PSAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS



PSAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:



The Eligibility Rules and Regulations shall apply uniformly to all high school students in the New York City Public Schools.

The Principal and the Athletic Director shall be responsible for the examination of records to determine a student's eligibility in all sports. These records shall be subject to an audit by the PSAL.

A student is eligible to participate in the PSAL interscholastic sports program immediately upon lawful registration and entry into a New York City Public High School that offers such a program, provided the student meets the standards as set forth by the Eligibility Rules and Regulations, with the following exceptions:

Any transferring student who was on an active roster at a public high school at any time during the year prior to the date of transfer, shall be ineligible to represent the school transferred to, in that sport, for a period of one year from the date of transfer, unless the student can demonstrate that the transfer is the result of an official change of residence by his/her parents or legal guardians or the result of a legal change in guardians.

If a student was on a team's active roster in a sport in any high school (public, parochial or private), that student may not participate in the same sport during the same season, for any other team.

A student may participate on one or more teams but only for the school in which he/she is a full-time student.

An athlete may only participate on one team per sports' season (Fall, Winter and Spring). This rule shall not prevent a student from giving up one sport and competing in another sport in the same season. However, the athlete must drop off the team prior to the second scheduled PSAL contest in order to be allowed to transfer teams. If he/she does so, he/she may not return to compete in the first sport during that school year. When two sports are overlapping, a student may represent his/her school in only one of the sports. If a season is lengthened due to post-season play, a student-athlete may receive credit for 25% of the practice requirements needed to compete in the second sport (as specified in the PSAL Sports Standards for Interscholastic Competition).

Eligibility of any student to compete in a postponed game shall be determined as of the date on which the game is actually played.

A student must comply with the City-wide Standards of Disciplinary and Intervention Measures.

A student who is enrolled in the PSAL sports program must comply with each of the PSAL athletic eligibility requirements with respect to the timely submission of completed medicals and parental consent forms, academics, age, attendance, and good citizenship.


  1. The 5 + 1 Rule: A student must pass five credit bearing subjects and physical education. A senior programmed for 4 or 5 classes who fails one class will be eligible as long as the failed class is not required for graduation.

  2. The 10 credit Rule: A student must accumulate ten credits for the two semesters prior to the eligibility period, not counting physical education

  3. Students must achieve a minimum of 90% attendance at the end of each marking period (NO MORE THAN 3 ABSENCES)

  4. Student-athletes must achieve a passing GPA at time of eligibility evaluation.

  5. Lateness to school/class may result in exclusion from athletics.

  6. Cutting class will result in exclusion from athletics.

  7. You are no longer eligible after your 8th term of high school or if you turn 19 years of age before July 1 of that school year.

**NO ONE MAY TRY OUT WITHOUT TURNING IN A COMPLETED MEDICAL AND CONSENT FORM**

The medical form must be signed and stamped by the doctor as well as having the registry number and date of the physical or it will not be accepted. The top portion must be completely filled out and signed by your parent/guardian.




IMPORTANT COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH RISK PSAL PARTICIPANTS




As announced on August 20, COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all students and staff participating in high-risk Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) sports during the 2022-23 school year. This vaccination requirement applies to all participants in high-risk sports, including students (both DOE and charter), Coaches, and Athletic Directors.

High-risk sports include football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, lacrosse, stunt, and rugby. Vaccination will also be required for participation in bowling, because while not a high-risk sport, it takes place in spaces that require vaccination.

Participants in fall high-risk sports must get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the first day of competitive play, which varies by sport. Fall, Winter and spring PSAL participants have until the beginning of their season to be fully vaccinated. Participants will be able to use the DOE’s online vaccination portal to upload their vaccination cards.

This vaccine mandate is in alignment with recent New York State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which state that high-risk sports and extracurricular activities should be virtual or canceled in areas of high community transmission unless all participants are fully vaccinated.