What are the full list of referee levels from 1-7 (e.g 3F etc)?

[DMRef]

Including levels within levels.

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

The FA website has this season’s details for you.

 

[DMRef]

The FA website has this season’s details for you.

I can’t find it. Have you got a link?

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

I can’t find it. Have you got a link?

Have a look at page 474 of the FA Handbook 2025-6, available online

 

[DMRef]

Have a look at page 474 of the FA Handbook 2025-6, available online

Thanks. So has level 7 and 6 been scrapped then and just level 5 and above now for adult football? I can’t see them on the list of levels.

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

No. Levels 7 and 6 were to become 5b and 5c, but then that change was postponed/abandoned.
7 and 6 are grassroots, 5 is grassroots with senior status, and at Level 4 the referee deals directly with the FA for appointments, CPD, etc.

 

[RustyRef]

No. Levels 7 and 6 were to become 5b and 5c, but then that change was postponed/abandoned.
7 and 6 are grassroots, 5 is grassroots with senior status, and at Level 4 the referee deals directly with the FA for appointments, CPD, etc.

Strange that they updated the handbook though ...

 

[DMRef]

I see. Have you a link that shows the current levels from 1-4? Pretty sure I’ve seen that there’s other levels within levels 3,2 and 1?

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

I see. Have you a link that shows the current levels from 1-4? Pretty sure I’ve seen that there’s other levels within levels 3,2 and 1?

The only other levels are in women's football and Futsal, which are also in the FA Handbook.

 

[es1]

There's sub levels for refs with dual and specialist roles

 

[DMRef]

Strange that they updated the handbook though ...

View attachment 8481

The only other levels are in women's football and Futsal, which are also in the FA Handbook.

I am what’s

There's sub levels for refs with dual and specialist roles.

 

[DMRef]

I know some refs at level 4 are SARs but what does dual roles mean?

 

[es1]

I know some refs at level 4 are SARs but what does dual roles mean?

Officials who both line and ref (dual role)

 

[Russell Jones]

At level 4, the vast majority of officials are in a dual role (ref and AR). At Level 3, all officials again start in this way, but within a few years they have to opt to specialise as a referee or an AR. By the time you get to the National List, almost all officials are specialising in one or the other.

 

[DMRef]

When you say ‘within a few years’ do you mean a few years after being level 3 or a few years after being level 4 and above?

 

[RustyRef]

When you say ‘within a few years’ do you mean a few years after being level 3 or a few years after being level 4 and above?

From getting level 3. Level 4s can choose to go down the specialist AR route but there is no obligation to do so, level 3s have to choose.

Quite pleased I'd left the system before that decision came in. I was a much better AR than referee but much preferred refereeing and it would have been an extremely difficult choice to make.