Promotion Structure
International Level: Referees who are on the FIFA List of Referees. Annual nomination by The Football Association to FIFA, selected from those eligible Referees as at the date of nomination determined by FIFA.
Level 1 National List: Referees selected by The Football Association to serve on the National List of Referees and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level. National List Referees are those Referees that are selected by the Association, eligible for appointment to games in the FA Premier League, the Football League and other matches as determined from time to time.
Level 2 Panel List: Referees selected by The Football Association to serve on the Panel List of Referees and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level. Panel List Referees are those Referees that are selected by the Association, eligible for appointment to games in the Football Conference, FA Premier League Reserve League, Football League Reserve Leagues, Central League, the Football Combination and other matches determined from time to time.
Level 3 Contributory Referees: Referees, other than those on the Panel List of Referees, selected to officiate on a Contributory League and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level. Contributory Leagues – are nominated divisions, within specific Leagues as determined and considered by the Football Association, suitable for the advancement of Referees from Level 3.
Level 4 Supply League Referees: Referees selected to officiate on a Supply League and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level. Supply Leagues – are nominated divisions, within specific Leagues as determined and considered by the Football Association, suitable for the advancement of Referees from Level 4.
Selection and promotion within Level 4 will be determined as follows: Referees who have been selected to act as an Assistant Referee on the National List of Contributory Match Officials, following nomination by an Affiliated Association to The Football Association, and those Referees who satisfy the criteria established by The Football Association from time to time.
To gain promotion to Level 4, a Referee must continue to display the dedication and commitment already demonstrated in their earlier promotions.
They must complete a fitness test. which entails a continuous run for 12 minutes during which a minimum distance of 2500 metres must be covered to measure stamina.
Following a break, two separate sprints of 50 metres within 7.5 seconds each must be run – to measure speed off the mark.
Level 5 Senior County Referees: This classification includes Referees who have served at a higher level. A Senior County Referee is a Referee who has demonstrated to the satisfaction of The Football Association, Affiliated Association or Service Association as required by FA regulations, the ability to officiate at Level 5. If you achieve Senior County Referee status you may be nominated by the County FA for promotion to Level 4.
Level 6 County Referees: A County Referee is a Referee who has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Football Association, Affiliated Association or Service Association as required by FA regulations, the ability to officiate at Level 6.
Level 7 Junior Referees not in Level 8 or below: A Junior Referee is a Referee who has completed successfully the Basic Referees Course, having reached the age of 16 years. A Level 7 Referee must serve a minimum of one Registration Period before applying for promotion to Level 6. After this promotion a Referee can proceed at the rate he is capable of. No Affiliated Association may impose any other qualification periods which cause delayed passage through the promotion pyramid.
Level 8 Youth Referee: A Level 8 includes all Referees between the ages of 14 and 16 as at 1st March each season. A Level 8 Referee will automatically become a Level 7 Referee on successful completion of the Basic Referees’ Course and having attained the age of 16. Referees under the age of 16 are eligible only to officiate in Competitions for players aged under 16.
Level 9 Trainee Referee: Trainee Referees undertaking the Basic Training Course will be registered as Level 9. A Level 9 Referee will automatically become a Level 7 Referee on successful completion of the Basic Referees Course (Tier 2) and having attained the age of 16.
On passing Tier 1 of the ‘Two-Tier’ Basic Referees course, a Trainee Referee can register with the local County FA as a Level 9 Trainee Referee. This will cover them for public liability insurance. If they join the local Referees’ Society, the registration also includes personal insurance, as long as they Register as a Level 9.
A Level 9 Trainee Referee is a potential candidate who has undergone the Basic (Tier 1) Referees Course, having successfully demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of the Laws of Associated Football, but has yet to take the initial Tier 2 examination.
Level 10 Declared non-active Referees: This can include assessors, instructors, ex-Referees, fitness trainers etc.