of the rules before participating in tournaments of greater scope.
  • Register with the SFC as an Official for Shotgun


Intermediate

  • Participate in a National Officials course followed up by an exam and practical experience.
  • Participate in refereeing Provincial events as well as National events both trap and skeet
  • Have a good understanding of the ISSF shotgun and technical rules
  • Write the SFC exam


Advanced

  • Be recommended by two Canadian ISSF Officials that you are ready to take the course. Take the ISSF Official course.
  • Referee at International events
  • Prepare to become an ISSF Judge as per the ISSF rules.


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