To become a referee you are first required to take a course, which will usually take one evening per week over a 6-week period.
CLASS 3
The course will provide you with details of the laws of the game and if you successfully complete the course you will receive your class three registration. From this point you will be qualified to referee local "parks" football matches and will usually start off in the lower divisions of the league.
CLASS 2
When you have gained some experience as a referee you can apply for your class two qualification. To achieve your class two you will be assessed on a few occasions by experienced referees who will comment on your performance. If you performances are up to standard you will be recommended for your Class two. At this stage you will be refereeing more demanding local games and will be taking up assistant referee duties on a supply (or county) league.
CLASS 1
When you have achieved your class 2 qualification you are eligible to apply for your class one. This is the highest referee qualification. Your class one is achieved by a series of assessments in your local league, if you pass at this standard you are put forward to your county matches. The county matches with be with assistant referees, you are assessed on all of these matches and depending on the marks achieved you will be recommended for promotion to class one. On achieving your class one you will usually referee on your local supply league, and take up assistant refereeing duties on a contributory league (e.g. North West Counties, Unibond league). Further promotions are based on club and assessors marks, where you may if lucky be promoted to referee on the contributory league, the panel (i.e. Football conference) and the football / premier leagues.
Refereeing is a rewarding and enjoyable pastime, if you would like more information on becoming a referee, see the information details.