[2] Referees must first pass refereeing exams set by their national governing body before officiating at progressively more senior levels of the sport, gaining experience in lower-level competitions and then moving onto higher-level competitions where they will progress to the top if good enough.
The number of levels as well as badge colours, shapes and sizes differ depending on the governing body.
At present, they are awarded to the ten highest ranked referees at the Touch Football World Cup, which is held every four years.
A referee's area of control extends to a general radius of 10 metres from the edge of the field.
The referee uses signals to communicate his/her decisions with the players, team officials and spectators.