Legislative Processes

The following processes are available to NAIA member institutions through the NAIA Legislative Services Department. Unless otherwise noted, information must be submitted by the member institution's athletics director or faculty athletics representatives. The NAIA does not accept information submitted by coaches, student-athletes or other third parties. Please contact the NAIA Legislative Services Department at 816.595.8180 or legislative@naia.org if you have any questions. (Updated 08-2023)

Exception to a Standing Rule (Form)

Process (full memo):
In exceptional cases, where extenuating circumstances exist, an institution may request on a student's behalf an exceptional ruling to a standard rule. Send the form as a cover sheet with the accompanying documentation and transcript to the conference eligibility chair. All six areas of this form must be completed before the request can be considered. The conference eligibility committee will review the information, make a recommendation, then forward all documentation to the national office for a final decision by the National Eligibility Committee.

Click here for further information on requesting an exception to a standing rule based on a learning disability. 

Required Items:

• NAIA Exception to Standard Rule Form
• All transcripts for any students involved (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
• If based on medical or psychological circumstances, the National Eligibility Committee will require documentation or a letter from the medical doctor outlining the circumstances. 

Additional items:

• Personal narratives by individuals involved (e.g., student-athlete, coach, athletics director, parents, academic advisor, etc.)
• Documentation that verifies central details (e.g., medical records of an injury or illness, receipts, game statistics/footage, etc.)

Reporting a Violation (Self-report form)

Process:
Should any chief executive officer, faculty athletics representative, athletics director and/or coach become aware of an apparent institutional violation involving an athlete or institutional representative, it is the responsibility of the FAR or AD to report the violation to the conference/A.I.I eligibility chair, with copies sent to the National Office. The conference/A.I.I. eligibility committee will review the information, make a recommendation, then forward all documentation to the national office for a final decision by the appropriate committee.

Required Items:

• NAIA Self-Report Violation Form (for self-reported violations only)
• Cover letter from the FAR and AD providing an overview of the violation.
• All transcripts for any students involved (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).

Additional Items:

• Personal narratives by individuals involved (e.g., student-athlete, coach, athletics director, parents, academic advisor, etc.)
• Documentation that verifies central details (e.g., receipts, email correspondence, academic documents, etc.)

Request Amateur Reinstatement (Form)

Process:
The chief executive officer, faculty athletics representative or the athletics director may submit to the National Coordinating Committee an application for reinstatement of a student’s amateur status. The application should be made to the NAIA Legislative Services Department after the student completes the two-semester/three quarter residency requirement (see NAIA Bylaws Article VIII, Section E, Item 3), but before the student participates in intercollegiate competition.

Required Items:

• Information pertaining to the applicable student’s loss of amateur status (e.g. signed contracts, documents indicating participation, information on prize winnings, etc.)
• Evidence the student is no longer in violation of NAIA amateurism regulations.
• Transcript from NAIA institution showing two semesters/three-quarters of residency.

Appeal of a Committee’s Previous Ruling (NCC appeal form)

Process (full memo):
The CEO, FAR or AD may request an appeal of the findings of another committee/council. The request for an appeal must be made in writing to the NAIA President/CEO within 30 days of the notification to the school of the original decision. An appeal may be submitted electronically or in hard copy. The NAIA Legislative Services Department should be copied on any electronic submission. The information will be submitted to the National Coordinating Committee for a ruling. In accordance with NAIA bylaws, all decisions by the NCC are final.

Required Items:

• Cover letter clearly stating the reasons for the requested appeal
• Documentation and information supporting the request.

Appeal a Conduct in Competition Suspension (FAQ sheet)

Process:
Suspension appeals may be submitted electronically to the conference commissioner within 72 hours of the completion of the contest. The conference will submit the information and a recommendation to the national office within 72 hours of receiving the appeal from the institution. The National Conduct and Ethics Committee is responsible for all appeals related to suspensions due to ejections of a coach and/or student-athlete.

Once an appeal has been submitted to the conference, the student-athlete/coach may continue to participate through the appeal process. If the appeal is not approved, then the student-athlete/coach must sit out of the next scheduled contest(s).

Note: Suspensions required by a sport rule may not be appealed to the NAIA. Institutions should follow the applicable protest/appeal process set forth in the sport rulebook.

Required Items:

• Cover letter clearly stating the reasons for the requested appeal
• Copy of the submitted ejection report

Additional Items:

• Video or picture evidence supporting the appeal.
• Letter or other written correspondence from the official(s) or assignor of officials.

Notification of International Competition (Submit online)

Process:
International amateur competition for individuals representing an institution or institution teams is permitted if (a) the individual students representing their institutions are eligible according to NAIA rules and standards and the NAIA President/Chief Executive Officer is notified prior to such participation.

Such international play shall not affect seasons of participation. Prospective students, including incoming freshmen and transfers, are not permitted to take part in international competition or practices prior to the later or August 1st or the start of the team’s 24-week season.

This form is only required for students representing an NAIA institution or institutional team. This form is not required for students competing or for a "club" team.

Required Items:

• The online form must be submitted at least five business days before the international amateur competition
• The official eligibility certificate must be properly completed and submitted to the conference/A.I.I. eligibility chair prior to the competition.

Approval for Competition against Professionals (Submit online)

Process:
A student will not lose amateur standing for representing an NAIA institution against a professional team or player if the student or student’s team is competing under the approval of NAIA or the governing body of the sport concerned. NAIA institutions can obtain NAIA approval for participation against a professional team by submitting the online request form. The NAIA Legislative Services Department will provide a written response containing the approval or denial of the request.

Required Items:

• The online form must be submitted at least five business days before the competition
• The official eligibility certificate must be properly completed and submitted to the conference/A.I.I. eligibility chair prior to the competition.

Proposing Legislative Amendments

Process:
Proposed amendments must be sponsored by an authorized NAIA council, an NAIA standing committee, an NAIA association, or an affiliated conference. All proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the NAIA President/Chief Executive Officer no later than 90 days prior to the annual meeting (the NAIA Legislative Services Department should be copied on all electronic submissions).

A proposed amendment sponsored by an NAIA affiliated conference or NAIA coaches association must have a minimum of one additional NAIA affiliated conference, NAIA council or NAIA standing committee co-sponsor the proposed amendment. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee will work with amendment presenters to assure the intent of the proposal has been met and determine the effect the proposal will have on current regulations not addressed in the proposal.

Required Items:

• The proposed language to be amended.
• The intent of the proposed amendment.
• The rationale for proposing the legislative amendment