Do You Need an NCAA Eligibility Center Profile or Certification Account?

So, the new free profile could be a great way to receive an NCAA ID without the commitment of a certification account — until you know for sure that you want to play at those levels.

The NCAA Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the eligibility of all DI and DII college athletes.

Here’s how it works: Potential NCAA DI and DII college athletes are required to register with the NCAA and submit their transcripts, SAT/ACT test scores and answer questions pertaining to their amateur status. Then, if they meet all the requirements by the end of their senior year, they are certified by the NCAA.

Recently, the NCAA updated its Eligibility Center website, and now there is a new registration option: A free profile. That means when you decide to register, you’ll have a choice between creating a free profile, or the standard certification account. Here’s the difference and how you can choose.

Quick facts about NCAA Certification Accounts and NCAA Profiles

NCAA Profile

• What you get: You will get an NCAA ID number (needed for recruiting questionnaires and official visits)

• What you need to create a profile: Valid email you will have access to throughout high school and college (Don’t use an email given to you by your high school)

• When to create your NCAA Profile: Any time after 8th grade

• No fee required

NCAA Certification Account

What you get: In addition to an NCAA ID number, you will also be able to submit your official transcripts, SAT/ACT test scores and request final amateurism certification (only needed at the end of your senior year). You can send your SAT and ACT scores directly to the Eligibility Center by using code “9999” to select the NCAA Eligibility Center as a score recipient.

• What you need to create a certification account: You will need a valid email and the ability to pay the registration fee (if you qualify, you can get an NCAA fee waiver by following these steps.

• When to create an NCAA Certification Account: If a college coach has asked you to submit your transcripts/test scores to the NCAA, or if you feel confident you are being recruited or will be recruited by DI or DII college coaches, you should create a certification account. We recommend doing this during your sophomore year. DI coaches can invite student-athletes to attend official visits beginning Sept. 1 of their junior year, and if you’re going to receive an invitation, you’ll want a certification account set up before then.  

• The fee is $85 for US students and $135 for International.

Read more about the differences on the NCSA website
 

What’s best for me — free profile or certification account?  

Bottom line: If you’re not quite sure yet whether you’re going to play DI or DII sports, especially if you aren’t getting interest at those levels yet, you can start with a free profile.

The free profile comes with an NCAA ID number, and you can use that number to fill out recruiting questionnaires. Then, when you’re receiving serious coach interest, you can upgrade to a certification account and pay the registration fee.

Remember that the only time the NCAA will determine the eligibility of student-athletes is if they have graduated high school, completed all of the steps of the Certification Account AND a DI or DII university has requested their eligibility status.

So, the new free profile could be a great way to receive an NCAA ID without the commitment of a certification account — until you know for sure that you want to play at those levels.

Read more: How to request final amateurism certification