Bylaw Application: Submission of ECP Certificate
It is the responsibility of the faculty athletics representative (FAR) at each NAIA member institution to verify the eligibility of every student-athlete before they participate in scrimmages or contests against outside competition. This applies to all NAIA-recognized sports.
What Is Included in the ECP Certificate?
- ✅ NAIA Official Eligibility Certificate
- ✅ Certificate of Clearance (FERPA compliance record; retained on campus)
- ✅ Transfer Player Eligibility Statement (if applicable)
- ✅ Outside Competitive Experience Form (if applicable)
Timing of Certification
For sports that span multiple terms (e.g., basketball, wrestling, swimming & diving), student-athletes must be certified as eligible for each term in which competition occurs.
For all other sports:
- Student-athletes enrolled for the next term may compete between terms (starting the day after the prior term ends) as long as they meet all eligibility requirements for the upcoming term.
30-Day Recertification Window
A student eligible on the last day of a term (per the academic calendar) may continue to compete for up to 30 calendar days after that term ends, to allow time for recertification.
Important Exceptions:
- Students who have completed 10 semesters of attendance (or equivalent) are not eligible for this 30-day window.
- If a student is found to be ineligible by the institution or conference, eligibility ends immediately, regardless of the 30-day window.
Violations & Administrative Errors
Late filing of ECP certificates can result in:
- ❌ Forfeiture of contests
- ❌ Coach suspension
- ❌ Further sanctions from the NAIA
What If the FAR or Registrar Is Unavailable?
A substitute FAR or Registrar may sign, but only under specific conditions:
- The substitute must be a supervisor of the FAR or someone higher in authority (e.g., Dean of Students, President).
- The individual must understand the importance and accountability of the role.
⚠️ WARNING:
The “athletics side” (e.g., an Athletics Director) may not sign in place of the “academics side” (e.g., FAR or Registrar). This is a serious violation and may lead to Conduct & Ethics Committee review.
Definition: “Close of Term”
Under NAIA bylaws, the End of Term is defined as:
“The date listed in the institutional catalog as the last day of a term. If no such date is given, it is the last day of the final exam period.”
The 30-day recertification period begins the day after this official end date.
How Is Ineligibility “Discovered”?
A student’s eligibility status is confirmed through the ECP process, which includes:
- Reviewing institutional credits and grades from the previous term
- Official submission and evaluation of all ECP forms
Until this certification is complete, a student may compete under the 30-day window if eligible at the end of the previous term.
Students Establishing Eligibility Mid-Year
Student-athletes who were:
- Ineligible in the prior term, or
- New transfer students not previously identified
…may become eligible immediately after the fall term ends.
They do not need to wait for:
- The 30-day recertification window
- The start of the new term
Requirements:
- Must be certified under the new term’s certificate (e.g., Spring 2026)
- Only one student may be certified under the new term’s certificate while the team competes under the previous term’s certification
Mid-Year Transfer Scenarios
🔁 1. Transfer with No Season Charged (Fall)
Scenario: A student played fewer than 7 games (under 20%) in women’s basketball during the fall term and transfers to a new NAIA institution for spring.
Bylaw Context:
Under Article V, Section B, Item 20, the student:
- Is not charged a season of competition
- May compete immediately at the new institution if listed on the spring certificate
✅ No new Eligibility Center decision is required if already approved.
🔁 2. Transfer with One Season Charged (Fall)
Scenario: A student played 7 or more games in the fall and transfers in spring.
Result: The student is charged with two seasons of competition in the same academic year.
Relevant Bylaw:
Under Article V, Section G, Item 8, participating at two different institutions in a single year counts as two separate seasons.
Example:
A fall soccer player who used a season must be recertified for spring. However, they may be ineligible due to not meeting the Progress Rule (i.e., insufficient academic credit accumulation).
Related Articles & Resources
For further guidance and real-world examples related to eligibility certification, explore the following official NAIA resources:
