NCAA Certification of Amateur Status

Participating in NCAA Division I or II athletics requires that you are certified as an amateur athlete. The confirmation of amateur status for all incoming freshmen and college transfer athletes will be made by the NCAA Eligibility Center and will determine initial participation in NCAA athletics. As for Division III athletics, the determination of amateur status is completed by each institution and not the Eligibility Center.

Upon registering with the Eligibility Center, you will be asked questions regarding your athletic participation. This information lets the Eligibility Center determine your amateur status and it will either certify your participation or assess a penalty before certification. If a penalty is assessed you will have an opportunity to appeal the decision.

The following pre-collegiate enrollment activities will be reviewed for amatuerism certification:

• Contracts with professional teams
• Salary for participating in athletics
• Prize money
• Play with professionals
• Tryouts, practice or competition with a professional team
• Benefits from an agent or prospective agent
• Agreement to be represented by an agent
• Delayed initial full-time collegiate enrollment to participate in organized sports competition

For any additional information about the NCAA's rules regarding amateurism, visit the Eligibility Center's website.