Course Content

Pre course guide- New Referee Course Guide 2024-25

Online Learning

Before we can allow candidates onto one of our FA Referee Courses, they must first have completed a Learn The Laws Module and completed an FA Online Safeguarding Course, with it registered on their own FAN record.

Getting a FAN account

Please use the link below on how to create a FAN account, please use an email address that is not used by another FAN account user.

Creating a FAN Account

Creating a FAN account for U18s

Please use the below link to create and link an U18 FAN account, this is important as all learning must be completed on the users account:

U18 FAN Account

Pre course learning

The Online Learn the Laws Learning Module can be accessed at:

Learn the Laws

If you are under the age of 16, or a parent / guardian, you might find the information at the refereeing help centre useful when logging in. Please access it 

Referee Help Centre

The Online Safeguarding Course can be accessed at:

https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses/safeguarding/safeguarding-for-all

All candidates can currently complete the ‘Safeguarding for All’ course option, and Learn the Laws Learning Modules, for FREE of charge using their unique FAN number.

The Safeguarding for All course will take around 45 minutes to complete. The Learn the Laws Learning Modules will take around 90 minutes to complete.

These must be complete and you must complete the below form to prove that these have been on your own FAN account before you are provided with any booking links for upcoming courses.

Once you have completed both online modules please complete the below form where your account will be checked and verified that the learning has been completed, you will then receive an email with all course booking links

https://forms.office.com/e/SYYcYeCq1Z

Face to Face Training

The courses are held either over 2 evenings or one full day.
The training room work includes:
• Fun, interactive quizzes
• How to establish rapport and build relationships with players and coaches
• Recognising and dealing with foul challenges and handball
• Managing offside
• Dealing with inappropriate behaviour
• Managing players

On the pitch, you will have the opportunity to turn your knowledge into skills through refereeing game based scenarios. You will practise:
• Communicating decisions
• Cautioning and sending off techniques
• Managing the kick off, free kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks and throw-ins
• Positioning in open play and at restarts
• Being an assistant referee

Cost
New referee course £120 (includes whistle, flags, cards and notebook and a mentor visit)
DBS £10 (If 16 years or older you will require a FA DBS check)

New Referee Course Guide 

Click here to download your referee course handbook.

Qualifying as Referee

To qualify as a referee, you must referee five games after you have attended the face to face training and submitted them on the 5 games form https://forms.office.com/r/uA2H9USCsg.

You will then be invited to attend a referee call back session at Durham FA where you will receive your certificate and FA Referee badge.

You will be supported through those five games by your County Football Association (CFA) as you will be appointed a mentor who will be able to come and watch you referee. As you continue your refereeing career, you will then be able to access further training opportunities, both online and face to face.

Upcoming courses

No Course Dates To Suit You?

If there are no course dates to suit you then you can click below and fill in our Referee Course Expression of Interest form.

EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST HERE