You can also visit www.ifbbpro.com to get more information about everything that’s required in NPC and IFBB Pro League.

NPC Worldwide Regional and Pro Qualifier RULES
GENERAL RULES
MEN’S BODYBUILDING
WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING
WOMEN’S FITNESS
WOMEN’S FIGURE
WOMENS BIKINI
MENS PHYSIQUE
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE
MEN’S CLASSIC PHYSIQUE
WOMEN’S WELLNESS

 

 

 

 

NPC Worldwide Regional and Pro Qualifier RULES

RULE 1 – Athletes must have an NPC Worldwide membership to compete in a Regional or Pro Qualifier. Membership is valid for a calendar year. US athletes only require an NPC membership. Membership is verified before each contest.

RULE 2 – Athletes who reside in a country with a Regional Certificate requirement must compete in a Regional in their country before competing in a Pro Qualifier. Regional Certificates are valid only within the same calendar year. Regional certification is verified before each contest.

RULE 3 – If an Athlete resides in a country with a Regional Certificate requirement but there are no Regionals in that country until later in the year, the Athlete may compete in a Pro Qualifier anywhere in the world provided the Pro Qualifier is held before the first Regional in the Athlete’s country. When this Regional is held, the Athlete may not compete in any other Pro Qualifier without first obtaining a Regional Certificate from the Athlete’s country. Failure to abide by this rule will result in disqualification from the Pro Qualifier.

RULE 4 – The following countries have a Regional Certificate requirement: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vietnam

Athletes from Denmark and Finland may compete in a Regional in Denmark or Finland to fulfill the Regional Certificate requirement.
Athletes from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay may compete in a Regional in any one of these eight countries to fulfill the Regional Certificate requirement.
Athletes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam may compete in a Regional in any one of these seven countries to fulfill the Regional Certificate requirement.
Athletes from Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands may compete in a Regional in any one of these three countries to fulfill the Regional Certificate requirement.
RULE 5 – US athletes must compete in an NPC contest not more than one year before competing in a Regional or Pro Qualifier. US athletes who are posted overseas, or whose employment requires them to work overseas, are exempt from this requirement and must compete under the rules of the country in which they reside. Canadian athletes must compete in a Canadian pro qualifier not more than one year before competing in a Regional or Pro Qualifier, except for the Arnold Amateur (USA) where only a current CPA membership is required.

RULE 6 – Athletes who earn IFBB PRO status at a Pro Qualifier have one year to apply for such status failing which the Athlete must requalify.

RULE 7 – The number of IFBB PRO cards awarded at NPC Worldwide Masters contests will be decided by NPC Worldwide and the IFBB Professional League.

RULE 8 – As of January 1, 2022, if an Open division at a Pro Qualifier has less than five competitors, the division winner may petition the IFBB Professional League for IFBB PRO status. The petition must:

be submitted in writing to info@ifbb-proleague.com;
be received by the IFBB Professional League no later than 14 days after the date of the Finals. Petitions received after the
14-day deadline will not be considered;
include official stage photographs of the individual poses and all comparison poses; and
for Fitness, include a video of the fitness routine.
RULE 9 – If an Athlete qualifies for an IFBB PRO card at a Pro Qualifier and, before applying for the card, competes in another Pro Qualifier or participates in a competition or event that is not sanctioned by NPC Worldwide or the IFBB Professional League, the Athlete automatically and without notice forfeits the right to apply for the card. Participation includes, but is not limited to, competing, judging, officiating, promoting, advertising (to include using one’s likeness) or otherwise endorsing a competition or event that is not sanctioned by NPC Worldwide or the IFBB Professional League.

RULE 10 – “True Novice” means a competitor who has never competed within NPC Worldwide. “Novice” means a competitor who, in the current contest year, has NOT won an Overall in a Novice, Masters or Open contest, or who has NOT won in an Open class with three or more competitors. “Junior” means a competitor who is 18-23 years old. “Master” means a competitor who is 35 years of age or older.

*These rules are subject to change without notice. Please contact Tony Blinn at tblinn@ifbbpro.com if you have any questions.

 

GENERAL RULES:

Check-in
All competitors must present themselves at Check-in where they will be registered and, if required, weighed and height-measured.

Music
If required, all music must be submitted at Check-in.

Backstage Access
The only people permitted in the backstage area are approved officials and media.

