Referee Duties & Responsibilities

The role and function of a Referee includes the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Officiate sporting events, games, and competitions
  • Settle claims of infractions or complaints by participants
  • Keep track of event times, starting or stopping play when necessary
  • Signal participants and other officials when infractions occur or to regulate play or competition
  • Enforce the rules of the game and assess penalties when necessary
  • Inspect sports equipment and examine all participants to ensure safety
  • Judge performances in sporting competitions to determine a winner

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Referee duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Referee roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.