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California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)
Eligibility contact: CIF State Office · (916) 239-4477
Indexed from California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)’s own published handbook. Superseded rules are never shown here as current — every section below is the version in force today.
Academic Eligibility
11 — PURPOSE
Effective 2026-07-01The purposes of this organization are: A. To serve as an organization through which member high schools may mutually adopt rules relating to interscholastic athletics (grades 9-12) and establish agreed upon minimum standards for certain aspects of the interscholastic athletic program; to guide schools and school districts in the discharge of their responsibilities for, among other considerations, the health, safety, general welfare and educational opportunities of the students taking part in interscholastic athletics. B. The CIF is limited to facilitating the establishment of these regulations and minimum standards and to the application of appropriate sanctions when failure to meet these standards, rules and regulations comes to the attention of the CIF. C. To cultivate cordial and friendly relations among schools through good standards of sportsmanship. D. To promote the acceptance of the CIF Operating Principles and Code of Ethics of the California Interscholastic Federation. NOTE: The CIF Operating Principles are defined as the 16 Principles of the Pursuing Victory with Honor sm program adopted by the Federated Council in November of 1999 (See Article 1-12). E. This organization does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to the members hereof and it is organized for non- profit. F. To promote equal opportunity for all the youth in California secondary school athletic programs regardless of disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. G. Member schools are responsible for monitoring and assuring compliance with these standards, rules and regulations except as set forth above, as well as responsibility for any matters of school administration or pupil supervision. Membership of schools in the California Interscholastic Federation is contingent upon compliance with the rules and regulations of the organization’s Constitution and Bylaws. (Approved May 2001 Federated Council)
1200 — CIF-APPROVED SPORTS
Effective 2026-07-01A. The addition to, or deletion from, the list of CIF-approved sports is subject to Federated Council approval. A Section may not approve or conduct competition in a non-CIF-approved sport without Federated Council approval. Approved interscholastic sports are: badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, competitive sport cheer (STUNT), cross country, field hockey, flag football, football, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, traditional competitive cheer, track and field, volleyball, water polo and wrestling. NOTE: Snowboarding is an approved event within the sport of skiing. (1) Interscholastic competition in approved sports shall be conducted under CIF rules. (2) All sports or events not listed as CIF-approved sports need not be conducted under CIF rules or jurisdiction. (Revised April 2017 Federated Council Revised February 2021 Federated Council/Editorial) B. Boxing Boxing is not approved as a CIF interscholastic sport. Schools participating in interscholastic boxing may be barred from all CIF competition for a period of time up to one (1) year in duration.
1201 — OFFICIAL RULES BOOKS
Effective 2026-07-01A. In all student team sports, where rules are written by the National Federation, the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Rules Book shall be official. In student team sports where the National Federation does not write the rules, the NCAA rules scholastic division shall apply. In sports where neither the National Federation nor the NCAA writes the rules, the nationally recognized amateur association rules for that sport shall apply. B. Where rules are written for girls’ sports by the National Federation, those rules shall be official. C. In gymnastics, Sections are authorized to use the U.S. Gymnastics Federation (USGF) rules for compulsory routines; all optional routines must follow National Federation rules. D. In sports for girls where the National Federation does not write the rules, the National Association of Girls and Women Sports (NAGWS) rules shall be official whenever the rules for the sport are written by NAGWS. In sports where neither the National Federation nor the NAGWS write the rules, the nationally recognized amateur association rules for that sport shall apply. E. For special mixed events and coed teams in tennis, volleyball and badminton, the following rules guide shall be used: Tennis - United States Tennis Association (USTA); Beach Volleyball/Volleyball - United States Volleyball Association (USVBA); Badminton – Official Rule Book for USA Badminton. NOTE: Sections may adopt optional game rules whenever permitted by state association adoption in all sports game rules published by the National Federation.
1202 — DAILY CONTEST LIMITATIONS
Effective 2026-07-01A. Contests Interscholastic (dual-triangular) athletic contests in CIF-approved sports are to be arranged in such a way that no student shall take part in more than two (2) athletic contests in any one (1) day. NOTE: The two (2) contest maximum rule does not apply to tournaments. B. Tournaments All interscholastic athletic tournaments [involving four (4) or more teams] in CIF-approved sports are to be arranged in such a way that no student shall take part in more than one (1) tournament in the same sport in any one (1) day.
