Link to NAIA Bylaws
The NAIA’s amateurism rules protect the integrity of collegiate athletics by ensuring competition remains based on skill and education, not professional status or financial gain. This hub provides coaches and administrators with a quick guide to how amateur standing is defined, what activities are permissible, and what happens when concerns arise.
1. Defining Professional vs. Amateur Status
A student is considered a professional in a sport if they sign a contract, receive payment beyond actual expenses, or compete for a team identified as professional. Professional status applies only to that sport, with a few exceptions (e.g., track & field disciplines, indoor/arena football, indoor soccer, and beach volleyball).
2. Activities That Do Not Jeopardize Amateurism
Many athletic, employment, and promotional opportunities are allowed under NAIA rules. Student-athletes may:
- Compete against professional teams or athletes in sanctioned events.
- Join teams with paid teammates as long as the team is not professional and only actual expenses are reimbursed.
- Work as coaches, officials, or camp staff for reasonable pay that reflects fair market value.
- Provide private lessons or participate in media or NIL opportunities, provided NIL compensation is disclosed to the athletics director when connected to the student’s athletic role.
3. Modernized Award Rules
Beginning August 1, 2025, the NAIA will remove dollar limits on athletic performance awards. Student-athletes may now accept prize money or in-kind awards aligned with the standards of their sport’s national governing body. This modernization aligns the NAIA’s approach with broader amateur sport practices while preserving the principle of fair play.
4. Acts That Result in Loss of Amateur Standing
Amateur status is lost if a student:
- Receiving (directly or indirectly) expense reimbursement beyond actual expenses of travel, meals and lodging only. Expenses must be itemized and properly documented.
- Signing a contract with any professional team.
- Participating in any athletics contest as a professional or as a member of a team where the student in question receives remuneration exceeding the actual expenses of travel, meals and lodging only.
- Entering into an agreement of any kind to compete in professional athletics with a professional sports organization
5. Institutional Responsibilities and Reinstatement
When the NAIA Eligibility Center identifies potential concerns, the member institution must conduct due diligence: interview the student, review documentation, and determine if any violations occurred. If an amateur violation is confirmed, the institution must initiate the reinstatement process, which includes evidence of compliance and fulfillment of residency requirements.
Explore More:
Each section above links to detailed articles covering amateur definitions, permissible activities, NIL use, award rules, and the reinstatement process.
