Methods and apparatuses for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) transmission are described. At a user equipment (UE), a method and apparatus may include receiving, from a network entity, a transmission configuration indication including a DMRS pattern for configuring DMRS transmission on a communication channel. The method and apparatus further includes transmitting or receiving a DMRS to or from the network entity on the channel in accordance with the DMRS pattern. At a network entity, a method and apparatus may include transmitting, to a UE, a transmission configuration indication including a DMRS pattern for configuring DMRS transmission on a communication channel. The method and apparatus further includes transmitting or receiving a DMRS to or from the UE on the channel in accordance with the DMRS pattern.