The FA Referee Course

There are five sections to the online learning and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. There are lots of videos to demonstrate how the Laws should be applied, activities to help reinforce the important points and, at the end of each module, there are some questions to test what you’ve learned.  

• Before the Match
• Signals and Communication
• ‘Getting it Right’
• Offside
• Managing Restarts and Set-Pieces

The online learning can be accessed at https://falearning.thefa.com/course/view.php?id=1804 

If you are under the age of 16, you might find the information at the FA Education Help Centre useful when logging in.

There is 11 hours of face-to-face training (normally one evening, followed by a full day and a re-connection session), which mixes training room work with practical activity on a pitch. Key messages from the online learning are reinforced throughout.  The training room work includes:

• Interactive sessions
• Creating Chemistry 
• Fair or foul
• Communication
• Managing the game
• Referee Welfare

On the pitch, you will have the opportunity to turn your knowledge into skills through refereeing game-based scenarios. You will practise:

• Communicating decisions
• Positioning in open play
• Cautioning and sending off techniques
• Managing restarts of play
• Being an assistant referee

This module is a core requirement for completing the course and offers a valuable opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired so far. Matches will be arranged through local grassroots leagues or clubs and may include mini soccer, 9v9, or 11v11 formats. To fulfil the module requirements, you must complete either three central venue weekends (multi-match days) or five home-and-away fixtures.

This mandatory module will be delivered either face-to-face or online, depending on your County Football Association. It includes re-connection activities, discussions on current hot topics, a celebration marking the completion of the course, and guidance to support your continued development as a referee.

Upon successful completion of all five modules and meeting The FA’s safeguarding requirements, you will become a qualified referee, registered with your County FA for the current season. Your County FA will issue your official certificate.

As you progress in your refereeing journey, you will have access to ongoing development opportunities, including both online and face-to-face training through your County Football Association.