1803 — TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE CHEER STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01A State Championship will be held in January. School team entries will be placed into the appropriate divisions based on registration forms and participation in their Section Championships, when offered. (Approved April 2024 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION82 ARTICLE 190 CROSS COUNTRY
21 — FORMATION OF NEW SECTIONS/GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Effective 2026-07-01A. New Sections Petitions for the formation of new Sections shall be made directly to the Federated Council. Approval of a proposal to form a new Section requires a majority vote of the Federated Council present at a regular meeting of the council. B. Existing Section Approval of a proposal to amend an existing Section, or Sections, requires a majority vote of the Federated Council present at a regular meeting of the council. Such proposals will be presented at a regular Federated Council meeting prior to the meeting where a vote is taken on the proposal. C. Format for Section Modification The following conditions must be considered for Section modification: (1) Feasibility study must be made to include the following financial considerations: a. Income projection (i) Dues structure (ii) Playoff revenue (iii) Other revenue b. Expense projection (i) Proposed budget (2) Membership Consideration for Proposed Section a. Public schools b. Non-public schools c. Demographics (i) Size of schools (ii) Distances (iii) Geography (3) Governance Consideration for Proposed Section a. School representation b. League representation c. Committee/Council/Board Structure (4) Voting Summary for Proposed Section Members a. Public school vote b. Non-public school vote c. Additional demographic information (e.g., size of school, location of school etc.) d. Governing Board of the School Districts (Approved May 2002 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION16 (5) Voting Summary for Existing Section a. Total Section vote b. Public school vote c. Non-public school vote d. Demographic data (e.g., size of school, location of school, etc.) (6) Submit to Section Modification Committee a. Presentation of proposal b. Presentation of feasibility study c. Voting summaries d. Written opposition report(s) (optional) e. Public hearing f. Recommendation by committee to State Federated Council (Approved February 1984 Federated Council/Revised May 1997 Federated Council) D. Guidelines/Criteria for a New Section Formation For the purposes of forming a new Section, the following must be addressed in any application. Variations from these guidelines could affect the terms of participation as a member of the CIF. (1) Sections shall abide by the CIF Constitution, Bylaws and the Operating Principles of the organization as found in the Pursuing Victory with Honor sm Program. (2) All Sections shall be contiguous. (3) Sections shall be geographically configured, considering physical and natural boundaries. (4) Section formation shall be flexible and responsive to address the changing demographics and long-term growth in California. (5) Section formation shall address the needs of all schools, non-public and public schools, within the geographic boundaries of the new Section. (6) Sections shall consist of multiple leagues. (7) Sections shall consist of multiple school districts. (8) Sections shall have sufficient resources to provide adequate governance and services to their member schools. (9) Section formation shall take into consideration the financial impacts on local schools. (10) Section formation application must address the impact on opportunities to participate in State Championships. (11) Sections must be of sufficient size to address issues of economic viability, competitive opportunities and State competitions. (Approved May 2002 Federated Council)
214 — POST-INJUNCTION REMEDIES
Effective 2026-07-01If a student-athlete, who is ineligible under the terms of the Constitution, Bylaws or other legislation of the California Interscholastic Federation, is permitted to participate in interscholastic competition contrary to such CIF legislation, but in accordance with the terms of a court restraining order, stay, or injunction operative against the CIF and injunction is subsequently voluntarily vacated, stayed, reversed or finally determined by the courts that injunctive relief is not or was not justified, the CIF or its Sections, may take any one or more of the following actions against the school in the interest of restitution and fairness to competing schools: A. Require that individual records and performances achieved during participation by such ineligible student-athlete shall be vacated or stricken; B. Require that team records and performances achieved during participation by the ineligible student-athlete shall be vacated or stricken; C. Require that individual awards earned during participation by such ineligible student-athlete be returned to the CIF, the sponsor or the competing institution; D. Require that team awards earned during participation by such ineligible student-athlete be returned to the CIF, the sponsor or the competing institution; E. Require that team victories achieved during participation by such ineligible student-athlete shall be abrogated and the games or events forfeited to the opposing schools; F. Make a determination of future ineligibility for one or more CIF Championships, or playoff competition, in the sports in which the ineligible student-athlete participated; G. Make a determination of future ineligibility for invitational and postseason meets and tournaments in the sports in which the student-athlete participated; H. Require that a school which has been represented in a CIF Championship or playoff event by an ineligible student- athlete return its share of the net receipts from such competition in excess of the school’s actual cash expenses with reference to such event or, if such funds have not been distributed to the school, require that funds be withheld by the State Executive Director or Section Commissioner. Funds remitted or withheld pursuant to the above, shall be utilized by the CIF in either the State or Section scholar-athlete or drug abuse programs; I. When a student-athlete competing as an individual is declared ineligible subsequent to the competition, or a penalty has been imposed or action taken as set forth above, the student-athlete’s performance shall be stricken from the Championship’s records, the points the student-athlete has contributed to the team’s total shall be deleted, the team standings shall be adjusted accordingly and any awards involved shall be returned to the CIF. The placement of other individual competitors shall be altered appropriately; J. When a student-athlete representing a school in team events is declared ineligible subsequent to the competition, or a penalty has been imposed or action taken as set forth above, all records of the team’s performance shall be deleted, the team’s place in the final standings shall be vacated and the team’s trophy, banner, patches and other indicia of victory shall be returned to the CIF. In the event the student-athlete’s school has been previously declared champion, the runner-up school shall be declared champion and all records adjusted accordingly. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 51