Competitor Health
1. Any competitor who appears to be disoriented or light-headed, or who experiences undue cramping, will not be permitted to compete.
2. Any competitor disqualified for health reasons must be checked by the attending EMT and, if it is advised by the EMT, must go to the nearest hospital for evaluation.
3. Competitors who refuse to be evaluated by the EMT or at the hospital will be suspended from competition for a period of one year from the date of the occurrence.

MENS BODYBUILDING

1. CLASSES

For contests with 2 classes:

Lightweight up to and including 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg)
Heavyweight over 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg)

For contests with 3 classes:

Lightweight up to and including 165 ¼ lbs (75 kg)
Middleweight over 165 ¼ lbs (75 kg) up to and including 187 ¼ lbs (85 kg)
Heavyweight over 187 ¼ lbs (85 kg)

For contests with 4 classes:

Bantamweight up to and including 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg)
Lightweight over 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg) up to and including 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg)
Light-Heavyweight over 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg) up to and including 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg)
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg)

For contests with 5 classes:

Bantamweight up to and including 143 ¼ lbs (65 kg)
Lightweight over 143 ¼ lbs (65 kg) up to and including 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg)
Middleweight over 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg) up to and including 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg)
Light-Heavyweight over 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg) up to and including 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg)
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg)

For contests with 6 classes:

Bantamweight up to and including 143 ¼ lbs (65 kg)
Lightweight over 143 ¼ lbs (65 kg) up to and including 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg)
Middleweight over 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg) up to and including 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg)
Light-Heavyweight over 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg) up to and including 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg)
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg) up to and including 225 ¼ lbs (102 kg)
Super Heavyweight over 225 ¼ lbs (102 kg)

For contests with 7 classes:

Bantamweight up to and including 143 ¼ lbs (65 kg)
Lightweight over 143 ¼ lbs (65 kg) up to and including 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg)
Welterweight over 154 ¼ lbs (70 kg) up to and including 165 ¼ lbs (75 kg)
Middleweight over 165 ¼ lbs (75 kg) up to and including 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg)
Light-Heavyweight over 176 ¼ lbs (80 kg) up to and including 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg)
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs (90 kg) up to and including 225 ¼ lbs (102 kg)
Super Heavyweight over 225 ¼ lbs (102 kg)

2. ATTIRE
1. Posing suits must be standard men’s swimsuit with at least ½ rear coverage. Suits must meet acceptable standards of taste and decency. Thongs are prohibited.
2. Posing suits must be one color. Fringe, wording, sparkle or fluorescents is prohibited.
3. Competitors must not alter the fit of the posing suit by hiking it up in the back or by pulling up the sides during Front and Rear Lat Spreads.

3. MUSIC
1. Posing music must be on a CD or USB stick.
2. Posing music must be the only music on the CD or USB stick.
3. Posing music must not contain vulgar lyrics. Competitors using music containing vulgar lyrics will be disqualified.

4. ONSTAGE
1. During the Judging, competitors shall not wear jewelry except for a wedding band.
2. Prescription eyewear (except sun glasses) is permitted.
3. The following is prohibited while onstage:
a. Props
b. Chewing gum
c. “Moon Pose” (any competitor performing this pose will be disqualified)
d. Lying on the stage.
e. Bumping and shoving (the first and second person involved will be disqualified)
4. Competitor numbers must be worn on the left side of the posing suit during the Judging and Finals.

5. FORMAT

JUDGING

Presentation
1. Each competitor proceeds to center-stage individually in numerical order and automatically performs the mandatory poses. No signal from the Head Judge is required.
2. Each competitor has a maximum of 60 seconds to perform the poses. A warning will be given when 10 seconds remain.
3. Competitors are not required to use the full 60 seconds.
4. The mandatory poses are:
a. Front Double Biceps
b. Front Lat Spread
c. Side Chest
d. Back Double Biceps
e. Back Lat Spread
f. Side Triceps
g. Abdominals and Thighs

Comparisons
1. The Head Judge will call the competitors, in small groups and in numerical order, to center stage to perform the quarter turns and mandatory poses.
2. In the call-outs, the Head Judge will direct specific competitors to perform the quarter turns and mandatory poses. Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other.
*Judges will score competitors according to the “total package”, which is a balance of size, symmetry and muscularity.

FINALS

Routine
1. Competitors are called onstage individually in numerical order to perform a posing routine to music of the competitor’s choice.
2. The length of the posing routine is a maximum of 60 seconds.
3. Depending on the number of competitors, the promoter and Head Judge may decide that only the top finalists shall perform their posing routine.

