Link to NAIA Bylaws
Knowing when a student is charged a season of competition (SOC) is critical for roster management, eligibility tracking, and avoiding costly errors. This overview highlights what counts as participation, when the 20% rule applies, and how outside competition factors in.
The 20% Rule: When Participation Becomes a Season
Under Article V, Section B, Item 20, a student is charged a season of competition when they participate in more than 20% of the maximum allowable contests or dates for their sport (excluding scrimmages).
- Postseason participation always results in a charged season.
- The 20% threshold is based on the maximum allowable games, not how many your team actually plays.
- Participation means any appearance in an intercollegiate contest—one play, one minute, or one event counts.
Example:
A basketball student who competes in 7 games has reached 20% and will be charged a season, even if the team only scheduled 15 games.
📘 Read more: Basics of NAIA Seasons of Competition
📘 See also: Article V, Section B, Item 19–20: Season of Competition Rule
Intercollegiate Participation and Multiple Institutions
- A student charged with a season of competition at two institutions in the same academic year (meeting the 20% rule and/or postseason participation at both) will be charged two seasons.
- The NAIA honors previous seasons charged by other collegiate associations unless that season was based solely on practice participation.
- Scrimmages do not count toward the 20% total.
📘 Learn more: 20% Season of Competition Rule
Outside Competitive Experience (OCE): Professional-Level Standard
As of May 1, 2022, the NAIA now charges a season of competition only for professional-level participation, replacing the former “elite-level” standard.
- A season is charged if a student competes in any professional-level event on or after the 13th month following high school graduation.
- Professional-level includes:
- Teams or leagues that self-declare as professional.
- Semi-professional teams/leagues where participants are paid beyond actual expenses.
- Individual events or heats declared professional or semi-professional.
- Amateur divisions or community-level competition typically do not result in a charge.
📘 Read more: Understanding the Outside Competitive Experience Rule
📘 Related: OCE vs. Violating Amateurism: Knowing the Difference
Tracking and Accountability
Each institution is responsible for tracking:
- The number of contests each student competes in.
- Whether those contests meet the 20% threshold.
- Whether outside competition requires a review for professional-level participation.
Coaches, FARs, and compliance administrators should coordinate roster tracking and SOC reporting to ensure accurate certification.
Medical Hardships No Longer Apply
Beginning August 1, 2021, the medical hardship process was eliminated for NAIA seasons of competition.
- Students who compete in 20% or fewer contests will not be charged a season—regardless of injury.
- No medical documentation is required.
- Hardship requests remain valid only for seasons prior to August 1, 2021 or for athletes who were not yet in the NAIA at the time of injury.
📘 Read more: Basics of NAIA Seasons of Competition
Special Notes for Track & Field and Wrestling
Participation in outside meets while identified at an NAIA institution can count toward the 20% threshold if:
- The student is certified in that academic year, and
- The event occurred during identification at that NAIA school.
If the student wasn’t identified or certified at the time, those events are reviewed under Outside Competitive Experience criteria instead.
✅ Key Takeaways for Coaches
- The 20% Rule defines when participation results in a season charge.
- Postseason play always triggers a season.
- Professional-level outside competition after the 13th month post-graduation will charge a season.
- Medical hardships are no longer used for NAIA participation.
- Keep clear roster and competition tracking to ensure accuracy in certification and eligibility.
