NC Education Code · Regulation
Title 16 — root / Chapter 06 — 16 NCAC 06E .0208
Plain English summary
This rule establishes amateur eligibility requirements for students participating in interscholastic athletics in North Carolina. Students become ineligible upon graduation (with limited exceptions for spring sports playoffs), signing professional contracts, receiving remuneration for athletic participation beyond specified limits, participating in unsanctioned all-star events, or entering NIL agreements without complying with Rule .0211. Certain payments such as essential contest expenses, nominal fees for youth sports instruction, and Operation Gold Grants do not trigger ineligibility.
Key requirements
- A student shall not participate in interscholastic athletics after graduation, except that the student may continue to participate in playoff and state championship contests in spring sports after graduation.
- A student shall not participate in interscholastic athletics after signing a professional athletic contract, except that the student may continue to participate in any sport for which the student has not signed a professional contract.
- A student shall not participate in interscholastic athletics after receiving remuneration as a participant in an athletic contest, except that the student may accept a gift, merchandise, or other thing of value, provided that: the value does not exceed two hundred-fifty dollars ($250.00) per student per season; the item is totally consumable and nontransferable, or labeled in a permanent manner; and the item is approved by the principal of the student's school and the local superintendent.
- A student shall not participate in interscholastic athletics after participating on an all-star team or in all-star game or bowl game that is not sanctioned by the administering organization of which the student's school is a member, provided that the student shall be ineligible only for that sport.
- A student shall not participate in interscholastic athletics after entering into an NIL agreement, unless the student has complied with the requirements of Rule .0211 of this Section.
- A student shall not be deemed ineligible for payment by an administering organization, PSU, or athletic booster club affiliated with the student's school or PSU for essential expenses arising from a specific interscholastic athletic contest in which the student participates, including reasonable cost of meals, lodging, and transportation.
- A student shall not be deemed ineligible for receipt of a nominal, standard fee or salary for instructing, supervising, or officiating an organized youth sports program, recreational activities, playground, or camp, whether or not affiliated with a PSU.
- A student shall not be deemed ineligible for receipt of an Operation Gold Grant from the United States Olympic Committee.
Affected parties
- student athletes
- public school units (PSUs)
- school principals
- local superintendents
- athletic booster clubs
- interscholastic athletics administering organizations