All referees have to undertake FA Safeguarding Children training before they will be able to register with The FA as a referee. You will complete this either before or during the course and certification will last for three years. The cost of this is included in the course fee. 

All referees aged 16 years or over who wish to officiate in youth football must undertake an FA CRC enhanced check. This is a simple online process which will be fully explained to you at the introduction evening and will need to be in process before the commencement of the course. Certification last for three years and there is a small additional charge for this process. 

     After completion of the pre-course study programme (Unit 1), you will move onto Unit 2 of the overall course, which contains the following sessions:

1) Practical Referee Training - Unit 2:

This is an all-day session so you will need to come prepared with food and drinks etc., plus come suitably dressed; a change of footwear is essential as are shin-guards. It will involve learning how to referee outside on the field of play and also involve some classroom work. You will be given the learning resources and all necessary equipment (whistle, red/yellow cards etc.) at this session but you will need to bring a pen and pad to take notes. At the end of this day, you will have the opportunity to referee part of a game among your group of candidates.

2) Fouls and Misconduct Training - Unit 3:

This is a 2½ hour session which will include ‘Recognising Challenges’ and the Misconduct procedure.

3) Practical Referee Training and Evaluation - Unit 4:

This is a second all-day session which will be mostly completed outside on the field of play. The second part of the day includes a practical evaluation where you will have another opportunity to referee part of a game among the group. The evaluation will include staged scenarios which will provide you with opportunity to consolidate your learning from the previous sessions and receive immediate feedback. Provided you attain the minimum standard required when evaluated, you will be sanctioned to operate as an FA Level 9 (trainee) referee.

4) Experience & Mentored Unit - Unit 5:

Having successfully graduated from the first four units of the training course, you will now officiate in a minimum of 5 games of football (9v9 or 11v11) and will be mentored during a number of games by FA Referee Mentors. A record of these games is compiled as evidence of your development. During this period, in addition to gaining practical experience, you will have time to learn and revise the Laws of the Game thoroughly before returning to complete the final unit of the course.

5) FA Examination & Call Back Unit - Unit 6:

This is a 2 hour session and the final part of the course. It involves the successful completion of the FA Examination of the Laws of the Game (a multiple choice examination of approx. 30 minutes duration), and an opportunity to review and discuss your learning experiences from your games thus far as a trainee referee. You will be rewarded with an FA Referee Certificate of Qualification along with an FA Referee badge when successful completion of the course is attained (usually within 4 weeks of completion of the course). Unit 6 can only be attended and completed when a minimum of 5 games as an FA Level 9 (trainee) referee have been refereed. The County FA will advise you of the dates of the Unit 6 sessions throughout the season and these can be planned in with your course tutor. It is possible to attend an alternative date either earlier or later if necessary but this final session must be completed within 4 calendar months of the date of the first Practical Training Session at the start of Unit 2. 

Successful completion of all six units of The FA Referee Course sees the candidate move from FA Level 9 (trainee) to FA Level 8 referee (if aged 14 or 15) or FA Level 7 referee (if/when aged 16 or over). 

Appointment of these first five games is crucial to the course and for your self-development as a referee. These will be communicated to you by your County FA either prior to or during the course itself. 

Yes you will need to re-register with Northamptonshire FA each season. This is an online process and currently costs £20 (about one match fee). Further information can be found by clicking here.

Northamptonshire FA provide a strong support network for newly qualified referees. In addition to being mentored early-on, you will be invited to attend development sessions with relevant advice available. You can also contact the County FA Referee Development Team at any time should you have any issues or questions. 

Northamptonshire FA is keen to see and help its referees develop and progress to achieve their full potential and as such, have a structured promotion pathway for referees. The basic requirement is that you must have refereed a minimum of 20 games prior to seeking to be promoted. Applications to Northamptonshire FA for promotion are made during February of each year. For further details contact your Referee Development Officer at the County FA offices or click here.