Skip navigation

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials - 27-2023.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Horse Show Judge
  • Major League Baseball Umpire
  • Judge
  • Commissioner of Officials
  • Referee
  • Softball Umpire
  • Supervisor of Officials
  • Basketball Referee
  • Director of Officiating
  • Dressage Judge

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Compile scores and other athletic records.
  • Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers in order to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
  • Direct participants to assigned areas such as starting blocks or penalty areas.
  • Inspect sporting equipment and/or examine participants in order to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
  • Judge performances in sporting competitions in order to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
  • Keep track of event times, including race times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary.
  • Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
  • Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
  • Research and study players and teams in order to anticipate issues that might arise in future engagements.
  • Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
  • Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
  • Start races and competitions.
  • Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
  • Verify credentials of participants in sporting events, and make other qualifying determinations such as starting order or handicap number.
  • Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.

Detailed Work Activities

  • adhere to safety procedures
  • communicate visually or verbally
  • confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
  • coordinate recreational activities
  • detect infractions of rules
  • evaluate qualifications or eligibility of applicant for employment
  • explain rules, policies or regulations
  • follow sport rules or techniques
  • inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
  • inspect or test materials to verify safety standards or ensure meeting of specifications
  • instruct participants in recreational activities
  • maintain records, reports, or files
  • make decisions
  • observe actions of participants at athletic events
  • perform varied measurements
  • prepare reports
  • prepare safety reports
  • recognize public safety hazards
  • relay information to proper officials
  • select applicants meeting qualifications
  • signal directions or warnings to coworkers
  • teach sports rules or techniques
  • use oral or written communication techniques

Military Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Clerk-of-Scales
  • Clocker
  • Handicapper, Harness Racing
  • Hoof and Shoe Inspector
  • Horse-Race Starter
  • Horse-Race Timer
  • Identifier, Horse
  • Kennel Manager, Dog Track
  • Marshal
  • Paddock Judge
  • Patrol Judge
  • Pit Steward
  • Racing Secretary and Handicapper
  • Receiving-Barn Custodian
  • Scoreboard Operator
  • Scorer
  • Starter
  • Steward, Racetrack
  • Umpire