2300 — SEASON OF SPORT
Effective 2026-07-01Girls Golf will be conducted in the Fall. Boys Golf will be conducted in the Spring. (Approved November 1998 Federated Council) ARTICLE 240 GYMNASTICS 2400. RULES Sections are authorized to use USA Gymnastic rules for compulsory routines; all optional routines must follow National Federation rules. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION84 ARTICLE 250 LACROSSE
25 — RATIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVES
Effective 2026-07-01Each local school district board of education or private school governing board will ratify to the appropriate CIF Section Office, by August 15 of each year, the appointment of individuals and alternates by name or by title who will be school representatives to the athletic leagues for the upcoming year. In the absence of the appropriate filing, all voting privileges for the affected school(s) shall be suspended. ARTICLE 3 THE FEDERATED COUNCIL 30. MEMBERSHIP The governing body of the California Interscholastic Federation shall be known as “The Federated Council.” The Federated Council shall consist of representatives elected from each Section, a representative from the State Department of Education, representatives from Allied Organizations selected by those organizations, the President, President-Elect, and immediate Past-President of the Federated Council. A. Representatives elected from each Section shall be elected to hold office for two (2) years. If a Section has more than one (1) representative on the council, the terms will be staggered. B. With the exception of the Past-President, Section Past-President, the representative from the State Department of Education, and representatives of Allied Organizations, any individual not directly accountable to, or voting member of, a local board of education or school(s) governing body shall not be a voting member of the State or a Section-governing and/or policy-making body. C. Any member of the Federated Council who changes professional status in such a manner that no longer qualifies the individual as a member of the governing body may not continue as a voting member of the body. The individual shall be replaced, by the rules of the State or Section, by the next regular meeting of the body. D. A voting representative to the Federated Council from an allied organization must be in a current role performing the daily responsibilities associated with the title or the organization (i.e., the representative from the Association of California School Administrators must be an active administrator in California; the representative from the Association of Private School Organizations must be currently affiliated with one (1) or more of the private schools represented; the representative from the California School Boards Association must be an active board member; the California State Athletic Directors Association representative shall be an active athletic director, etc.). If the status of the representative changes in such a manner so that the representative is no longer in an active role that truly reflects the general membership of the allied organization, the organization must replace the representative with one who is in such a role in order to have full voting representation at the Federated Council. Allied Organizations will certify that representatives comply with this Bylaw and send such certification to the State Executive Director by August 15 of each year. E. Representation on the Federated Council for Allied Organizations will include the following: (1) California Coaches Association, two (2) representatives; (2) California State Athletic Directors Association, two (2) representatives; (3) California School Boards Association, two (2) representatives; (4) Association of California School Administrators, one (1) representative; (5) California Association of Private School Organizations, two (2) representatives; (6) California Superintendents Liaison Committee, one (1) representative; CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION20 (7) California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, two (2) representatives; (8) California Association of Directors of Activities, one (1) representative; NOTE: An Allied Organization with two (2) representatives shall have one (1) male and one (1) female representative. (Approved May 1999 Federated Council)
300 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
Effective 2026-07-01A. Student Participation Interscholastic sports teams composed of boys and/or boys and girls shall be conducted in accordance with these Bylaws. Girls’ interscholastic sports teams shall be conducted according to these Bylaws, including certain additional rules and modifications pertaining to girls’ sports teams and mixed (co-educational) sports teams. (See also Bylaw 201 for enrollment standards) B. Team Designations Schools shall designate the type of team for each sport according to the following: (1) Student Team Whenever the school provides only a team or teams for boys in a particular sport, girls are permitted to qualify for the student team(s). (2) Boys Team Whenever the school provides a team or teams for boys and a team or teams for girls in the same sport, girls shall not be permitted to qualify for the boys team(s) in that sport, nor shall boys be permitted to qualify for the girls team(s) in that sport. (3) Girls Team Whenever the school provides only a team or teams for girls in a particular sport, boys shall not be permitted to qualify for the girls team in that sport unless opportunities in the total sports program for boys in the school have been limited in comparison to the total sports program for the girls in that school. Permission for boys to qualify for a girls team must be secured through petition by the school principal to the Federated Council. (4) Mixed Team (Coed) Whenever the school provides a mixed or coed team in a sport in which the game rules designate either a certain number of team participants from each sex or contains an event that designates a certain number of participants from each sex, boys shall not be permitted to qualify for the girls positions on the mixed team nor shall girls be permitted to qualify for the boys positions on the mixed team. C. Limitations If a boys team is created in a sport after a boy has competed on a student team [See B.(3) above] that boy must compete on the boys team in that sport. If a girls team is created in a sport after a girl has competed on a boys team or student team [See B.(2) above] in that sport, that girl must compete on the girls team. (Approved May 1997 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION52 D. Gender Identity Participation Participation in interscholastic athletics is a valuable part of the educational experience for all students. All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records. (Approved February 2013 Federated Council/Editorial May 2022)
3204 — BOYS VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01A State Championship will be held following the CIF Regional Championship. The Regional Champions will compete for the State Championship. (Approved April 2024 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION86 ARTICLE 330 WATER POLO 3300. CLOCKS It is recommended, but not required, that clocks used in conducting water polo contests be visible to the participants.
