What you can coach with Sports Technician Level 1 in Football
The Sports Technician Level 1 in Football (initial cycle, intermediate grade) is Spain's official academic qualification equivalent to the UEFA B licence (Art. 167 bis RFEF, ratified by the CSD in April 2025). It clears you as head coach up to autonomous youth, Liga Nacional Juvenil, senior amateur and women's Tercera RFEF. Permanent title, MEC-grant eligible.
Academic or federation pathway? Decide based on your professional goal.
WizardWhat is TD-1 and why it differs from federation UEFA B
The Sports Technician Level 1 in Football is an official qualification regulated by Royal Decree 320/2000, awarded by Spain's Ministry of Education (MEFP). As a professional qualification it can be recognised in other EU countries through Directive 2005/36/EC on mutual recognition of qualifications. The federation UEFA C, in contrast, is a licence managed by regional federations under the UEFA Coaching Convention.
Both let you coach the same categories in Spanish competition (UEFA B level = autonomous youth + Liga Nacional Juvenil + senior amateur + women's Tercera RFEF), but TD-1 is an academic qualification (with common, specific and placement blocks) while UEFA B is a professional licence that expires if not renewed. For many coaches the difference boils down to a calculation of time, money and medium-term ambition.
For the full map of what each federation licence covers, start from what you can coach with UEFA C, B, A and Pro.
Categories you can coach with TD-1
TD-1 clears you for the same categories as federation UEFA B: full grassroots, autonomous youth, Liga Nacional Juvenil, territorial senior amateur and women's Tercera RFEF.
| Category | Player age | TD-1 head coach? |
|---|---|---|
| Under-7 (Prebenjamín) | 6-7 | Yes |
| Under-9 (Benjamín) | 8-9 | Yes |
| Under-11 (Alevín) | 10-11 | Yes |
| Under-13 (Infantil) | 12-13 | Yes |
| Under-15 (Cadete) | 14-15 | Yes |
| Regional and autonomous youth | 16-18 | Yes |
| Liga Nacional Juvenil | 16-18 | Yes |
| Territorial senior amateur (Preferente, Primera Regional) | Adult | Yes |
| Women's Tercera RFEF | Adult | Yes |
| Men's Tercera RFEF and above | Adult | No (requires UEFA A / TD Level 2) |
Practical differences with federation UEFA B
Same competitive ceiling, but five differences that matter when choosing:
| Aspect | TD Level 1 (academic) | UEFA B (federation) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | MEFP (Ministry of Education) | Regional federation |
| EU recognition | Yes (official qualification) | Yes (via UEFA Coaching Convention) |
| Validity | Permanent (no expiry) | 3 years (renewal required) |
| Price | €800-1,800 | €400-1,200 |
| Duration | 9-12 months (regulated course) | 6 months (intensive possible) |
| MEC grant access | Yes | No |
| Access to Level 2 (academic) | Direct from TD-1 | Requires accrediting common block equivalent to TD-1 |
Real academic advantages of TD-1
TD-1 offers three advantages the federation pathway does not cover:
- MEC grant. As an official academic qualification, students can apply for the tuition grant from the Ministry of Education. Federation UEFA B is not eligible.
- Partial recognition within the education system. The TD-1 common block (anatomy, physiology, first aid) may count toward other sports vocational courses (TAFAD) and, at some universities, toward CAFD/INEF degrees. There is no automatic national equivalence: each university sets its own.
- Direct path to TD Level 2. You do not need to prove additional experience to enrol in Level 2 (= academic UEFA A). The federation pathway requires 6 months of experience with an active licence before UEFA B.
Tuition for the academic pathway ranges from €800 to €1,800 depending on the centre (CENAFE, ACADEF, ANEF and public sports vocational schools). To compare both pathways in detail, see Sports Technician vs UEFA Licence.
TD-1 course structure
The TD Level 1 in Football is organised in three blocks:
These are the minimum teaching hours set by Royal Decree 320/2000 (Annex I):
- Common block (65 hours): anatomy and physiology basics, first aid, sports organisation, role of the coach.
