You are out of your depth, I think.NickFaulks wrote: The only FIDE requirement is that you pay 25 euros, so it's entirely in the gift of the ECF.
I repeat my question - why do you need to be level 3 for a tournament that is FIDE rated, but not for one that isn't? Is it, like Gold membership, just an effort to deter FIDE rated events?
edit : I may be out of my depth here. I'm just talking about Licenced Arbiters - why is it so difficult to become one? In other European federations it seems to be much easier.
You don't need to be Level 3 to be FIDE licensed. On request, and on payment of the relevant fee, the ECF will apply for a licence for anyone who is Level 1.
I would need a lot of convincing that it is more difficult to obtain a FIDE Arbiters' Licence in England than is typically the case in other European Federations. If it were, I would spend somewhat less time dealing with applications than I actually do.
You do need to have a Level 3 Arbiter present at a FIDE Title Tournament. As you will know, but others may not, that is a FIDE requirement.
The new ECF Arbiter Regulations were designed inter alia to bring the practice in England more into line with other European countries, in particular by specifying that the National Arbiter title (Level 2) must be obtained before progressing to the FA and IA titles.
Time will tell whether this was a wise move. I was strongly opposed to the adoption of the new Regulations and I haven't changed my mind. On the contrary, this thread has served to strengthen my opinion.