34 — POWERS AND DUTIES OF FEDERATED COUNCIL
Effective 2026-07-01A. Determine the credentials of its own membership. B. Exercise jurisdiction over all interscholastic athletic games, events and meets involving CIF member schools. The Federated Council delegates jurisdiction to each CIF Section for all interscholastic athletic games, events and meets in which only CIF member schools of that particular Section participate. C. Govern State and Regional California Interscholastic Federation playoff contests. (1) Determine time and place. (2) Prescribe conditions and provide for appointment of officials. (3) Define expected duties of contest officials. [C.(2-3)] Approved May 1997 Federated Council) D. Establish and enforce penalties for any violation of the Constitution and Bylaws or other rules of the Federation. Schools, leagues and Sections may establish and enforce penalties, provided that such penalties are not in conflict with penalties that have been established by higher authority. (See Article 2-23 for order of descending jurisdiction) E Determine which athletic activities shall be conducted by the Federation. F. Prescribe ways and means by which standards of eligibility shall be met. G. Elect its own officers. H. Institute and conduct impeachment of officers of the Federation or Sections thereof. I. For any matter of appeal not covered in the Constitution and Bylaws, an appeal to the Federated Council will be heard by the Council’s appeals committee, a three (3)-person committee, selected by the Council President from a standing appeals committee of seven (7) Federated Council members appointed annually by the President of the Federated Council. The decision of this committee is final and will be reported to the Federated Council at its next meeting following the resolution of the appeal. J. Award Life Passes to its members after three (3) years of service. (Revised January 2008 Federated Council) ARTICLE 4 MEETINGS 40. SCHEDULE FOR FEDERATED COUNCIL The Federated Council shall hold three (3) meetings annually unless the adopted budget should require, in the judgment of the Executive Committee and the Executive Director, the elimination of one (1) meeting annually. Any change in the Federated Council meeting schedule, which results in the elimination of a meeting, shall be approved by the Council. (Revised February 1999 Federated Council)
44 — MEETINGS AT LEAGUE, SECTION AND STATE LEVELS
Effective 2026-07-01All league, Section and State meetings, excluding CIF and CIF Section appeal hearings of student eligibility, Section playoffs or appeal hearings involving matters other than student eligibility or Section playoffs, pursuant to Bylaws 1100- 1103, are subject to the notice and hearing requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.). (Approved October 2000 Federated Council/Revised May 2003 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION22 ARTICLE 5 FINANCES 50. REIMBURSEMENT Consistent with approved policy, some or all of the expenses of each member of the Federated Council and Section Commissioners may be reimbursed by the Federation for attending meetings of the Council. 51. ASSESSMENT The expenses of the Federated Council shall be met by an assessment levied upon each Section at the beginning of the school year. A. Failure to Pay CIF Assessments After a reasonable number of requests from the Executive Director’s office, schools that continue to be delinquent with financial assessments after January 1 will be immediately notified of CIF membership suspension effective January 21. Reinstatement of membership will be made upon receipt of assessment that must include all past due and interest charges. Reinstated schools will not be allowed to host any Regional or State playoff contest in any sport for a period of one (1) year from the time of sanction. (Approved May 2009 Federated Council)
508 — DONATED EQUIPMENT
Effective 2026-07-01Schools, teams and/or individuals associated with interscholastic athletics which are under the control of school governing boards are prohibited from accepting a donation of any and all athletic equipment of any description or any and all apparel of any description which is associated with interscholastic athletics except as provided for by Education Code Section 41032(a) et seq. In the case of private schools, such donations must be accepted by resolution of the governing authority of such private school.
605 — PROFESSIONAL TRYOUT
Effective 2026-07-01A student shall become ineligible for CIF competition if he/she participates in any tryout for a professional team in any CIF- approved sport during the high school season of sport. The season of sport for a school is that period of time that elapses between the first interscholastic contest and the final contest in that particular sport. NOTE: See Bylaw 1200 for CIF-approved sports. (Revised May 2009 Federated Council) Q: May a student participate in an invitation only practice, ID camp, or clinic sponsored, co-sponsored, or involving a professional sports team/organization during their high school season of sport? (See Individual Student Season of Sport Definition in Bylaw 504.A.) A: No. A student may not participate in an invitation only practice, ID camp, or clinic sponsored, co-sponsored, or involving a professional sports team/organization during the high school season of sport. Q: May a student participate in a camp, sponsored, co-sponsored, or involving a professional sports team/organization dur- ing the high school season of sport if that camp is open to all students and community members? A: Yes. A student may participate in a camp, sponsored, co-sponsored, or involving a professional sports team/organization during the high school season of sport if the camp is open to all students and community members. (Editorial April 2024) ARTICLE 70 SANCTIONED EVENTS 700. PARTICIPATION All competition in CIF-approved sports, in which high school students participate as representatives of their high schools, shall be conducted under the auspices of a CIF member high school, CIF league or Section, and with the approval, if necessary, of the CIF and the National Federation (See Bylaws 703-705). Only students enrolled in, and teams representing, CIF member high schools or otherwise approved schools (See Bylaws 502 and 703-705) may participate in such athletic competition. (Revised May 2003 Federated Council)
Age
103 — WEIGHTED VOTING
