NCAA Amateurism

Prospective student-athletes enrolling for the first time at a Division I or II school must receive a final amateurism certification before being eligible to compete. This includes transfers from junior colleges, NAIA, international or Division III schools.

To receive an amateurism certification, prospective student-athletes should:

• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center;
• Completely and accurately fill out the “Sports Participation” section during registration;
• Request final amateurism certification (PDF) promptly; and
• Monitor tasks assigned to their account.

Below are some situations that may impact a prospective student-athlete’s amateur status. Click on each topic to learn more about the NCAA Eligibility Center’s requirement in each of these examples.

• Taking a break between high school/secondary school and full-time collegiate enrollment and continuing to participate in your sport(s) (PDF).
• Using a recruiting agency, scholarship agent or a scouting service (PDF).
• Receiving payment from a sports team to participate (PDF).
• Receiving funds or money to offset training expenses (PDF).
• Accepting prize money based on performance/finish at a competition (PDF).
• Being represented or marketed by a professional sports agent (PDF).

Need more information? http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/ECMIP/Amateurism_Certification/Add_Resources.pdf" aria-label="Click here (PDF)">Click here (PDF) for additional amateurism-related resources.

For information about the Eligibility Center’s amateurism response to COVID-19, http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/COVID_19_Delayed_Enrollment_Public.pdf" aria-label="click here (PDF)">click here (PDF).
For questions about name, image and likeness, http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/COVID_19_Delayed_Enrollment_Public.pdf" aria-label="click here (PDF)">click here (PDF).