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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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53202.00 – Sports officials and referees

Sports officials and referees observe and enforce rules and regulations governing sporting events, athletic games and sports competitions.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Athletics judge
  • Clerk of the course - racetrack
  • Figure skating judge
  • Goal judge
  • Harness racing starter
  • Racetrack timer
  • Referee
  • Sports linesman/woman
  • Sports official
  • Umpire

Core competencies

  • Monitoring to observe and evaluate players' actions, game conditions and rule adherence to identify potential infractions, maintain fair play and make real-time adjustments to the game
  • Systems Analysis and Evaluation to analyze gameplay patterns, accurately enforce rules and assess the impact of decisions in real time to ensure fairness and maintain game flow
  • Far Vision to accurately perceive and assess fast-moving actions, distances and positions from a considerable distance, allowing precise judgments on plays, fouls and rule violations
  • Reaction Time to respond quickly to unexpected player movements or sudden rule infractions, enabling timely rule enforcement and accurate calls that uphold the integrity of the sporting event and prevent injuries
  • Attention to Detail to meticulously observe and interpret game actions, consistently apply rules and accurately record infractions to ensure fair play
  • Knowledge in Recreation, Leisure and Fitness to understand the rules, gameplay and physical fitness requirements associated with the sports they officiate, ensuring fair and safe competition

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Officiate at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules and safety regulations are observed
  • Record lapsed time and keep scores during events or competitions
  • Judge the performance of competitors, award points, impose penalties for infractions and determine results
  • Compile scores and other athletic records
  • Establish and maintain rapport with coaches, players and organizing committees
  • Verify credentials of athletes or animals engaged in sports or related special events, and respond to written protests.

Additional information

No data has been provided for this section.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Coaches (53201)
  • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (54100)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

53 – Occupations in art, culture and sport

Sub-major group

532 – Occupations in sports

Minor group

5320 – Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations

Unit group

53202 – Sports officials and referees

Occupational profile

53202.00 – Sports officials and referees

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.