NCAA Amateurism Certification Process
The NCAA requires all prospective student athletes planning to compete at the Division I, II, or III levels to complete an amateurism certification through the NCAA Eligibility Center. This process ensures that athletes meet the NCAA’s amateurism standards and have not violated any rules regarding professional participation, endorsements, or compensation. Notably, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements do not affect amateur status—student athletes can earn money from NIL deals without jeopardizing their eligibility.
To complete the amateurism certification process, student athletes must follow these steps:
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Athletes must create an account at eligibilitycenter.org and provide personal, academic, and sports participation details. If a student initially creates a free Profile Page account, they must upgrade to a certification account if they plan to compete at the NCAA Division I or II level.
Complete the Amateurism Questionnaire. The NCAA requires athletes to answer a series of questions regarding their sports history, including club team participation, prize money, and professional interactions. Any involvement in professional leagues, endorsement deals, or payments for athletic performance could impact eligibility. However, NIL agreements are allowed and do not count against amateur status.
Request Final Amateurism Certification. Student athletes must request certification within the designated timeline:
For fall enrollment at an NCAA Division I or II school, request certification on or after April 1 before the semester starts.
For winter/spring enrollment at an NCAA Division I or II school, request certification on or after October 1 before the semester starts.
For international students enrolling at an NCAA Division III school, request certification on or after April 1 (fall) or October 1 (winter/spring).
Verify Enrollment Details and Submit the Request. Athletes should log in to their Eligibility Center account, review their progress on the Dashboard, and ensure that all sports participation details are accurate and up to date. They must also confirm that their expected college enrollment date is correctly entered. Once all required information is completed, they can select the green “Submit Request Now” button on the Dashboard and choose the specific sport(s) for which certification is being requested.
Await Institutional Review and Final Decision. The NCAA Eligibility Center may delay processing final certification until a college coach officially adds the student to their school’s Institutional Request List (IRL). To facilitate this process, student athletes should provide their NCAA ID number to recruiting schools. If all requirements are met, the student athlete will receive final amateurism certification, allowing them to compete at the collegiate level.
Special Rules for NCAA Division III:
Unlike Division I and II, student athletes enrolling at NCAA Division III schools do not need to complete an amateurism certification through the NCAA Eligibility Center unless they are international student athletes. Division III institutions self-manage eligibility decisions, meaning each school determines a student athlete’s amateur status based on NCAA rules. However, if an international student is enrolling at a Division III school, they must request amateurism certification on or after April 1 (fall enrollment) or October 1 (winter/spring enrollment).
Important Notes:
NIL deals are allowed. Earning income through sponsorships, endorsements, and brand partnerships does not impact a student athlete’s NCAA eligibility.
You do not need to be recruited to request certification. Student athletes can submit their amateurism certification request at any time, but certification may not be processed until a school expresses interest.
Undisclosed professional activities can lead to ineligibility. Be transparent about past sports participation to avoid delays.
Work with coaches and school counselors. Ensure all documentation is correctly submitted for a smooth certification process.
While navigating the NCAA amateurism certification process can be complex, our team is here to guide student athletes and their families every step of the way. We provided personalized support in NCAA Eligibility Center registration, completion of the amateurism questionnaire, and verification assistance. We also offer professional advice on NIL opportunities, ensuring student athletes understand how to maximize their earning potential while maintaining NCAA compliance. Whether you need assistance with documentation, timeline management, or direct support in resolving eligibility issues, POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting ensures a smooth path to college athletics.