Participation in Qualifying for Professional Competitions

Those amateur athletes who participate in amateur competitions identified as qualifiers for PRO competition, and who place in accordance to standards identified by the NGA shall be qualified to apply for their official NGA PRO Status. Competitors cannot have used any substance on the NGA banned list during the duration periods specified on the list.

Drug Testing Policies and Procedures

All NGA athletes must be completely free of the performancedenhancing drugs, as listed below. The length of drug abstinence may be lengthened by the NGA Staff (i.e.: natural for life) when policies are examined on an annual basis. The NGA Staff prior to the calendar year will announce any such changes when the alteration is to take place.

Categories

Categories offered include: Bikini, Wellness, Men's Bodybuilding, Men's Classic Physique, Figure, Men's Physique, and Women's Physique. Competitors can compete in only one category at a particular show.

Divisions

Divisions offered at events are based on age and level of experience. Divisions offered at a particular event are at the event promoter’s discretion. The most common divisions typically offered are:

• Debut: First competition ever. Competitors cannot have ever competed in any category with any organization.
• Novice: Cannot have placed first in any class besides Teen, within any division, within any category, with any organization or at any independent event, with the exception of cases where first place was won in a class where the competitor was the only one in the class.
• Open: Open to everyone regardless of age and level of experience.
• Age: Age as of day of contest must fall within the stipulated age range (Ex: Age 50 & Over).
• Teen: Ages 16-19. *under age 18 with parental consent
• Junior: Age 22 and under. *under age 18 with parental consent

Classes

When divisions have more than one class, the majority of NGA events divide groups into as equal as possible parts by height based on total number of entries in a division. Formation of classes within divisions at a show is at a promoter's discretion though, and could sometimes be done by using specified height or weight ranges. Check a specific event's details to see which method will be used for a particular event.

Scoring

When the line-up is brought on stage, the judge should check to assure that the numbers on his score sheet match the competitors' numbers. After deciding the placement order, the judge should write the competitor's placement number beginning with one for the top competitor. There should be no ties. Double check to make sure that each competitor is placed, and the highest placement number is equal to the number of competitors in the class. A sample score sheet is included in the rear of this manual.

NGA PRO QUALIFIERS

NGA Pro cards may be available, please see the event details for more information

Sportsmanship

Any athlete who demonstrates poor sportsmanship at a contest shall be banned from NGA events for 6 months. Poor sportsmanship includes:

1. Not accepting or destroying trophies on stage.
2. Walking off stage with an attitude.
3. Not appearing at evening show without a valid reason given to the Chairperson or Promoter.
4. Or any irregularity or bad behavior will constitute poor sportsmanship