Confirmation (if necessary*)
Competitors are called onstage and, under the direction of the Head Judge, are compared in groups while performing the mandatory poses.
*The judging panel, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to re-judge using a Confirmation round.

Posedown (overall title only)
The top finalists take part in a 60-second posedown.

6. SCORING
1. The Judging is scored 100%.
2. Ties are broken using the Relative Placement method.

WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING

1. CLASSES

For contests with 2 classes:

Lightweight up to and including 125 lbs (57 kg)
Heavyweight over 125 lbs (57 kg)
For contests with 3 classes:

Lightweight up to and including 125 lbs (57 kg)
Middleweight over 125 lbs (57 kg) up to and including 140 lbs (64 kg)
Heavyweight over 140 lbs (64 kg)
For contests with 4 classes:

Lightweight up to and including 115 lbs (52 kg)
Middleweight over 115 lbs (52 kg) up to and including 125 lbs (57 kg)
Light-Heavyweight over 125 lbs (57 kg) up to and including 140 lbs (64 kg)
Heavyweight over 140 lbs (64 kg)
2. ATTIRE

1. Posing suit bottoms must be V-shaped with at least ½ rear coverage. Suits must meet acceptable standards of taste and decency. Thongs are prohibited.

2. Posing suits may include a printed design with fringes, lace, sparkle or fluorescents.

3. Competitors must not alter the fit of the posing suit by hiking it up in the back or by pulling up the sides during Front and Rear Lat Spreads.

3. MUSIC

1. Posing music must be on a CD or USB stick.

2. Posing music must be the only music on the CD or USB stick.

3. Posing music must not contain vulgar lyrics. Competitors using music containing vulgar lyrics will be disqualified.

4. ONSTAGE

1. During the Judging, competitors shall not wear jewelry except for a wedding band. During the Finals, earrings and other jewelry may be worn.

2. During the Judging, the hair must be worn up, off the shoulders and back. Decorative pieces in the hair are prohibited. During the Finals, the hair may be worn down and decorative pieces in the hair are permitted.

3. Prescription eyewear (except sunglasses) is permitted.

4. The following is prohibited while onstage:

a. Props

b. Chewing gum

c. “Moon Pose” (any competitor performing this pose will be disqualified)

d. Lying on the stage.

e. Bumping and shoving (the first and second person involved will be disqualified)

5. Competitor numbers must be worn on the left side of the posing suit bottom during the Judging and Finals.

5. FORMAT

JUDGING

Presentation

1. Each competitor proceeds to center-stage individually in numerical order and automatically performs the mandatory poses. No signal from the Head Judge is required.

2. Each competitor has a maximum of 60 seconds to perform the poses. A warning will be given when 10 seconds remain.

3. Competitors are not required to use the full 60 seconds.

4. The mandatory poses are:

a. Front Double Biceps

b. Front Lat Spread

c. Side Chest

d. Back Double Biceps

e. Back Lat Spread

f. Side Triceps

g. Abdominals and Thighs

Comparisons

1. The Head Judge will call the competitors, in small groups and in numerical order, to center stage to perform the quarter turns and mandatory poses.

2. In the call-outs, the Head Judge will direct specific competitors to perform the quarter turns and mandatory poses. Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other.

*Judges will score competitors according to the “total package”, which is a balance of size, symmetry and muscularity.

FINALS

Routine

1. Competitors are called onstage individually in numerical order to perform a posing routine to music of the competitor’s choice.

2. The length of the posing routine is a maximum of 60 seconds.

3. Depending on the number of competitors, the promoter and Head Judge may decide that only the top finalists shall perform their posing routine.

Confirmation (if necessary*)

Competitors are called onstage and, under the direction of the Head Judge, are compared in groups while performing the mandatory poses.

*The judging panel, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to re-judge using a Confirmation round.

Posedown (overall title only)

The top finalists take part in a 60-second posedown.

6. SCORING

1. The Judging is scored 100%.

2. Ties are broken using the Relative Placement method.

WOMENS FITNESS

1. CLASSES

For contests with 2 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 3” (160 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 3” (160 cm)
For contests with 3 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 2” (157 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 2” and up to and including 5’ 4 ½” (164 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 4 ½” (164 cm)
2. ATTIRE

1. Competitors may dress as they deem appropriate to perform their fitness routines, except that:

a. Fitness routine attire must meet acceptable standards of taste and decency.

b. Thongs are prohibited.