Effective 2026-07-01A. Votes cast at any Federated Council meeting shall be determined according to a weighted voting system. CIF Section votes shall be based upon: (1) One (1) vote per 0-25 member schools; Plus (2) One (1) vote per 0-25,000 students enrolled in the Section. B. The Southern Section shall have weighted votes equal to double the second largest Section. C. The composition of member schools and enrollment shall be reviewed every year based upon the prior year’s CBEDS enrollment and adjusted accordingly. (Revised May 2000 Federated Council) D. Weighted votes on the Federated Council shall be allocated as follows: Central 14, Central Coast 14, Los Angeles 14, North Coast 15, Northern 5, Oakland 3, Sac-Joaquin 19, San Diego 13, San Francisco 2, Southern 38, State Department of Education 1, President 1, President-Elect 1, Past-President 1, California Coaches Association 1, California School Boards Association 1, Association of California School Administrators 1, California Superintendents Liaison Committee 1, California State Athletic Directors Association 1, California Association of Private School Organizations 1, California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 1, California Activities Directors Association 1 (Total 149). NOTE: The number of votes approved for each Section at the Federated Council will be determined each school year in the Spring and any necessary adjustments in the number of votes become effective in the first regular meeting of the following school year. 104. AGENDAS A. CIF State agendas will be posted for public inspection at the CIF State Office and each CIF Section Office for at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. B. CIF Section agendas will be posted for public inspection at the respective CIF Section Office for at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. C. The CIF State and each CIF Section shall notify media outlets that service its respective area of its schedule of meetings for the year, and the times and locations where its agenda will be posted. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 27 NOTE: In accordance with Section 33353 of the Education Code, meetings of the CIF are subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.). A guide to the conduct of these meetings, written by the CIF General Counsel, can be found on the CIF website (www.cifstate.org). This guide applies to State meetings as well as to meetings of the Sections and leagues but does not apply to State and Section appeal hearings involving student eligibility, Section playoffs or appeal hearings of matters other than student eligibility or Section playoffs, pursuant to Bylaws 1100-1103. 105. REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH CIF RULE The membership of any school, league or other subordinate unit of the CIF, which has willfully refused to comply with a rule, policy or principle of the CIF, shall be suspended, thereby denying CIF competition to such school, league or subordinate unit, until the school, league or subordinate unit achieves compliance with the rule, policy or principle. The imposition of the suspension called for in this Bylaw may be temporarily suspended at the discretion of the Executive Director provided that the school, league or subordinate unit is (1) making a good faith effort to come into compliance with the rule, policy or principle in question and (2) provides assurances that it will be in full compliance by a certain date which is acceptable to the Executive Director. The membership of any school, league or other subordinate unit of the CIF which has willfully refused to comply with a rule, policy or principle of the CIF, and which fails to undertake efforts to come into compliance, or to come into compliance within a reasonable time after being notified of such non-compliance, shall be revoked. (Approved May 2001 Federated Council) ARTICLE 20 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (200 Series revised: May 2007 Federated Council/May 2012 Federated Council) NOTE: CIF provides questions and answers throughout Article 20 as a guide for parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and school personnel to aid them in understanding the intent and application of some of our Bylaws. Many situations are unique and not every specific situation can be covered in the language of these Bylaws or in every Q & A.
1102 — STATE REVIEW PROCEDURE OF SECTION APPEAL PANEL DECISIONS
Effective 2026-07-01Reviews of final decisions determined through the Section appeals procedure concerning student eligibility involving requests for waiver of the age requirement, waiver of a charged semester of attendance and/or waiver of the requirement to pass 20 semester credits of work may be presented to the Executive Director after the Section decision has been made in accordance with the following, if the appellant believes that the Section violated one (1) or more of the following procedural guidelines: A. Was the Section’s decision or action lawful; i.e., did the decision or action violate Title V, the Education Code, etc. and did it extend appropriate due process to the parties? B. Was the Section’s decision or action fraudulent? C. Did the Section act arbitrarily? (1) Did the Section have rules and criteria by which it reached its decision? (2) Were the Section’s rules and criteria reasonable; i.e., do the Section’s rules reasonably relate to a legitimate objective? (3) Did the Section follow its own rules and criteria? CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION76 (4) Does the Section’s action or decision have a basis in reason, or in other words, a reasonable basis? The test to be employed in the application of these criteria is whether responsible people, acting in a thoughtful manner, could reasonably have reached the same decision as the Section and not whether others might personally agree with the decision. The Executive Director, upon receiving such an request, may review the Section’s decision based on the above guidelines to determine whether its action was a violation of any of the above. If, in his or her judgment, this is the case, the Executive Director may return this matter to the Section for further review, or, if necessary, set aside the decision and take jurisdiction consistent with Bylaw 1109.A. D. Dates and Deadlines for CIF Student Eligibility Requst for Review (1) A request for review to the Executive Director, under this Bylaw, must be initiated within 30 calendar days after a written notice of a Section’s decision denying eligibility is sent (by postmarked mail) to the affected party. (2) If the affected party fails to file the request for review within the 30-calendar day period, the Executive Director will not review the request and the Section’s decision, denying eligibility, shall be final. (3) If the request for review is filed within the 30-business day period, the Executive Director will send notice of the receipt of the request for review, within 10 calendar days after receipt, to the Section, and to the affected party. The notice to the Section shall include all documents filed by the affected party. (4) The Section may file a response to the request for review within 15 business days after receiving the notice of request for review. The response shall be served on the affected party. The affected party may have five (5) business days to file a reply with the Executive Director. (5) A written decision of the Executive Director shall be sent to the Section and affected party within 15 business days of receipt of the final reply. (Revised May 2007 Federated Council/Editorial April 2025)
1103 — SECTION APPEALS PROCEDURES INVOLVING MATTERS OTHER THAN STUDENT ELIGIBILITY OR
Effective 2026-07-01SECTION PLAYOFFS In the final Section determination of rules questions other than student eligibility or Section playoffs, each Section shall establish appellate procedures, which incorporate the following requirements: A. Upon written appeal, the Section shall cause a hearing body to be convened. The body shall be empowered to hear the matter under consideration and rule on the matter at hand; B. Sections shall publish appeal procedures and provide appropriate due process for schools engaged in any appeal under the Section and/or State Bylaws; C. Sections shall provide for timely notice of appeals, time schedule of such appeals, and written notice for determination of the matter being appealed; D. Section appellate procedures shall allow for written and verbal presentations by the appellant to hearing bodies and testimony by knowledgeable parties.
