Progressing as a Referee
Caught the bug? Good. Whether you fancy a step up to Senior County or you've got your eye on the National League and beyond, here's how the referee pathway works and how to start climbing it.
From your first badge to the very top
Every referee in England starts at the bottom of the same ladder. Here's how it stacks up, with Level 1 at the top. Go at your own pace: plenty of referees stay at County level for the love of it, and that's brilliant too.
Referee levels
- FIFAInternational ListNominated by The FA to FIFA each year
- Level 1National Group & Select GroupNational League, EFL and the Premier League
- Level 2National League North & SouthStep 2 of the National League System
- Level 3Step 3/4 leaguese.g. Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian Leagues
- Level 4Step 5/6 leaguesYour first taste of The FA's national system
- Level 5Senior CountyTop-level county football
- Level 6CountyOpen-age and youth county football
- Level 7Junior CountyWhere newly qualified referees aged 16+ start
- YouthY1 / Y2 Youth RefereeAges 14–15. You move up to Level 7 automatically at 16
Women's pathway
- FIFAInternational ListThe highest level of the women's game
- Level 1WWSL RefereeBarclays Women's Super League
- Level 2WWSL2 RefereeFormerly the Women's Championship
- Level 3WWomen's NationalWomen's National League (tiers 3 & 4)
- Level 4WWomen's RegionalRegional leagues (tiers 5 & 6)
- Youth WWomen's Youth RefereeAges 14–15
Women referees can progress on the women's pathway, the main referee pathway, or both.
What does promotion actually involve?
Each County FA sets its own criteria for the county levels, and The FA updates the national criteria every season, so always check the latest pack from your County FA. To give you an idea, here's what it typically looks like.
Climbing through county football
- Referee a set number of games in the season. 25 is typical, with more of them open-age as you go up.
- Visits from a County FA Match Day Coach or Referee Developer, who'll give you feedback.
- Complete some short online development modules.
- Pass a Laws of the Game exam.
- Towards Senior County, run the line on a few games too, and attend a face-to-face training session.
A typical example. Your County FA's numbers may differ.
Stepping into the national system
- Hold Senior County status and be put forward by your County FA.
- At least four observations by a County FA observer, with an average mark high enough to be nominated to The FA.
- Complete The FA's online CPD modules and Laws of the Game exams on time.
- A healthy run of open-age games, plus assistant referee appointments.
- Pass a fitness test. For 2025/26 that was the 17/22 interval run plus 40m sprints in 6.20 seconds or less.
Fitness test details from the 2025/26 season. Criteria change each season.
Choose your role at Level 4
Once you reach Level 4, you can choose to specialise as a referee, an assistant referee, or take on a dual role doing both. Running the line is a different skill set, it's hugely rewarding, and it's taken plenty of officials into the professional game.
Not sure which suits you? Say yes to AR appointments on the way up. You'll learn loads either way, they count towards your promotion, and you'll have a much better idea of your choice when the time comes.
What makes a top AR
- Sharp offside judgement and great positioning
- Clear, confident flag signals
- Teamwork and communication with your referee
- Speed over short distances, and plenty of it
How to give yourself the best shot at promotion
Nobody gets promoted on talent alone. The referees who climb tend to be the ones who get the basics right every single week.
Apply early
Promotion runs to set windows through the season. Find out your County FA's dates and get your name down. Don't wait to be asked.
Say yes
Take every game and AR appointment you can manage. Games played count, and variety makes you a better official.
Nail the admin
Reply to emails quickly, keep your availability up to date and get your misconduct reports in on time. Observers and appointment officers notice.
Keep a log
Record every game you do, as referee or AR. You'll need the numbers, and looking back at them shows you how far you've come.
Train all year
The fitness test shouldn't be a scramble. Build your fitness through the season and test day becomes just another session.
Love feedback
Every observation and coach visit is free advice. Take one thing from each and work on it in your next game.
Look like you belong at the next level
As you climb, so does what's expected. You'll be training harder, it's black kit only at Levels 3 and 4, and from Level 4 you'll have neutral assistant referees with you every game.
Match Kit
A quality black kit that looks sharp every single week. There is no mandatory brand of kit required at level 3 and 4.
Training Kit
For the sessions that get you through the fitness test.
PowerFlags
With neutral ARs every game from Level 4, electronic flags mean you never miss a signal.
We're with you every step
A&H is run by referees.
Progressing as a referee: FAQs
Do I have to go for promotion?
Not at all. Plenty of referees stay at County level for years and love every minute. Promotion is there if you want it, and you can go for it whenever you're ready.
How long does it take to get to Level 4?
There's no set timescale. Many County FAs have several promotion dates through the season, so it comes down to how quickly you hit the criteria.
When do I need to take a fitness test?
Usually not until you're going for Level 4 or Level 3W. From then on, there's a fitness test every season, and it gets tougher the higher you go. Your County FA will tell you the test and dates for your promotion year.
What's the difference between a Match Day Coach and an observer?
Match Day Coaches are there mainly to help you improve. Observers watch and mark your performance, and those marks count towards promotion, especially going for Level 4 and above. Learn from both.
I'm a woman referee. Which pathway do I follow?
You can progress on the women's pathway (Levels 4W up to 1W and FIFA), the main referee pathway, or both. Have a chat with your County FA about which suits your goals.
Ready for the next step?
Get in touch with your County FA's referee team to ask about promotion, and get your kit ready for the step up. We'll be cheering you on.
#WeAreRefereesLevel structure based on The FA's Rules of the Association (Referees regulations, 2025/26). Promotion examples based on County FA promotion packs. Checked October 2026. Criteria change every season, so always check with your County FA.