Football Agents Licence Applications
The process for becoming a Licensed Agent is relatively straightforward and begins with your application to the national association of the country of which you are a national (in accordance with Article 6 of the FIFA Players’ Agent Regulations).
The FA has an 'application window' system to ensure that our applicants have maximum time to undertake the relevant Criminal Records Bureau ('CRB') checks and prepare adequately for their examination.
The application window for the Spring 2010 exam is now closed. The application window for the Autumn 2010 exam will open in May 2010.
FIFA have confirmed the Spring 2010 exam date as Thursday 15 April 2010.
Once the application process is complete, details with regards to exam arrangements will be sent out to all applicants who have completed the application process which includes supplying adequate proof of residence, clearance of the exam fee and having their CRB Disclosure completed and approved by The FA. The CRB Disclosure must be received and approved by The FA before candidates can be invited to attend the examination.
The application process involves the following steps:-
1. There are two general stages to applications.
a) Completion of The FA application form and submission of the application fee and supporting documents.
b) Completion of the CRB forms and submission of the CRB fee.
2. Once the window is open, to initiate the process, you should initially download an FA application form.
You are advised to read the attached Protocols, Procedures and Policy document for the Test of Good Character and Reputation for FA Licensed Agents before completing the Application Form.
3. Please complete and return the application form, along with the relevant supporting documents to:-
Mr Robert Marsh, Financial Regulation Department, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ.
The application fee of £200 (including resits) (cheque or postal order only please, made payable to 'The Football Association Ltd') must accompany your application form.
Previous versions of the application form will not be accepted and will delay your application being processed.
4. Supporting Documents
The FA requires applicants to submit supporting documents with their applications. If you are an English national, please submit a copy of the photo page and cover page of your passport.
If you are not English, please submit proof of residency and address details covering the last two years. For this purpose, The FA will accept any two of the following: utility bill, mobile phone bill, mortgage statement, bank or building society statement, addressed payslip, P45 or P60. One of these documents should prove your residency/address as of two years ago and one should prove your current residency/address and not be more than three months old.
5. CRB Disclosure
Part of the assessment of your application will be to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check. Once The FA has received your completed form, you will be sent the relevant forms and guidance notes to you directly.
You should complete the disclosure form and send this, together with the CRB fee of £48 to the address shown in the CRB Unit pack. Please do not send the CRB form and fee to The FA. As the CRB Disclosure process can take approximately 12 weeks to be completed, make sure you send the form and relevant supporting documents to The FA CRB Unit as soon as possible.
You will not be eligible to sit the examination until clearance of your suitability to become a Football Agent has been confirmed through the CRB procedure.
For further information on the CRB process, follow this link to the CRB Frequently Asked Questions
6. Recommended Reading
The relevant FIFA and FA study materials are availiable to download from The FA website, below.
All applicants will be sent examples of previous exam papers upon approval of their application along with any other relevant material for the examination.
7. Once the application form and CRB checks have been approved, your details will be recorded and you will be notified of the next available examination date, as soon as this information has been provided by FIFA.
Please note that due to the timeframe of assessing applications and undertaking CRB checks, your place at a specific examination sitting can not always be guaranteed. You are therefore advised to apply as early as possible within each application window, and to complete all necessary paperwork on a timely basis.
8. The Exam
All accepted applicants will be invited to an examination sitting. At present, these are held in March and September each year. Two passport-sized photographs and ID will be required upon attendance.
The examination is based on both FIFA and FA Regulations concerning players.
You are, however, advised to consult the FIFA and FA websites from time to time for all relevant circulars, developments and amendments to the regulations.
Following attendance at the examination, entrants will be sent their result within two weeks and advised of the next steps to take.
The FA does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the study information which is provided as a courtesy. The FA does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising as a result of incompleteness or inaccuracy in the information provided.
9. Once the exam has been passed, the applicant must also produce the following documents:-
- Signed and dated Code of Professional Conduct – as found in Annexe 1 to the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations;
- Professional Indemnity Insurance – in accordance with Article 9 of the FIFA Players' Agents Regulations.
10. Once we have all the relevant documents, your licence will be issued and your details submitted to FIFA for the purposes of their website. Please note that you are not entitled to act as a Licensed Agent until you receive the actual licence and our formal acknowledgement.
Thereafter, you may refer to yourself as a 'Players’ Agent licensed by The FA' and are permitted to talk to Players without current representation, or accept offers of representation from Players and Clubs directly approaching you.
If you have any doubts over the existence of a current contractual relationship, or wish to report an alleged breach of the Regulations, you may address your concerns in writing to The FA, for the attention of Andrew Penn.
Please consult the 'Frequently Asked Questions’ section, which may address any further queries you may have about the licensing process.
IN SUMMARY
1. Complete and return The FA application and send to: Robert Marsh, Football Agents Applications, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ.
Documents required: Application form, fee of £200 (including resits), proof of residency and copy of front cover and photo page of passport.
2. Receive CRB Disclosure form and guidance. Complete and return form and fee to CRB Unit (NOT The FA).
Documents required: CRB Forms, fee of £48.
3. Download relevant study information.
4. The FA will contact you to confirm or decline eligibility for the agents’ examination. Those approved will be sent exam invitations.
Documents required: Exam entry form to indicate attendance.
5. Attend examination
Documents required: Please bring ID and photos.
6. Receive exam result
Documents required: Proof of insurance, signed code of conduct.
However, please note that applications will be rejected where:-
- Any aspect of the application contravenes the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations; and/or
- The FA CRB Panel deems an applicant unsuitable on the basis of his CRB disclosure, or where an applicant fails to complete CRB disclosure forms.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE £200 (including resits) APPLICATION FEE WILL BE FORFEITED (notwithstanding any appeal in accordance with FA and FIFA Regulations).
If you are in any doubt, you are advised to consult The FA before submitting your application.
Recommended Reading for Examination
Click here to download documents which it is recommended you read before the exam.
FAQs
Our most frequently received questions regarding players' agents. More>>
