Licensing


This information is for anyone operating in an England Athletics licensed role which includes:

  • Qualified Coaches and Leaders
  • Technical Officials – Track and Field or endurance
  • Guide Runners

The easiest way to find out the exact licensing requirements for your role is to log onto myAthletics Portal and visit your Coach or Officials Licence Checker. This can be found by clicking on the ‘My Profile’ section in the top right and selecting ‘My Coach Licence’ or ‘My Officials Licence’.

myAthletics Portal Officials checklist

The checklists will display:

  • Specific licensing requirements for your role
  • Which of these are currently valid
  • Display links that will direct you to the appropriate training
  • Show the date your licence is valid to

Here are the specific requirements for each licensed role:

Licensing requirements

Gain your Officials licence
  1. Complete your qualification
  2. Obtain an EA DBS – this is required for all officiating roles*
  3. Complete the Mandatory Safeguarding in Athletics Training online learning modules
  4. Complete the online Health and Safety modules (Track and Field disciplines only – Endurance Officials complete a risk awareness module as part of their qualification)
  5. Accept the Technical Officials Licence Terms and Conditions
  6. Accept the Technical Officials Code of Conduct
  7. Upload a suitable passport style photo


Once all the above steps are complete your licence will be processed and sent to you in about 8 weeks.

*Level 4 Officials complete a UKA DBS.

Renew your Officials licence

All licences need to be renewed on a three year cycle and you should receive an email notifying you of your renewal date three months in advance. You will need to log onto myAthletics Portal and go to your Officials Licence Checker to find out the exact re-licensing requirements for your specific role. As a general rule the following steps will need to be taken:

  1. Renew you EA DBS*
  2. Book and complete the Mandatory Safeguarding in Athletics Training online learning modules
  3. Accept the Technical Officials Licence Terms and Conditions
  4. Accept the Technical Officials Code of Conduct
  5. Upload a suitable passport style photo (if your current photo is over 10 years old)


Once all the above steps are complete your licence will be processed and sent to you in about 8 weeks.

*Level 4 Officials complete a UKA DBS.

Gain your Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) or Guide Runner licence
  1. Complete your qualification
  2. Accept the EA Self Declaration statement on your Coach Licence Checker if working with adults only OR obtain an EA DBS if working with under 18’s or adults at risk
  3. Complete the Mandatory Safeguarding in Athletics Training online learning modules (if you’re working with under 18’s you will also need to book and attend the Mandatory Safeguarding Training in Athletics Webinar)
  4. Complete the online Mandatory First Aid Essentials in Sport and Active Leisure training course
  5. Accept the Coach Licence Terms and Conditions
  6. Accept the Coaches Code of Conduct
  7. Upload a suitable passport style photo


Once all the above steps are complete your licence will be processed and sent to you in about 8 weeks.

Renew your LiRF or Guide Runner licence

All licences need to be renewed on a three year cycle and you should receive an email notifying you of your renewal date three months in advance. You will need to log onto myAthletics Portal and go to your Coach Licence Checker to find out the exact re-licensing requirements for your specific role. As a general rule the following steps will need to be taken:

  1. Accept the EA Self Declaration statement on your Coach Licence Checker if working with adults only OR obtain an EA DBS if working with under 18’s or adults at risk
  2. Complete the Mandatory Safeguarding in Athletics Training online learning modules (if you’re working with under 18’s you will also need to be and attend the Mandatory Safeguarding Training in Athletics Webinar)
  3. Book and complete the online Mandatory First Aid Essentials in Sport and Active Leisure training course
  4. Accept the Coach Licence Terms and Conditions
  5. Accept the Coaches Code of Conduct
  6. Upload a suitable passport style photo (if your current photo is over 10 years old)


Once all the above steps are complete your licence will be processed and sent to you in about 8 weeks.

Gain your Coaches licence
  1. Complete your qualification
  2. Accept the EA Self Declaration statement on your Coach Licence Checker if working with adults only OR obtain an EA DBS if working with under 18’s or Adults at risk (anyone under 16 years of age needs to complete a self declaration statement and gain parental consent)
  3. Complete the Mandatory Safeguarding in Athletics Training online learning modules. Sessional Coaches, Athletics Coaches and Coaches in Running Fitness also need to attend the Mandatory Safeguarding Training in Athletics Virtual Classroom which is booked as part of your qualification*
  4. Complete the online Mandatory First Aid Essentials in Sport and Active Leisure training course*
  5. Accept the Coach Licence Terms and Conditions
  6. Accept the Coaches Code of Conduct
  7. Upload a suitable passport style photo


Once all the above steps are complete your licence will be processed and sent to you in about 8 weeks.

*Not applicable to anyone under 16 years of age.

Renew your Coaches licence

All licences need to be renewed on a three year cycle and you should receive an email notifying you of your renewal date three months in advance. You will need to log onto myAthletics Portal and go to your Coach Licence Checker to find out the exact re-licensing requirements for your specific role. As a general rule the following steps will need to be taken:

  1. Accept the EA Self Declaration statement on your coach licence checker if working with adults only OR obtain an EA DBS if working with under 18’s or Adults at risk. Anyone under 16 years of age needs to complete a self declaration statement and gain parental consent 
  2. Book and complete the Mandatory Safeguarding in Athletics Training online learning modules. Sessional Coaches, Athletics Coaches, Coaches in Running Fitness and L2-4 Coaches also need to book and complete the Mandatory Safeguarding Training in Athletics Virtual Classroom* 
  3. Complete the online Mandatory First Aid Essentials in Sport and Active Leisure training course*
  4. Accept the Coach Licence Terms and Conditions
  5. Accept the Coaches Code of Conduct
  6. Upload a suitable passport style photo (if your current photo is over 10 years old)


Once all the above steps are complete your licence will be processed and sent to you in about 8 weeks.

*Not applicable to anyone under 16 years of age 

Other useful information

Coaches and Leaders operating in certain environments need to assess the risk and determine whether an additional category of First Aid qualification is required. We have created this useful guide to help you assess which category of First Aid qualification you require. The First Aid training we provide covers category A requirements only and category B or C training will need to be sourced locally.

We appreciate that many volunteers in athletics and running carry out more than one role. If you carry out more than one licensed role we will not ask you to duplicate any of the steps above. For exact requirements you will need to check your Coach or Officials Licence Checker as outlined above.

You may hold a qualification not referenced above. In this case please follow the steps to access your Coach Licence Checker in order to understand the steps required to renew your licence.