NCAA Division I Educational Column: Initial Eligibility — Advanced Placement — International Certification

On April 23, 2012, the NCAA released an educational column discussing the use of academic placement credits for international student-athlete initial eligibility certification. Specifically, the column noted, “if a student-athlete is admitted to an institution with at least 24 hours of advanced-placement credit from a College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) examination or a similar proficiency examination, the student-athlete shall be immediately eligible.”

Further, institutions should note that any institution using Bylaw 14.3.5.4.1 to certify the initial academic eligibility of an international prospective student-athlete must submit the following information to the NCAA Eligibility Center before the certification will be completed: (1) official results from a “similar proficiency examination”; and (2) verification from the institution’s registrar (on letterhead) indicating that at least 24 hours of credit were awarded for the “similar proficiency examination.”

This educational column referenced NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.3.5.4 (advanced placement) and 14.3.5.4.1 (international certification); and a staff interpretation (9/18/92, Item No. b).

In light of this interpretation, the Michael L. Buckner Law Firm recommends institutions’ athletics compliance: a) include this educational column in the next scheduled rules-education session for the athletics staff and coaches; and b) include this educational column in the next scheduled-rules education session for the institution’s admission and registrar offices.