Agent Certification - Questions You May Have

I do not have an undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree. May I still take the exam?

The NFLPA may grant an exception to the degree requirement only if specific evidence of at least seven (7) years sufficient negotiating experience is provided in lieu of both degrees. For example, if you have only an undergraduate degree you still need to provide documentation that reflects a minimum of seven (7) years of negotiating experience. There is an available portal on the online application to supply additional documentation to reflect such relevant negotiating experience. You may also send this documentation to agentservices@nflpa.com once you have submitted the online application. Applications and documentation are not prescreened for approval. Vetting begins once the background investigation has been conducted.
The application fee is non-refundable even if you are not granted a degree exception.

I do not currently have a post-graduate degree, but I will by the time of the exam. Can I still apply?
Yes, however, you will need to submit proof of completion before you may take the exam.

What does “Accredited College or University” mean?

A college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or the Office of Degree Authorization (ODA). Any foreign institution must have the foreign equivalent of U.S. approved accreditation as determined by the Office of Degree Authorization.
 

How will I know if my application to take the exam is approved?

We will communicate with you concerning the processing of your application. If specific question(s) arise, you will be contacted directly. Please make sure we always have a valid email address for you. Updates to a submitted application should be sent to agentservices@nflpa.com. The NFLPA utilizes a third-party company to perform background investigations for each applicant and that generally takes a few months to complete based on the number of candidates each year. Information necessary for the seminar registration and the exam scheduling will be made available to applicants in early May.
 

What happens if I do not pass this year's examination?

If you do not pass this year's exam and this was your first year taking the exam, you may participate in the next Seminar for Agent Applicants and take the exam again; you will not need to pay an additional application fee. The fee waiver will only apply to the following year's seminar. If you also fail that exam, you are prohibited from filing another application for five (5) years.
 

What happens if I am approved to participate in the upcoming Seminar for Agent Applicants, but at the time it occurs, I cannot attend?

If you are approved to participate and this is your first year, you remain eligible to participate in the following year’s seminar and take the examination without additional cost. The seminar and exam are administered once each year. 

If I pass the examination, when can I begin to sign players?

If you pass the examination, you will receive an invoice for the annual fee and information concerning obtaining required liability insurance. The insurance becomes effective October 1. You can expect to become fully certified around that time, assuming the annual fee and insurance requirement has been fulfilled.

How much is the annual fee and when is it due?

The annual fee is currently $1,500 (subject to change) if you represent fewer than 10 active players, and $2,000 (subject to change) if you represent 10 or more active players. An invoice and instructions will be sent along with your exam results and is payable immediately. The application fee paid in January covered application review, background investigation, the seminar and examination. The annual fee payment will cover registration cost for NFLPA Agent Seminars and provides resources and support to agents to assist them in properly representing their NFL player clients.

When and where are the next required seminars?

Contract Advisors certified at the Seminar for Agent Applicants are required to attend one mandatory seminar the following year. Typically, there are three seminars every year: one in February (subject to change); one at a location TBD during the spring; and the final seminar is in conjunction with the Sports Lawyers Association's annual conference (separate registration fee required).
What circumstances will cause a lapse in my certification?

Reasons your certification will lapse include but are not limited to:
(1) failure to attend a required seminar, (2) failure to pay the annual fee (3) failure to maintain required insurance in any given year (4) failure to negotiate and sign at least one NFL Player Contract (excluding Practice Squad) within a three-year period and (5) failure to comply with any other stated NFLPA stated policies. 

If certification should lapse for any reason, NFL clubs and your NFL Player clients will be notified that you are no longer permitted to negotiate NFL contracts.

You may regain certification by submitting a new application (fee required), participating in the Seminar for Agent Applicants, and passing the next administered exam.