What can you coach with UEFA C, B, A and Pro?
With UEFA C you can coach from under-7 to under-16 (some federations allow regional youth). With UEFA B, up to autonomous-level youth. With UEFA A, up to Spain's third and fourth tier plus national youth divisions. With UEFA Pro, any professional category including La Liga and Segunda División. The exact limit varies by regional federation and competition.
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WizardCategory table by licence in Spain
This table reflects the general framework applied by most regional federations. But note: each federation may have nuances. RFFM (Madrid), FCF (Catalonia) and FFCV (Valencia) may interpret the limits slightly differently. Always check the coaching circular from your federation.
The "as head coach" column shows the ceiling for leading a team from the bench as first coach. As an assistant, some competitions allow a lower licence.
| Licence | Categories as head coach | Min. hours | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA C | Under-7 to Under-16 (some fed. allow regional youth) | 60 h | Secondary education + age 16 |
| UEFA B | Up to autonomous youth + Liga Nacional Juvenil + women's Tercera RFEF (excl. men's División de Honor Juvenil) | 120 h | UEFA C + 6 months experience |
| UEFA A | Tercera RFEF, Segunda RFEF, national youth, women's national | 180 h | UEFA B + 1 year experience |
| UEFA Pro | All: La Liga, Segunda División, Primera RFEF and above | 360 h | UEFA A + head coach or professional assistant experience |
UEFA C: grassroots, from under-7 to under-16
UEFA C is the entry point to the UEFA pathway. It is aimed at grassroots coaches: schools, 7-a-side and 8-a-side categories, and base-level 11-a-side teams.
- Usual ceiling: Under-7 (Prebenjamín), Under-9 (Benjamín), Under-11 (Alevín), Under-13 (Infantil) and Under-16 (Cadete) in territorial competitions.
- Important nuance: Some federations (like FFCV in Valencia) allow coaching regional youth with UEFA C. Others cap it at Cadete. The difference depends on regional regulations, not UEFA itself.
- In practice: This is the licence you need to start coaching grassroots football officially at a federation club.
If you are interested in getting UEFA C, check the specific requirements, minimum age and cost before enrolling. UEFA C is federation-only; the Sports Technician academic equivalences start at UEFA B (TD Level 1).
UEFA B: youth and territorial senior amateur
UEFA B extends the scope to full youth football and territorial-level senior amateur.
- Usual ceiling: All base categories plus autonomous youth, Liga Nacional Juvenil, territorial senior amateur (Regional Preferente / Primera Regional) and women's Tercera RFEF as head coach. As assistant you can join a UEFA A head coach in men's División de Honor Juvenil and men's Tercera RFEF.
- Requirements: Valid UEFA C licence and at least 6 months of coaching experience before starting the course.
- In practice: The natural step up for coaches who have spent 1-2 seasons at Cadete or youth level and want to move up or manage senior amateur teams.
For the exact category-by-category breakdown by federation, see the dedicated page on what you can coach with UEFA B.
UEFA A: semi-professional and top amateur
UEFA A opens the door to semi-professional football and national youth and women's categories.
- Usual ceiling: Tercera RFEF, Segunda RFEF, Primera RFEF (as assistant), División de Honor Juvenil, and RFEF women's first and second division.
- Requirements: Valid UEFA B licence and at least 1 year of later experience as a football 11 coach.
- In practice: The minimum mandatory licence to manage as head coach in Tercera RFEF and national youth divisions. Also the threshold for many high-performance private academies.
The category breakdown and practical differences with UEFA Pro are in what you can coach with UEFA A and UEFA Pro.
UEFA Pro: professional football
UEFA Pro is the highest level in the UEFA pathway and the mandatory licence to manage in Spain's professional categories.
- Ceiling: No limit. La Liga, Segunda División, Primera RFEF, Segunda RFEF and national teams.
- Requirements: Valid UEFA A licence and relevant later experience as a head coach in elite youth or senior amateur football, or as an assistant in professional football.
- In practice: The course is delivered exclusively by the RFEF through its National Coaching School. Places are limited and the cost runs to several thousand euros — check the current call.
Regulatory note (2025-26): the CSD ratified in April 2025 (Article 167 bis of the RFEF Regulations) that UEFA A can act as head coach in Primera Federación.
Head coach vs assistant: does the licence change?
Yes. The table above shows the ceiling for managing as head coach. As a second coach or assistant, some competitions allow a lower licence.
For example, a coach with UEFA A can work as an assistant at a Primera RFEF club whose head coach holds UEFA Pro. Similarly, in grassroots categories, a helper with a trainee licence can sit on the bench alongside a head coach with UEFA C.
The specific rules depend on each competition. Before accepting an assistant role, confirm with the organising federation what minimum licence is required for the second coach position in that specific category.
How to check if you can coach a specific team
Follow these steps before committing to a club:
- Identify the exact competition: Autonomous youth is not the same as Liga Nacional Juvenil. The league name determines the minimum licence.
- Check the coaching circular: Each federation publishes a circular at the start of the season listing the required qualifications by category. Find it on your regional federation's website.
- Verify your licence is current: UEFA licences are issued for 3 years. If yours has expired, you need to renew it before you can register as a coach.
- Confirm your role: Are you going as head coach or assistant? The requirement may differ.
- Ask the club: Clubs usually know the requirements of the competition they enter. If they are unsure, contact the federation directly.
Frequently asked questions
What age groups can I coach with UEFA C?
With UEFA C, the usual ceiling is Cadete (under-16) in territorial competitions. Some federations like FFCV (Valencia) allow coaching regional youth, while others like RFFM (Madrid) cap it at Cadete. Below that, it covers under-7, under-9, under-11 and under-13 without nuances. Always check your federation's current coaching circular before accepting a team.
What can I coach with UEFA B?
With UEFA B you can manage from under-7 up to autonomous youth, Liga Nacional Juvenil, senior amateur at autonomous level (Preferente or Regional) and women's Tercera RFEF as head coach. It is the minimum licence for competitive youth teams and senior amateur sides in autonomous leagues. For men's División de Honor Juvenil and Tercera RFEF you can join as assistant; to lead as head coach you need UEFA A.
Can I coach youth teams with UEFA C?
It depends on the federation. Some territorial ones like FFCV allow coaching regional youth with UEFA C. Others require at least UEFA B for any youth category. Check your federation's coaching circular at the start of each season to confirm the exact current requirement for your region.
What licence do I need to coach in Tercera RFEF?
To manage as head coach in Tercera RFEF you need at least UEFA A. As a second coach or assistant, some competitions accept UEFA B. Check the specific competition regulations and confirm with your regional federation before accepting the position to avoid any issues.
Do UEFA licences expire?
Yes. UEFA states that licences are issued for a three-year period before renewal is needed. If your licence expires, you cannot register as a coach until you renew it. The renewal process usually includes mandatory continuing education. Check your licence status with your federation.
Can a coach manage multiple teams at the same club?
It depends on your regional federation rules. Generally, a coach can only hold an active licence for one team per competition. Some smaller clubs work around this by registering the coach for one team and a second licence-holder for the other. Check your federation's coaching circular.