12 — CIF OPERATING PRINCIPLES/PURSUING VICTORY WITH HONOR
Effective 2026-07-01sm The CIF Operating Principles are the 16 Principles of the Pursuing Victory with Honor sm program as follows: A. The essential elements of character building and ethics in CIF sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six (6) core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these six pillars of character; B. It’s the duty of school boards, superintendents, school administrators, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and school sports leadership (including coaches, athletic administrators, program directors and game officials) to promote sportsmanship and foster good character by teaching, enforcing, advocating and modeling these six pillars of character; C. To promote sportsmanship and foster the development of good character, school sports programs must be conducted in a manner that enhances the academic, emotional, social, physical and ethical development of student-athletes and teaches them positive life skills that will help them become personally successful and socially responsible; D. Participation in school sports programs is a privilege, not a right. To earn that privilege, student-athletes must abide by the rules and they must conduct themselves, on and off the field, as positive role models who exemplify good character; E. School boards, superintendents, school administrators, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and school sports leadership shall establish standards for participation by adopting and enforcing codes of conduct for coaches, athletes, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and spectators; F. All participants in high school sports must consistently demonstrate and demand scrupulous integrity and observe and enforce the spirit as well as the letter of the rules; G. The importance of character, ethics and sportsmanship should be emphasized in all communications directed to student-athletes and their parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver; CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION14 H. School boards, superintendents, school administrators, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and school sports leadership must ensure that the first priority of their student-athletes is a serious commitment to getting an education and developing the academic skills and character to succeed; I. School boards, superintendents, principals, school administrators and everyone involved at any level of governance in the CIF must maintain ultimate responsibility for the quality and integrity of CIF programs. Such individuals must assure that education and character development responsibilities are not compromised to achieve sports performance goals and that the academic, social, emotional, physical and ethical well-being of student- athletes is always placed above desires and pressures to win; J. All employees of member schools must be directly involved and committed to the academic success of student- athletes and the character-building goals of the school; K. Everyone involved in competition including parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, spectators, associated student body leaders, and all auxiliary groups have a duty to honor the traditions of the sport and to treat other participants with respect. Coaches have a special responsibility to model respectful behavior and the duty to demand that their student-athletes refrain from disrespectful conduct including verbal abuse of opponents and officials, profane or belligerent trash-talking, taunting and inappropriate celebrations; L. School boards, superintendents and school administrators of CIF member schools must ensure that coaches, whether paid or voluntary, are competent to coach. Training or experience may determine minimal competence. These competencies include basic knowledge of: (1) The character building aspects of sports, including techniques and methods of teaching and reinforcing the core values comprising sportsmanship and good character; (2) The physical capabilities and limitations of the age group coached as well as first aid; AND (3) Coaching principles and the rules and strategies of the sport. M. Because of the powerful potential of sports as a vehicle for positive personal growth, a broad spectrum of school sports experiences should be made available to all of our diverse communities; N. To safeguard the health of athletes and the integrity of the sport, school sports programs must actively prohibit the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and performance-enhancing substances, as well as demand compliance with all laws and regulations, including those related to gambling and the use of drugs; Q: Is vaping allowed? A: No. O. Schools that offer athletic programs must safeguard the integrity of their programs. Commercial relationships should be continually monitored to ensure against inappropriate exploitation of the school’s name or reputation. There should be no undue influence of commercial interests. In addition, sports programs must be prudent, avoiding undue dependency on particular companies or sponsors; P. The profession of coaching is a profession of teaching. Along with the mental and physical dimensions of their sport, coaches, through word and example, must also strive to build the character of their athletes by teaching them to be trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, caring and good citizens. (Approved February 2002 Federated Council)
1204 — UNIFORM RULE EXCEPTIONS
