TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATION COMBATIVE SPORTS OFFICIATING AT A GLANCE
Statutes: Chapter 2052, Occupations Code Rules: Title 16 T.A.C. Chapter 61 Inspections? Yes Practice Act? Yes Facilities? No Title Act? No Equipment? Yes Individuals? Yes Licenses: 1,809 (FY 20)
Overview: The TDLR Texas Combative Sports Program regulates professional Boxing, Kick Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai and amateur MMA, Muay Thai and Kick Boxing events in Texas. In addition to licensing contestants and promoters, TDLR regulates referees in those sports. Professional combative sports referees and judges who officiate a regulated professional event must be licensed. Referees who officiate at regulated amateur events also must be licensed or registered by the TDLR executive director. Boxing Scoring Techniques Using the 10-point must system, judges consider the elements of offense, defense, clean hitting, ring generalship, and sportsmanship in their scoring. The winner of any round is marked ten and the loser is marked nine or less. When a round is even, each contestant shall receive ten points. A clean knock-down shall be scored heavily. Judges shall deduct points for fouls when directed to do so by the referee. A draw shall be called if each official votes differently or any two vote a draw.
Mixed Martial Arts Scoring Techniques. Judges must evaluate mixed martial arts techniques, such as effective striking, effective grappling, fighting area control, and effective aggressiveness/defense. Using the 10-point must scoring system, judges use a 10-point must scoring system to determine a winner of a contest that ends after the scheduled number of rounds have been completed. Ten points must be awarded to the winner of each round and 9 points or less must be awarded to the loser, except for a rare even round, which is scored a 10-10. Licensing — Referees An applicant must: ● be at least 21 years of age; ● have no criminal convictions that directly relate to the duties and responsibilities of a referee; ● have completed an approved training program that consists of classroom training and an internship OR meet at least one of the following: • have at least three years’ active experience as a referee in the combative sport they’re seeking an endorsement in
For more information, please contact the TDLR Office of Strategic Communication: media.inquiries@tdlr.texas.gov.