FA coaching badges are the way to go if you’re looking to become a qualified football coach. The FA
In short, FA coaching badges are the qualifications to become a qualified coach in the UK. The badges currently go from Level 1 to The FA UEFA Pro Licence. However, to become a coach at the elite level, just like most professions, you will need to gain the qualifications.
To give a more in-depth view
How Does the FA Coaching Badges System Work?
The coaching pathway is simply a level-based progression where an individual learns the ins and outs of football coaching. Overall, the courses cover the different ways that players learn and develop, to pitch coaching at the right level for different players.
The FA want to ensure a continuous culture within football coaching. Above all, they propose that all aspiring coaches should learn about their Long-Term Player Development programme. Furthermore, coaches should understand how they should be addressing the ‘four corners’ of a player’s development: technical, physical, social and psychological.
Level 1 is an
Whereas with level 4+ you can work as a manager/coach in the professional
How Do I Acquire My Football Coaching Badges?
The Football Association runs courses for aspiring coaches at all levels – the first two of which are offered by county
FA Level 1 & Level 2 in Coaching Football courses are administrated by your County FA.
To find your nearest County FA click here.
County FA’s are responsible for setting their own prices, venues and start dates. As a result, depending on which County FA you choose, the process of becoming a football coach can vary slightly because of the different variants involved. Similarly, the ability to book alone is something available via all County FAs.
The new UEFA B Licence will be launched at your County FA from August 2017. To book onto one of these courses, contact your local County FA.
Above all, the pathway to becoming a football coach is quite straight forward. Meaning that as long as you continue to progress along the way, gaining the necessary qualifications and experience, there should be little to no hiccups in your journey.
For example, let’s say you pay to take the FA Level 1 course. Once you’ve passed this level, you are allowed to pay again to take the FA Level 2 course. Once you’ve passed Level 2, you are then required to work or volunteer for a club to gain valuable experience which will enable you to progress up the coaching ladder further.
How Many FA Coaching Badges Are There?
There are 5 levels
- FA Level 1 in Coaching Football
- The FA Level 2 in Coaching Football
- FA Level 3 (UEFA B) in Coaching Football
- The FA Level 4 (UEFA A) in Coaching Football
- FA Level 5 (UEFA Pro) in Coaching Football
There were also youth coaching courses:
- The FA Youth Award Module 3
- FA Youth Award Assessment
- The FA Advanced Youth Award
However, in April 2016, The FA announced they were going to revise the coaching pathway to “modernise the first steps of The FA’s coaching pathway.” As a result, the changes apply mostly to the FA Level 1 and Level 2 courses.
To provide clarity to the coaching pathway available for coaches, The FA has recently revised all their coach education programmes to integrate the traditional coaching pathway (Level 1,2, 3 etc.) and the relatively new youth coaching pathway (Youth Modules 1,2&3).
How much do FA football coaching badges cost?
The cost of the FA football coaching badges is subject to the County FA you decide to take the course with but the average for each is around:
Level 1 – £150
Level 2 – £320
UEFA B – £720
UEFA A – £3000
There has been a lot of talk about the cost of FA coaching badges in the UK compared to other countries. Essentially, an aspiring coach would have to pay over £4000 if they went this route up the coaching ladder. However, many coaches seek financial support from their clubs to subsidise costs. Often counties can also discount their prices, making the entire process more affordable for everybody.
If you’re looking to become a coach, we can help! Here at Discount Football Kits, we have
I hold CAF license C and based in Ghana. How can I progress to obtain a UEFA license?
Kingdlu advice sir
I want to be a football coach.i want to start the coaching course i am in UAE(Dubai).
The web page isn’t available. How long does the level 1 course take?
Hi John, thanks for letting us know, we have updated the link now so it’s working again and the FA advise the level 1 course to take “43 hours (total qualification time) / 33 hours (guided learning)”
am a nigerian and am interested in becoming a coach, i need information on how to get my coaching certificate while in nigeria or if i need to travel out to get it
I’m 17 from Manchester I have the costs for the courses above but does passing the courses give you a job? What’s the best way about it
Hello,
I have been coaching and taking coaching courses in the United States. I currently have my USSF C License. What level can I start in the coaching ladder to obtain my UEFA license?
Hi Francisco,
I want to sign up in the States for the coaching courses/managerial badges, could you guide me as to the process to be followed?
Coming from Ghana want to take FA coaching badge with view to return to coach in Ghana.
What additional documents if any will I need, any difference in cost.
Can someone who is enrolled but not yet completed the level 1 course, start helping to coach an existing team? DBS will be in place
Hi,
I’m a 14 year old boy who’s about to start my GCSE’s and has plenty of experience in football. How young is it that you can get a coaching job?
