Effective for NAIA competition beginning August 2027
On November 4, 2026, NAIA membership approved legislation expanding the maximum number of seasons of competition from four to five while maintaining the existing terms-of-attendance limitations. The new legislation provides additional opportunities for student-athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics while continuing to meet established academic eligibility requirements.
The legislation becomes effective May 1, 2027, and applies to eligibility decisions for NAIA competition beginning in August 2027 or later.
As institutions prepare for implementation, it is important to understand which student-athletes may benefit from the additional season, how previous participation will be evaluated, and which eligibility requirements remain unchanged.
What Is Changing?
Under the newly approved legislation:
- Student-athletes may participate in a maximum of five seasons of competition in a given sport, increased from four.
- The existing limitation of 10 semesters, 12 trimesters, or 15 quarters of attendance remains unchanged.
- The current 20% participation threshold for charging a season of competition will be eliminated. Participation in one or more intercollegiate contests will result in a season of competition being charged.
- The medical hardship process for returning a season of competition will be eliminated, including medical hardship requests involving participation at non-NAIA institutions.
- The existing academic Progress Rule will be extended to include a fifth season of competition.
Importantly, the new legislation does not establish a five-year eligibility clock. Terms of attendance do not have to be consecutive, and student-athletes must continue to satisfy both the seasons-of-competition and terms-of-attendance limitations.
Which Student-Athletes May Benefit from the Fifth Season?
The legislation includes a transition provision identifying which student-athletes may take advantage of the additional season of competition.
To qualify under the transition provision, a student-athlete must have had both of the following remaining as of August 1, 2026:
- At least one season of competition remaining in the applicable sport (no more than three seasons previously used).
- At least one term of attendance remaining (no more than nine semesters or 14 quarters previously used).
Student-athletes who meet these conditions may be eligible to participate in a fifth season beginning in the 2027–28 academic year, provided they continue to meet all applicable NAIA eligibility requirements.
For example, a student-athlete who entered the 2026–27 academic year having completed three seasons of competition and subsequently participates in a fourth season during 2026–27 may be eligible to participate in a fifth season during 2027–28, assuming sufficient terms of attendance remain.
A student-athlete does not have to preserve an unused season throughout the 2026–27 academic year to qualify. The transition provision is based on the student-athlete’s eligibility status as of August 1, 2026.
Will the Fifth Season Be Available to Student-Athletes Who Previously Exhausted Their Eligibility?
No. The legislation does not retroactively restore eligibility to student-athletes who exhausted their four seasons of competition or maximum terms of attendance before August 1, 2026.
For example:
Example 1: Student completed four seasons in spring 2026.
A student-athlete who completed a fourth season of competition during the 2025–26 academic year would not qualify for a fifth season under the transition provision, even if the student has additional terms of attendance remaining.
Example 2: Student completes a fourth season during 2026–27.
A student-athlete who entered the 2026–27 academic year with three seasons of competition used and sufficient terms of attendance remaining may qualify for a fifth season in 2027–28, even if the fourth season is completed during 2026–27.
Example 3: Student exhausted 10 semesters before August 1, 2026.
A student-athlete who had exhausted the maximum 10 semesters of attendance before August 1, 2026, would not become eligible for additional participation under the new legislation, regardless of the number of seasons of competition used.
The transition provision establishes a clear distinction between student-athletes who entered the 2026–27 academic year with eligibility remaining and those who had already exhausted their eligibility.
Will the New Season-of-Competition Definition Apply Retroactively?
No. For returning student-athletes, previous participation will continue to be evaluated under the season-of-competition rules in effect at the time of participation.
For example, a student-athlete who participated in two football contests during the fall 2026 season and did not exceed the existing 20% participation threshold would not retroactively be charged a season of competition solely because the new legislation eliminates the 20% threshold.
Conversely, a student-athlete who was charged a season of competition under the previous rules will not have that season returned simply because the NAIA has adopted a new eligibility model.
The new definition of a season of competition applies to participation occurring after May 15, 2027, for returning student-athletes. The legislation separately addresses students seeking eligibility as first-time participants in a given NAIA sport.
Institutions should continue to evaluate prior participation according to the applicable legislation and the student’s eligibility history.
What Academic Requirements Apply to the Fifth Season?
The new legislation extends the existing Progress Rule to student-athletes seeking to participate in a fifth season of competition.
To participate in a fifth season, an undergraduate student-athlete must have accumulated:
- At least 96 semester or 144 quarter institutional credit hours.
- At least 64 semester or 96 quarter hours in general education and/or the student’s major field of study.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 on a 4.000 scale.
Student-athletes must also satisfy all other applicable academic eligibility requirements, including the existing 24/36-hour rule.
Student-athletes who have completed their undergraduate degree and are pursuing additional eligibility through graduate or post-baccalaureate enrollment must continue to meet the applicable post-baccalaureate eligibility requirements.
What About Student-Athletes Transferring from an NCAA Five-Year Clock Model?
The expiration of a student-athlete’s NCAA five-year eligibility clock does not automatically mean the student has exhausted eligibility within the NAIA.
For student-athletes transferring from an eligibility clock model, the NAIA will evaluate previous participation and enrollment to determine the number of seasons of competition and terms of attendance used under NAIA regulations.
However, the expiration of an NCAA eligibility clock does not automatically grant additional NAIA eligibility. The student must still meet all applicable NAIA eligibility requirements, including the transition provision and limitations on seasons of competition and terms of attendance.
When Will the Official NAIA Bylaws and Policy Handbook Be Updated?
The approved legislation will not be incorporated into the official NAIA Bylaws and Policy Handbook until August 1, 2027, when the NAIA publishes its updated bylaws and policies for the 2027–28 academic year.
Until that time, the currently published handbook will continue to reflect the existing four-season eligibility model and associated regulations.
Member institutions should reference the approved legislation and the NAIA’s Path Forward Task Force resources when preparing for implementation of the new rules.
The following resources provide additional information:
- Full Approved Legislation – Five Seasons of Competition
- NAIA Path Forward Task Force – Resources and FAQs
- NAIA Press Release – NAIA Approves Fifth Year of Eligibility
Institutions are encouraged to review the approved legislation carefully and evaluate student-athletes’ individual eligibility histories when determining whether they may qualify for an additional season of competition.
Questions regarding the interpretation or application of the new legislation may be directed to NAIA Legislative Services.
