International: Referees on the National List of Referees who are, in the year of classification, currently on the FIFA List of Referees.

Level 1: Referees selected by The Football Association to serve on the National List of Referees and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level.
Level 2: Referees selected by The Football Association to serve on the Panel List of Referees and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level.
Level 3: Referees, other than those on the Panel List of Referees, selected to officiate on a Contributory League and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level.
Level 4: Referees selected to officiate on a Supply League and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level.
Level 5: Senior County Referees. This classification includes referees who have served at a higher level.*
Level 6: County Referees.
Level 7: Junior Referees not in Level 8 or below:
Level 8: Youth Referee. Referees who qualify but have not yet reached the age of 16. On reaching that age the referee will immediately move to level 8.
Level 9: Trainee Referees -Referees who have participated in the two-tier training programme and who need to register in order to be covered by public liability insurance. On qualifying the referee will immediately move to level 8 or 7 as appropriate.
Level 1O: Declared non-active Referees**. This can include assessors, instructors etc.

*Where a Referee has achieved a level higher than Level 5 and is not retained at the higher level, the Referee is to be classified as a Level 5 Referee, with the option of further promotion in the normal way or until a status of non-active is declared by the individual.

**A referee registering in one of the active categories is declaring himself/herself available for appointments.

Promotion to Level 6 and Level 5 classification shall be based on a Referee's practical performance on the field of play. This will be determined by considering the Marks and Assessments given by Assessors on a minimum of three (3) games and the Club reports from the Competitions officiated in as a Referee, in Competitions for players over the age of 16 years, over a minimum of twenty (20) games, during anyone marking period.

Referees may not be promoted direct to Level 5 and must serve a minimum of one Registration Period in Level 7 and Level 6.

In addition to their practical performance on the field of play Referees will be required to attend in-service training, as determined by The Football Association, and successfully complete a written examination set by The Football Association prior to the promotion being confirmed.

For promotion to Level 4 and above Referees will be required to successfully complete a fitness test and a written examination, as determined by The Football Association, annually prior to having their classification confirmed. On initial selection for promotion to a higher level. Referees may be required to attend an interview to ascertain their suitability against criteria determined by The Football Association.

The Football Association will determine the acceptable number of matches required for consideration to be selected to Levels 4 and above.