You need to be 16 to do the coaching level 1 course but my son is 14 and has just qualified as an FA Referee and is going to do that whilst helping at a club until he is 16. Good Luck
In 1960 I took and passed the FA Coaching certificate course. It was called the preliminary coaching course. I remember it well for the fact that on the same occasion Tommy Docherty joined us and passed the full FA course at the same venue. That was on the Saturday and on the Monday Tommy was made manager of Chelsea (or was it Man United?). The thing is, now that I am 84 years old I’d like to buy a badge which honours that coaching certificate I gained then. I imagine things have changed a great deal since those early sixties… Read more »
Hi does level 1 expire? I completed it 13 years ago as what was intended as the first step to a career in coaching, then plans changed and babies came along which put football on hold. Iv recently been getting the football buzz back, was thinking about re starting coaching would I need to retake level 1?
I think you’d need to resit level 1 again. In order for it to remain valid I was pointed in the direction of doing a youth course within 2/3 years of level 1.
Hi, i was an apprentice player at a professional club when I was younger and did my FA coaching badge. Not sure what level I gained once I’d completed it? If anyone can confirm this for me either through experience or knowledge it would be much appreciated, thanks
I did the same thing for my club back in 2015 whilst I was YT and I received the level 2 certificate. I imagine if you did the course anytime in the last 10 years it would be the level 2 certificate.
Will this show up against your FAN in the whole game system still?
Hello I am 37, Can i still do the course from A level to be able to manage team.
The FA want to ensure a continuous culture within football coaching. Above all, they propose that all aspiring coaches should learn about their Long-Term Player Development programme. Furthermore, coaches should understand how they should be addressing the ‘four corners’ of a player’s development: technical, physical, social and psychological.
I am UEFA B qualified with the FA Youth Award and coach a team in the Junior Premier league that is connected to a pro club. Would I be able to get on the Advanced Youth Award without the academy category status (which it previously held)?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
How long does it take to get to level 2, eg how many sessions and things?
I’m a right leg amputee below the knee. I’m 31 I am an ex British army soldier.
Would this hold me back or would I even be able to do the course/s
Let nothing hold you back mate. Nothing.
Hi, I’m 15 and hopefully going to do my level 1 coaching course next year, but what level course do you need to start managing non-league teams?
Hi Will, once you have your FA Level 1 badge, you can manage a nonleague team.
How’s it going now with your coaching?
Hello my names Jordan. I’m 27 years old, I played football from a verry small boy until I was 16. I would love to teach young boys how to play football and teach them the skills they need to enjoy the game and become as best as they can be. I would love to start a team up of players from under 11’s up until under 16’s. If I do my level 1 course will that be all I will need to start a team up playing leage football
Hi, I was a professional soccer player and currently I’m living in the U.S., which level you advice me to start with and whether if i Can have UEFA license coaching while I’m in the U.S. or do I’ve to relocate/
You have no choice but to start at level 1, you can’t do 2 til 1 is complete and so on, when you’ve done 2 you can do uefa B, I’m assuming every country in Europe has a means to getting the uefa B, and A licenses then pro license, it will take years to do as the latter levels you have to be with a club and go through the season with them.
Im 16 and have practically no experience in football except watching it and playing games. Would it be advisable to go straight to level one? Or get some experience somehow?
Hi Freddie, yeah going straight into Level 1 would be a great starting point and will put you in the right direction going forward.
Hi,
I help coach an under 8’s team and which is affiliated with the Lincolnshire FA, can I do a Level 1 course through another FA ( as it’s cheaper and available sooner) or does it have to be through the Lincolnshire FA?
Hi Jez, yes you can do the course through another FA.
How do you verify a UEFA lic? Is there a database/ Do they last a lifetime?
i am 14 and want to be a coach looking for a degree in coaching how do i do that what do u recommend
My son is 14 and considering football coaching when he finishes his GCSE. What could he do for the next 2 years to gain experience? TIA
Keep playing the game as much as possible. Shadow/spend time with other coaches to get a feel for what they do.
Hi,
I would like to know about the visa process if I’m interested in doing Scottish FA C License.
I’m presently based in Saudi Arabia.
Do I need to obtain UK Standard Visit Visa ?
During the embassy interview can I tell them that I’m heading to do so and so course ?
Should I ask Scottish FA to provide me with a letter for visa process ?
Hi, i would like to start my road to be a manager but i’m working shifts 6-14 and 14-22 so my question is, how this courses looks like i mean time. and to pass level 3 need to manage team for a season what league need to be?? will be ok to manage east lanacshire league ?? thanks for answer
Once a qualified coach is there an annual charge for the coaching badge and/or further training regardless of the level.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Richard, no there isn’t an annual charge once you’ve qualified and you’re not required to do more training but everyone is different some people stop at level 1 or level 2 and some go all the way to Pro Licence but that totally depends on the individual.
Would coaching badges in Holland qualify to coach in the UK
To become a coach do I just drop everything and go through all the levels and hope to be successful? About how long does it take to go through all the levels and get the UEFA Pro License? And finally, how can I support myself financially if I’m working on getting through all the levels?
