Almost, it was actually AOPA you rang and you needed the endorsement of a club/school.
This may have been true pre-JAR but, during the JAR years (almost said 'Good Old' must be an EASA affliction) you applied to the CAA, they then wrote back with an acceptance/rejection of your application dependant on their perceived need for Examiners in your geographical area. There was no charge unless you were accepted.
No need for a school/club endorsement for FE (was needed for GE) application but it did sometimes help overcome rejections based on geography.