Level 6 County Referees: A County Referee is a Referee who has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Football Association, Affiliated Association or Service Association as required by FA regulations, the ability to officiate at Level 6.

Prior to season 2001/2002, Level 6 Referees were previously known as  Class 2 & 2X  levels.

The responsibility of promoting Referees to Level 6 rests with the Affiliated Association in which the Referee resides and who administers the Referee's registration. In accordance with the marking year all selections to Level 6 must be  made by 30 April each year.

For promotion from Level 7 to Level 6 the Referee must:

Apply for promotion in writing to the Affiliated Association by no later than 1 June preceding the season in which promotion is sought. 

Promotion is based on a Referee's practical performance on the field of play determined from Competitions for players over the age of 16 years by:

Assessment reports and markings given by Referees' Assessors on a minimum of three games. An Assessor is an individual authorised by The Football Association to carry out assessments at levels determined by the Football Association. Assessments are written appraisals of a Referee's performance on the field of play, carried out by an Assessor, on behalf of The Football Association, Affiliated Association or Competition and submitted to the appropriate body. Marks, are a numerical indication of a Referee's performance on the field of play, awarded by an Assessor on completion of an Assessment, on a scale defined by The Football Association (1 to 100).  It is important for Referees seeking promotion to inform the Assessors' Appointment Secretary of their appointments so that they can be assessed on a minimum of three matches.

Note: Prior to season 2001/2002, Level 7 Referees were previously known as  Class 3 Referees.

A Level 7 Referee must serve a minimum of one Registration Period before applying for promotion to Level 6. After this promotion a Referee can proceed at the rate he is capable of. No Affiliated Association may impose any other qualification periods which cause delayed passage through the promotion pyramid.

Level 8 Youth Referee:  A Level 8 includes all Referees between the ages of 14 and 16 as at 1st March each season. A Level 8 Referee will automatically become a Level 7 Referee on successful completion of the Basic Referees' Course and having attained the age of 16. Referees under the age of 16 are eligible only to officiate in Competitions for players aged under 16.

Level 9 Trainee Referee:  Trainee Referees undertaking the Basic Training Course will be registered as Level 9. A Level 9 Referee will automatically become a Level 7 Referee on successful completion of the Basic Referees Course (Tier 2) and having attained the age of 16.  

Trainee Referees, once registered as such, may be appointed as Match Officials in accordance with FA Regulations.

On passing Tier 1 of the 'Two-Tier' Basic Referees course, a Trainee Referee can register with the local County FA as a Level 9 Trainee Referee. This will cover them for public liability insurance. If they join the local Referees' Society, the registration also includes personal insurance, as long as they Register as a Level 9.

A Level 9 Trainee Referee is a potential candidate who has undergone the Basic (Tier 1) Referees Course, having successfully demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of the Laws of Associated Football, but has yet to take the initial Tier 2 examination.