College-bound 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.
College-bound international student-athletes (first year attendees and transfers) initially enrolling in a Division III school during the 2023-24 academic year should register with an Amateurism-Only Certification account with the NCAA Eligibility Center. This account includes a $70 registration fee for all student-athletes. Please note:International prospective student-athletes who have registered with an Academic and Amateurism Certification account (previously titled “Certification account”) do not need to create a new account and should maintain their original account.
To receive an amateurism certification, prospective student-athletes should:
- Determine the right NCAA Eligibility Center account for your circumstances
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center;
- Completely and accurately fill out the “Sports Participation” section during registration;
- Request final amateurism certification 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).
- Using a recruiting agency, scholarship agent or a scouting service.
- Receiving funds or money to offset training expenses.
- Being represented or marketed by a professional sports agent.
Need more information? Click here for additional amateurism-related resources.
Click here for Division III amateurism requirements for international student-athletes
For information about the Eligibility Center’s amateurism response to COVID-19, click here.
For questions about name, image and likeness, click here.
