The Canadian Curling Association recognizes the need to develop and implement a National Curling Umpires Certification Program. Accordingly, standard guidelines for training and development of curling umpires who will be capable of officiating at a provincial/territorial or national championship have been developed. In order to classify umpires, the following five level system is in place.

LEVEL 1 - GAME OBSERVER, TIME KEEPER AND HOGLINE UMPIRE
Requirements

• attend the Level 1 Umpire Training Course (approx. 5 hours)
• complete a Level 1 Officiating Exam (open book)
• complete a minimum of 6 games of officiating experience under the supervision of a Level 3, 4 or 5 umpire and receive positive evaluation.

LEVEL 2 - PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL SUPERVISING UMPIRES
Requirements

• have Level 1 certification
• attend the Level 2 Umpire Training Course (approx. 8 hours)
• complete a Level 2 Officiating Exam (open book)
• complete the practical requirements (minimum 6 games as a supervising umpire) under the supervision of a Level 3, 4, or 5 umpire and receive a positive evaluation

LEVEL 3 - PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL HEAD UMPIRE
Requirements

• have Level 2 Certification
• serve as an alternate head umpire at a provincial/territorial championship
• receive a recommendation
• receive positive evaluations from the provincial/territorial championship committee chairmen or association and/or from a provincially recognized head umpire
• appointment on an as needed basis by the provincial/territorial association

LEVEL 4 - NATIONAL SUPERVISING UMPIRE (national championship)
Requirements

• have Level 3 certification
• serve as a supervising umpire at a CCA national championship and receive a positive evaluation from the head umpire
• receive a recommendation from the provincial/territorial association
• appointment on an as needed basis by the CCA

LEVEL 5 - NATIONAL HEAD UMPIRE (national championship)
Requirements

• have Level 4 certification
• serve as a head umpire at a CCA national championship and receive a positive evaluation from the competition director and host committee representative
• have demonstrated qualities of leadership, ability to negotiate and arbitrate and ability to effectively liaise with player, media, supervising umpires, association officials and host committees.
• appointment on an as needed basis by the CCA

(This article is taken from the CCA Curling Club Operations Manual- Chapter F)