Effective 2026-07-01In the case of manufacturer’s error, the Section Commissioner is authorized to waive National Federation rules, allowing exceptions as necessary within the spirit of the National Federation rules. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION78 1205. UNIFORM ATTACHMENTS All uniform attachments are prohibited by Federated Council action except where provisions are allowed under National Federation rules. 1206. MAXIMUM CONTACTS A. Starting Dates for Practice Sections shall determine the first day of practice in all sports. B. Scrimmages A scrimmage is defined as: (1) An activity involving teams or individual student-athletes from two or more different schools in a CIF approved sport; AND (2) Where no official score is kept; AND (3) Where regulation time is not kept; AND (4) Where substitute rules are set aside; AND (5) Where coaches may stop play for instructional purposes: AND (6) Where no score / results are released to the media. NOTE: See also Bylaw 503.M. C. Number of Scrimmages A maximum of two (2) scrimmages per sport are permissible prior to the first interscholastic contest (league or non-league) of the season, except in Football which is limited to one (1) scrimmage. Scrimmages shall not count in the team or individual maximum number of contacts, unless it is held after the team’s first interscholastic contest. NOTE: See also Bylaws 503.M. and 2202. D. Allowable Number of Contacts Sections shall determine the maximum number of allowable contacts. Sections, however, for sports culminating in a Regional or State Championship may not set a limit higher than: Baseball 28 Basketball 28 Badminton 24 Cross Country 14 Football 10 Golf 24 Soccer 28 Softball 28 Swimming 14 Tennis 24 Track and Field 14 Volleyball 28 Water Polo 28 Wrestling 40 (see Bylaw 3401) The maximum number of allowable contacts is in effect for teams during the regular season. The maximum number of allowable contacts does not include Section Foundation or Scholarship Games, League culminating tournament, Section, Regional or State Championships. Tournaments Baseball One (1) contact for each game. Basketball One (1) contact for each game. Golf Tournaments count as one (1) contact per day. Soccer One (1) contact for each match. Softball One (1) contact for each game. Tennis One (1) contact for each match. Volleyball One (1) Day Tournament counts as two (2) contacts. Two (2) Day Tournament counts as three (3) contacts. Water Polo One (1) contact for each game. (Approved January 2018 Federated Council/Revised February 2021 Federated Council) Q: How many contacts does a consecutive three-day volleyball event count? A: Three consecutive days equals four contacts. NOTE: Please consult your local CIF Section Office with any questions about tournament formats not listed above. (Editorial May 2020) ARTICLE 130 BOXING The 1300 Series has been incorporated into Bylaw 1200. (Revised May 2008 Federated Council) 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 79 ARTICLE 140 BADMINTON
14 — NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Effective 2026-07-01It is the policy of the CIF not to discriminate on the basis of disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation in its athletic programs and related activities, in the employment of personnel, or in the selection of delegates to the Federated Council, committee members, officers or other such positions. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 15 ARTICLE 2 JURISDICTION 20. SECTIONS The CIF shall consist of Sections, one of which shall be the CIF, and remainder of which shall be those geographic Sections as may be created by the Federated Council. The geographical Sections, with their representatives on the Federated Council, are: Central (2), Central Coast (2), Los Angeles (2), North Coast (2), Northern (2), Oakland (1), Sac-Joaquin (2), San Diego (2), San Francisco (1), and Southern (4). Any Section which does not have a woman on the Federated Council as a regular representative shall select a woman as an additional representative. Section votes shall be divided equally among its representatives. All Sections consisting of more than two (2) districts shall have a superintendent (deputy, associate, assistant superintendent) as a voting member of their governing board. Each Section shall make an attempt to have their governing body reflect the ethnic and gender population it represents (See Article 3-31). Any Section or Allied Organization which has an even number of representatives on the Federated Council shall have gender balance. The number of votes approved for each Section at the Federated Council will be determined every year in the Spring and any necessary adjustments in the number of votes become effective in the first regular meeting of the following school year. Any Section or Allied Organization which has an odd number of representatives on the Federated Council shall achieve gender balance as closely as possible, unless the Allied Organization has only a single representative. Any Section of more than two (2) districts shall have a school board member as a voting member of its governing board. In a Section where a Board of Managers is comprised of superintendents of all constituent school districts, the school board member may serve as a voting member of the Board of Managers or another Section governance body in accord with Section provisions. (Approved November 1996 Federated Council/Revised May 1998 Federated Council/Revised May 2000 Federated Council/ Revised October 2001 Federated Council) NOTE: Hereinafter, the term “Section” shall refer only to geographic Sections.