It will take some time if you take in consideration that you need to meet some requirements for each Level except level 1. So for level 1 you need no requirements to register and it will take around 43 hours spanned over 1 month period(around 7 days a month) so you can still have your normal job . Level 2 – the course is 145 hours and it will take around 3 to 4 months to finish it, it is spread in 3 blocks, like 1 week each month for example. But for this level you need some requirements, obviously… Read more »
Hello,
I’m currently in morocco.
I would like to come and start my coaching level in the uk.
But where do i start from.
I don’t know if i can pay online then after get the necessary documents to obtain the visa
You are better off checking wit the british embassy before you pay any money.
Also check with the FA via email if you are eligible to enrole on the course.
Hi.I would like to start coaching courses,and climb the ladder. My only issue is that I work so it there any flexibility for the courses? how long will it take to become a professional coach? Can I work abroad with this diploma?
Thank you in advance
hello, i live in lebanon and i would like to study to become a football manager please anyone can help me and give me some advice?
Thank you
over there
Many thanks for providing good advice. I already have coaching badges from USA.
Hi there,
I live in United States, would it be still valid? If not, how can I do my badges here?
Thanks,
Sean
Hi Sean, this guide is based around how to become a coach in the UK and you would have to physically be here to complete the course. We’re not too sure how to gain your badges in the USA.
Does the FA course require an English passport or can anyone from anywhere take the course?
Anyone can attend,you dont need a British passport.
U do a CRB check so good luck mate
Let’s say you get your badges. What are the chances that you will actually be employed by a club if you don’t have experience?
That’s a tough one because not every club is the same but I would suggest volunteering at a local club to gain experience.
so how exactly do you start or sign up for a coaching level 1 course? I am 16 going into college soon so I feel this would help along the way
Hi Josh, You’ll have to find your nearest County FA and sign up for the course through them
Very very unlikely. You have to be able to train man manage plane organise. You won’t just get a job u have to prove yourself mate
Do I have to be 16 or over to be able to get a coaching badge?
Hi Benjamin, yeah you do mate.
Hi I live in West London where is the nearest place to start football manager career so I can start or how.
Hi Nadir, you would have to find your nearest County FA, it would be best to contact London FA.
Hi there I live in brighton and I would like to study football coaching how can I start and where is the nearest place to study ?
Hi Sam, it’s best to go through your nearest County FA which would be Sussex FA if I’m not mistaken. Visit their website and you’ll find all the info you need to start. Good Luck!
Hi Sam . Did you register to become a football coach ??? I am based in brighton too and i am interested to register. Please contact me by email maybe we can share some info .
Romanionut86@yahoo.com
Cheers.
hi i live in Germany is there anyway i can do the course here and if its possible how long does it take to complete each level.i would also like to know does one need other requirements to be a coach
Hi KC,
You would have to ask someone who does coaching in Germany mate, we couldn’t give you an accurate answer as we’re referring to coaching in the UK.
Hi… I am from South Africa and am wanting to start with my level 1 coaching and continue up the ladder. I am also a good player and would like to get involved in a club to be able to play at the same time. How would I go about this…..
Many Thanx
Hi Tristan,
Unfortunately, this article only refers to becoming a coach in the UK, we don’t have any information about coaching in South Africa.
Where do you live and are you over 35 if so you can play vets football
Hi guys is it more efficient for me to study a course in college
Or do my fa badges
To be a football coach
Hi Joaquin, to solely become a football coach we would suggest going for your FA badges but there’s no reason why you couldn’t do both.
Hi I just wanted to know how difficult it is to find and join a club to coach once you have passed level 2.
Hi Raj, that would depend on your relationship with the local clubs in the area. A lot of clubs are always looking for volunteers, players, coaches etc. so it’s just a case of contacting the clubs.
Is the fee monthly or for a whole level.example 150 pounds for level one or monthly 150 pounds?
Hi Amman, the fee would be for that particular level.
Hi there, I did my Level 1 coaching badge about 10 years ago. Is there anyway of getting my certificate and or doing a refresher?
Thanks, M
Hi Mark,
If you contact the FA you completed the Level 1 Coaching Badge with, as long as they hold a record of your qualification on its database they should be able to provide you with a replacement certificate but there may be a fee.
Hello
I would like to know how to apply to study UEFA coaching badges and I would like to know details about it please…and if there’s mail to contact to ask or what?
Thank you so much
Hi Ahmed,
Which country are you looking to study in?
It takes about 4 years and yoh better gave played at or got a high level of understanding of the game. It’s experience and understanding not just WHAT u have seen on t.v mate .good luck
Happy Xmas mate
Hi what support is available if a young person wished to apply for the badges
Hi Chad, that would depend on the County FA you go through but every county has a vast range of support available.
Is Uefa B diploma the same as uefa b license
Hi Rakesh, in which country did you get your UEFA B Diploma?
I gained my level 3 around 6/7 years ago .But I haven’t coached for a few years .Is it still valid
Hi Guy, which County FA did you complete your coaching badges with?
I passed my level 1 25 years ago would I need to re take it now to start coaching or can I go straight to level 2?
Hi Neil, as the courses changed slightly back in August 2016. Did you complete the FA Youth Module 1 and FA Youth Module 2?