NRA Official Referee

Any member of the National Rifle Association 21 years of age or older who fulfills the requirements currently in effect may be certified as an Official Referee.

To be certified as an Official Referee, applicants must undertake such oral, written or practical examination as the Association may require.

The Board of Directors of the Association will be the final judge as to applicant's fitness for certification. Certification may be refused without stating cause.

Certificates will remain in force for such periods as may be indicated on the face thereof. Certificates may be surrendered by the holder or canceled by the Association at any time without stating cause.

Re-examination may be required at anytime to determine the Official Referee's current ability to meet the requirements.

Official Referees may be authorized to serve with certain limitations specified in their authorization.

Limitations may be: for a limited time only, for a special tournament or tournaments, within specified territorial boundaries, or for specified types of competition or classes of tournaments.

Insignia remains the property of the Association and must be returned at the termination of the Official Referee's certification.

It is the duty of Official Referees at all times to keep informed of NRA Bylaws, current competitive rules, and match administrative procedures.

They must be equipped to act as guide and counselor to every official at a tournament both on the range and in the Statistical Office, but will not give direction except through the Match Director.

Referees must be familiar with the various NRA qualification courses and with National Classification rules.

Referees must know the requirements for individual membership in the Association and the general requirements for club affiliation.

It is the Referee's duty to report to National Headquarters any suggestions, criticisms, incidents or trends which, in his/her opinion, should be considered by the Association in order to promote the best interests of shooting.

Referees must at all times and under all circumstances remember that their value as an Official Referee is in direct ratio to their reputation for integrity, impartiality, broad knowledge of the game, courtesy, courage and sobriety.

The use of alcoholic beverages while on duty cannot be condoned and their excessive use at any time will be sufficient cause for cancellation of the Official Referee's certificate.

Having accepted an assignment to serve, the Official Referee must be familiar with the program.

Verify, by mail or in person, with the Match Director of the tournament to insure that range and statistical facilities are adequate and in good order and that ample range and statistical personnel have been employed or definitely arranged for.

Observe the functioning of the Statistical Office when first opened to help establish proper registration and squadding procedure.

Make sure the Statistical Office has arranged to check all competitors' current NRA number and proper classification before issuing competitor's first squadding ticket.

Inspect target equipment and range personnel in company with the Match Director to insure that range will function properly.

Consult with Match Director and arrange to have Official Bulletins posted immediately covering any changes or corrections which have been authorized.

Personally observe scoring and bulletin methods used when targets for the first relay are being scored and call attention to any errors before an erroneous method becomes established.

Remain constantly alert for infractions of safety or competition rules by moving over the range behind the firing line from flank to flank; observing activities of target runners, Range Officers, scorers, statistical clerks, and spectators; watching competitors handling their guns, etc.

Report immediately to the Match Director any errors in administration or infractions of rules by competitors or personnel, requesting that the Match Director have them corrected at once.

If the matter is one requiring instant action, the Official Referee should direct whatever action is required and report the action and reason therefore to the Match Director as soon as that officer can be reached.

In tournaments where situations occur that are not specifically covered by an existing rule or rules, the Referee shall exercise good judgment in ruling for the best interest of the shooting sports and competitors.

Personally consult with Statistical Officer at the conclusion of tournament to make sure that all bulletins have been properly completed and awards issued in accordance with the tournament program.

Forward to NRA Headquarters whatever reports may be currently required of him, including National Record Reporting forms, copies of protests, decisions, appeals and all written statements bearing on the case.

Challenges and protests will be handled in the manner provided for in these rules.

Official Referees are assigned to tournaments by NRA Headquarters.

The Official Referee will not give directions to the tournament operating personnel except through the Match Director.

In all emergency cases involving the safety of personnel or property, the Official Referee will act immediately and forcefully, taking full responsibility and reporting the action thereafter to the Match Director and to the National Rifle Association when making the tournament report.

In the event of a disagreement between match officials, the Official Referee shall prevail at the match with recourse only to the Protest Committee.

The Official Referee is a representative of the National Rifle Association present at a tournament to interpret the rules and regulations for the benefit of both the tournament officials and the competitors.

It is the Referee's duty to see that all such rules and regulations are properly and efficiently enforced.

Referees are not responsible for the actual administration and conduct of the tournament except to enforce the rules and regulations.

It is the Referee's duty to make such suggestions and recommendations as are necessary to enable the tournament staff to operate in the most satisfactory manner.