2. Athletic footwear may be worn at the discretion of the competitor.

3. MUSIC

1. Routine music must be on a CD or USB stick.

2. Routine music must be the only music on the CD or USB stick.

3. Routine music must not contain vulgar lyrics. Competitors using music containing vulgar lyrics will be disqualified.

4. ONSTAGE

1. Prescription eyewear is permitted. Sunglasses are permitted if they are an accessory to the routine attire.

2. Competitor numbers must be worn on the left side of the routine attire.

3. Props are permitted under the following conditions:

a. They must be of a size and weight to allow transport onto and off the stage by the competitor, without assistance.

b. They must not leave any residue on the stage that might cause a safety hazard for other competitors, or that might require cleaning the stage before subsequent use by other competitors.

c. If discarded during the routine, they must be transported off the stage by the competitor, without assistance.

4. Competitors are prohibited from wearing product i.e. oils, lotions, creams, etc. that may leave slippery residue on the stage.

5. FORMAT

 

 

WOMENS FIGURE

1. CLASSES

For all contests with 2 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 4” (163 cm)
For all contests with 3 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 4” and up to and including 5’ 6” (168 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 6” (168 cm)
For all contests with 4 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 2” (157 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 2” and up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 4” and up to and including 5’ 6” (168 cm)
Class D Over 5’ 6” (168 cm)
For all contests with 6 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 1” (155 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 1” and up to and including 5’ 2 ½” (159 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 2 ½” and up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class D Over 5’ 4” and up to and including 5’ 5 ½” (166 cm)
Class E Over 5’ 5 ½” and up to and including 5’ 7” (170 cm)
Class F Over 5’ 7” (170 cm)
2. ATTIRE

1. Competitors compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. Thongs are prohibited. Competitors can compete in an off-the-rack suit. All suits must meet acceptable standards of taste and decency.

2. Competitors must wear high heels.

3. Competitors may wear jewelry.

3. ONSTAGE

1. Prescription eyewear (except sunglasses) is permitted.

2. Competitor numbers must be worn on the left side of the suit bottom at all times while onstage.

4. FORMAT

JUDGING

Presentation

1. Each competitor, in numerical order, walks to the center of the stage and performs the quarter turns. Length of time allowed is 30 seconds.

2. Depending on the number of competitors in the class, each competitor may be directed to:

a. exit the stage until the entire class has performed the quarter turns at which time the entire class is called back onstage; or

b. line up along diagonal lines on the sides of the stage.

Comparisons

1. The Head Judge will call the competitors, in small groups and in numerical order, to center stage to perform the quarter turns.

2. In the call-outs, the Head Judge will direct specific competitors to perform the quarter turns. Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other.

5. SCORING

The Presentation and Comparisons are scored 100% using the following criteria:

1. Small degree of muscularity with separation, no visible striations

2. Overall muscle tone with shapely lines, overall firmness and not excessively lean

3. Full general assessment

4. Healthy appearance

5. Skin tone and make-up

*If necessary, the judging panel, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to re-judge at the Finals using a Confirmation round.

WOMENS BIKINI

1. CLASSES

For all contests with 2 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 4” (163 cm)
For all contests with 3 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 4” and up to and including 5’ 6” (168 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 6” (168 cm)
For all contests with 4 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 2” (157 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 2” and up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 4” and up to and including 5’ 6” (168 cm)
Class D Over 5’ 6” (168 cm)
For all contests with 6 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 1” (155 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 1” and up to and including 5’ 2 ½” (159 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 2 ½” and up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class D Over 5’ 4” and up to and including 5’ 5 ½” (166 cm)
Class E Over 5’ 5 ½” and up to and including 5’ 7” (170 cm)
Class F Over 5’ 7” (170 cm)
For all contests with 8 classes:

Class A Up to and including 5’ 1” (155 cm)
Class B Over 5’ 1” and up to and including 5’ 2” (157 cm)
Class C Over 5’ 2” and up to and including 5’ 3” (160 cm)
Class D Over 5’ 3” and up to and including 5’ 4” (163 cm)
Class E Over 5’ 4” and up to and including 5’ 5” (165 cm)
Class F Over 5’ 5” and up to and including 5’ 6” (168 cm)
Class G