Playing Sports in College

NCAA Clearinghouse

If you want to play NCAA sports at a Division I or II school, you need to register for a Certification Account with the NCAA Eligibility Center. College-bound student-athletes in Division III can also create a Profile Page to receive important updates about being a student-athlete and preparing for college. Students who are not sure which division they want to compete in can create a Profile Page and transition to a Certification Account if they decide to play Division I or II sports.

NCAA Clearinghouse Registration Process

    1. It is recommended that the student-athlete registers in his/her junior year, beginning in the month of May. To register, the student-athlete needs to apply online through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
    2. After the student registration is complete, you must request your high school transcripts be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse. One will be sent as a final junior transcript and one will be sent as a final senior transcript.*
    3. *Please Note: If the student has attended more than one high school, each high school must receive a copy of the completed Student Release form, and a transcript must be sent from each high school attended.
    4. All prospective student-athletes intending to enroll in a NCAA Division I or II institution for the first time must complete the NCAA Amateurism Certification questionnaire.
    5. Test scores must be reported directly from either ACT or SAT. They will no longer be accepted from the high school transcript.
      • When registering to take the SAT’s or ACT’s you should include the NCAA as one of your free choices as to where to send your scores.
      • The code for the NCAA is 9999.
      • If you did not do this, you may do so online via the following resources:
    6. Upon completion of the junior year, the final junior year transcript will be sent to the Clearinghouse. The student will receive an initial clearing statement from the Clearinghouse in the fall of the student’s senior year.
    7. Before the end of the senior year, you must request the Final Amateurism Certification for each sport that you will participate in. The steps to do so are as follows:
      1. Log back into your NCAA Eligibility Center Account.
      2. Click on "MY PLANNER."
      3. Select the red “Request Final Amateurism” button and follow the instructions.
    8. After graduation, the student’s final senior transcript with the exact date of graduation must be sent to the Clearinghouse from the high school. The student will then receive a final clearing statement from the Clearinghouse.

Below is a list of items we recommend you have before beginning your registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center:

Valid Student Email: You need a valid email address that you check regularly to register. This is important for updating prospective student-athletes about their account.

Basic Student Personal Information: This includes information such as your name, gender, date of birth, primary and secondary contact information, and address.

Basic Student Education History: Please include details about all high schools or secondary schools you have attended in the United States or internationally, and additional programs you have attended. Check if your school has a list of NCAA-approved courses.

Student Sports Participation History: For Certification Accounts, this includes details for any expenses or awards you received, any teams you have practiced or played with or certain events in which you participated, including your high school team. It also includes information about any individuals who have advised you or marketed your skills in a particular sport. This information helps the Eligibility Center certify your amateur status when it is requested by an NCAA school.