- Specific block (90 hours): grassroots football methodology, laws of the game, basic technique and tactics, fitness in grassroots.
- Complementary block (15 hours).
- Placement block (80 hours): tutored placements at a federation club with a trainee coaching licence.
Minimum state-level total: 250 hours. On that base, each autonomous community develops its own curriculum and can extend the real load up to 400-455 hours (a regional add-on, not federal). Total duration runs 9-12 months (annual or intensive semester). Entry requires the ESO diploma (or equivalent) and passing the specific access test organised by each regional federation under Annex II of RD 320/2000.
When to pick TD-1 over federation UEFA B
TD-1 makes more sense in three concrete scenarios:
- You will pursue further academic studies in sports (CAFD, INEF, sports vocational training): TD-1 counts as credit and accumulates.
- You need the MEC grant: the federation pathway is not eligible, the academic one is.
- You want a permanent qualification that does not expire: TD-1 is an official permanent qualification; the federation UEFA B licence expires every 3 years and requires continuing education to renew.
On the other side, the federation UEFA B (the professional equivalent of TD-1) is more suitable if cost is the decisive factor: €400-1,200 and 8-12 months gets you the same professional ceiling without an academic qualification. If your goal is just to start in grassroots without reaching autonomous youth or senior amateur yet, the federation UEFA C (entry point, no academic equivalent) is the fastest and cheapest route.
Next step: TD Level 2
TD Level 2 in Football is the academic equivalent of UEFA B and the natural next step if you have chosen the academic pathway. Requirement: hold TD-1 and have completed the corresponding common block. Duration around 1 academic year with deeper technical and tactical content, plus mandatory placements.
If your goal is semi-professional football (Tercera/Segunda RFEF, División de Honor Juvenil), you have two options: continue the academic chain up to TD Level 3 (equivalent to UEFA A), or switch to the federation pathway after TD-2. Many coaches combine both: TD-1 and TD-2 for the grant and credit, then federation UEFA A for time and money savings.
Frequently asked questions
Is TD Level 1 the same as UEFA B?
Yes, they are professionally equivalent (Article 167 bis of the RFEF Regulations, ratified by the CSD in April 2025), but they are NOT the same qualification. TD-1 is awarded by the Ministry of Education as a permanent official academic qualification; UEFA B is managed by regional federations as a professional licence that expires every 3 years.
Can I coach grassroots football with TD-1?
Yes, without restrictions. TD-1 clears you to coach as head coach from under-7 to under-16 at any Spanish regional federation. Some federations also clear regional youth; review your federation's official circular before signing.
How much does TD Level 1 in Football cost?
Between €800 and €1,800 depending on the authorised centre (CENAFE, ACADEF, ANEF, public sports vocational schools). More expensive than federation UEFA C (€200-600), but eligible for MEC grant and permanent — no renewal needed.
Can I apply for the MEC grant for TD-1?
Yes. As an official academic qualification, students can apply for the tuition grant and, in some cases, transport and residence grants from the Ministry of Education. The grant usually covers between 50% and 100% of tuition at public centres.
How long does TD Level 1 last?
Between 9 and 12 months depending on the centre. The minimum teaching set by RD 320/2000 is 250 hours: common block (65 h), football-specific block (90 h), complementary block (15 h) and tutored placement at a federation club (80 h). Autonomous communities can extend the real load up to 400-455 hours.
Does TD-1 count as UEFA B in another European federation?
Inside Spain the RFEF recognises TD-1 as equivalent to UEFA B (Art. 167 bis RFEF Regulations, ratified by the CSD in April 2025). To move to another European federation, the equivalence is not automatic: it is processed through mutual recognition under the UEFA Coaching Convention and the decision belongs to the destination federation. Always verify with that federation before moving.
How do I move from TD-1 to TD-2?
Access from TD-1 to TD Level 2 is direct: you do not need to prove additional months of experience (unlike federation UEFA C to UEFA B, which requires 6 months with an active licence). TD-2 is equivalent to UEFA B and runs for approximately one more academic year.