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Division I Legislation
How Division I rules are made — the legislative processes, the annual calendar, and Convention resources.
Division I Legislative Processes
The two legislative processes below outline how amendments to current Division I legislation can occur. Committee members collaborate with NCAA staff, member conferences and institutions and student-athletes throughout the decision-making process. The following information summarizes the steps required for enacting changes.
Every proposal must include its intent and rationale, effective date, budget impact, student-athlete time impact, Division I commitment alignment, and legislative lenses. Conferences may submit concepts to an oversight committee or the Cabinet for introduction as proposals.
Amendments to Division I Legislation
Division I legislative proposals are reviewed through one of four legislative processes depending on the scope, urgency and impact of the proposal. While most proposals move through the standard legislative process, Division I governance bodies may use expedited, emergency or division dominant processes when circumstances warrant. The table below provides an overview of each legislative pathway, including proposal requirements, voting thresholds and potential outcomes.
Division I Legislative Calendar
The four annual cycles below set every deadline in the legislative process.
These dates apply to both pathways. For legislation in other areas (Cabinet-adopted), the introduction deadline may instead be tied to the prior Cabinet meeting (June, October, January or April).
What Happens at the Review Stages
The calendar ends at two decision points — the oversight committee’s review and the Cabinet meeting. Here’s what each can do with a proposal:
Division I Legislative Resources
- Practical Workflow for Calculating Equivalencies
- NCAA Division I Bylaw 15 (2024-25)
- NCAA Division I Proposal No. 2026-27 Playing and Practice Seasons – Soccer – Length of Playing Season Question and Answer Resource
- Proposed House Settlement – Implementation Committee February 2025 Status Update
- Question and Answer: Impact on Current Division I Student-Athletes
- Question and Answer: Impact on Institutions (Updated May 29, 2026)
- NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement
Division I Compliance
How Division I schools follow the rules day to day — forms and reporting, attestation, legislative relief and waivers, and rules support.
Division I Compliance Forms & Reporting
Division I Attestation of Compliance
Division I chancellors, presidents and directors of athletics are required to complete an annual attestation of compliance affirming their understanding of the institutional obligations and personal responsibilities outlined in NCAA Constitution Article 1 and Constitution Article 6. Directors of athletics also attest that athletics department staff members are aware of these responsibilities, and that institutional policies, procedures and practices comply with NCAA legislation. Failure to complete the attestation may result in removal from or ineligibility to serve on NCAA boards, councils or committees, as well as ineligibility to participate in NCAA championships.
The 2025-26 attestation window opens Sept. 8 and closes Nov. 6. The NCAA national office uses DocuSign to provide a streamlined electronic attestation process. The annual attestation reflects the NCAA’s continued commitment to institutional control and accountability, principles reaffirmed during the Association’s 2021-22 constitutional review process.
Division I Legislative Relief Waivers
The NCAA Division I Cabinet has authority for legislative relief waivers for NCAA Division I sports that do not have an oversight committee (e.g., sports without NCAA championship such as national collegiate, emerging sports) as well as requests involving the following bylaws: institutional control (Bylaw 8), ethical conduct (Bylaw 10), financial aid (Bylaw 15), awards and benefits (Bylaw 16), and governance structure and committees (Bylaw 21).
The sports oversight committees authority extends to legislative relief waivers of conduct of athletics personnel (Bylaw 11), recruiting (Bylaw 13), playing and practice seasons (Bylaw 17) and processes and procedures related to the administration of the regular seasons and championships (Bylaw 31).
The NCAA Division I Academic and Eligibility Committee was developed to establish a single committee responsible for matters governing eligibility. The NCAA Division I Academic Eligibility Subcommittee has authority for legislative relief waivers related to academic eligibility (Bylaw 14). The Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee generally has authority for legislative relief waivers related to athletics eligibility (Bylaw 12). Authority includes review of individual waivers as well as the ability to issue blanket waivers.
Required Forms and Actions
Have Additional Questions or Need Help?
NCAA Legislative Interpretations and Bylaw Assistance
NCAA member institutions and conferences can request guidance on NCAA legislation, bylaws and student-athlete eligibility matters through the NCAA Governance and Member Services (GMS) staff.
Submit an Interpretation Request
The preferred method for requesting an NCAA interpretation is through Requests/Self-Reports Online (RSRO).
How to Submit a Request
1. Log in and select the Home tab
2. Under My Application Links, select Requests/Self-Reports Online (RSRO)
3. Click Request or Self-Report
4. Select Interpretation Request from the dropdown menu
5. Complete and submit your request
If you have questions or experience issues submitting a request, email rsro@ncaa.org. Please include your case number, if applicable.
Note: If RSRO does not appear in your application list, contact your institution’s Single Sign-On (SSO) administrator to request access.
For urgent requests requiring a response by the next business day when there is insufficient time to submit through RSRO.
General contact information for NCAA Governance and Member Services
NCAA Governance and Member Services
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222