203 — AGE REQUIREMENT
Effective 2026-07-01A student whose 19 th birthday is attained prior to June 15 shall not participate or practice on any team in the following school year. A student whose 19 th birthday is on or before June 14 is ineligible. Each Section may waive this provision so long as criteria for such a waiver shall include, but not be limited to, the following: A. Such a waiver would not grant more than four (4) years [eight (8) semesters] of eligibility; AND B. Such a waiver would not grant more than four (4) years of participation in any sport; AND C. That a hardship exists which, in the judgment of the Section, requires a waiver. Hardship is defined in Bylaw 213; AND D. A decision to deny such a waiver by the Section Commissioner may be appealed only to the Section and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Bylaw 1101. 204. EIGHT (8) CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS REQUIREMENT- See also 201.A.(2) A. Definition of a Semester of Attendance Once a student attends a class and is continuously enrolled for 15 school days in the 9 th grade, and/or has taken classes subsequent to the completion of the 8 th grade, at any school or has played in an interscholastic athletic contest, the CIF will count that as the student’s first semester of high school eligibility. (Revised January 2016 Federated Council) B. Eight (8) Consecutive Semester Rule A student who first enters the 9 th grade of any school following the student’s completion of the 8 th grade in any school may be eligible for athletic competition during a maximum period of time that is not to exceed eight (8) consecutive semesters following the initial enrollment in the 9 th grade of any school and/or in any classes taken subsequent to the completion of the 8 th grade, whether or not the student is enrolled in school, whether or not the student is academically or otherwise eligible and whether or not the student avails themselves of the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports during this time. Eligibility is only available during the student’s first eight (8) consecutive semesters of enrollment in high school (grades 9-12). Q: My daughter suffered a serious knee injury causing her to miss the entire volleyball season in her junior year. May I request a waiver of the limitation of eight consecutive semesters of eligibility? A: No. An injury is not a reason for granting a waiver of this rule. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION32 C. Section Waivers (1) Waiving Semester Limitation Each Section may, at its discretion, establish rules and procedures for waiving the limitation on eight (8) semesters of eligibility, providing: a. The student is required by the student’s school principal to return to grade eight (8) from grade nine (9) and the student did not take part in an interscholastic contest while in the 9 th grade for the first time; OR b. The student, because of mid-year completion of an 8 th grade or a mid-year completion of the 9 th grade in a junior high school, is required by the student’s school principal to repeat a semester of work in order to conform to a school program having annual terms; AND c. The student has not taken part in an interscholastic athletic contest while enrolled for the first time in the semester which the student’s school principal required the student to repeat. (2) Waivers of the Charge of a Semester of Attendance a. Other than C.(1) above, relief under this rule may only be granted when the conditions set forth in Bylaw 204.C.(2)b. below are found to be present. Any other past rationales or basis for relief under this Bylaw are invalidated. (Approved May 2001 Federated Council) b. Each Section may waive the charge of one (1) or more of the eight (8) consecutive semesters of eligibility for athletic competition due to a hardship condition that causes the student’s absence from school or to extend the student’s attendance in school beyond eight (8) consecutive semesters, provided: (i) That a hardship condition exists that, in the judgment of the Section, warrants a waiver. Hardship is defined in Bylaw 213; AND (ii) The hardship caused the student to remain out of school for more than half of any semester during his/her high school career; OR (iii) The hardship is the direct and sole cause of the student extending his/her attendance beyond eight (8) consecutive semesters even though the student was in attendance for those eight (8) consecutive semesters. Further, the student’s extension of his/her attendance beyond eight (8) semesters has no athletic motivation; AND (iv) That the student was eligible under all rules in the semester immediately prior to either his/her absence or the onset of the hardship condition that is the direct and sole cause for extending his/her attendance beyond eight (8) semesters; AND or the student is or was homeless or in foster care, and his/her status as a foster or homeless youth is the sole and direct cause for seeking a waiver of the charge of a semester of attendance and the student meets all other eligibility requirements unrelated to his/ her status as a foster or homeless youth; AND (Revised April 2016 Federated Council) (v) Such a waiver would not grant more than four (4) years of participation in any sport; (See Bylaw 504.K. and 504.L.); AND (vi) Hardship applications may not be submitted prior to the conclusion of the student’s 7 th semester in high school. (3) All other eligibility requirements apply. (4) APPEALS: A decision to deny such a waiver by the Section Commissioner may be appealed only to the Section and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Bylaw 1101.
210 — PHYSICAL ASSAULT OF A GAME OR EVENT OFFICIAL
Effective 2026-07-01A. Student Any student who physically assaults the person of a game or event official shall be banned from interscholastic athletics for the remainder of the student’s eligibility. A game or event official is defined as a referee, umpire or any other official assigned to interpret or enforce rules of competition at an event or contest. A student may, after a lapse of 18 calendar months from the date of incident, apply for reinstatement of eligibility to the CIF State Executive Director. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION48 B. Coach Any coach who physically assaults the person of a game or event official shall be considered to have violated Bylaw 22 (Conditions of Membership) and, pending action by the building principal, subjects the member school to sanctions or loss of standing as a member. When a coach allegedly assaults a person of a game or event official it is mandatory that the principal/designee notify the CIF Section Office within 48 hours (excluding holidays and weekends) after the receipt of the assault report notification. The competing schools and officials will be required to file written reports within 10 days of the incident. After reviewing the material, the principal of the school involved will be required to respond to the respective CIF Section Office concerning his/her investigation of the incident. C. Spectator Any spectator who physically assaults the person of a game or event official immediately prior to, during, or immediately following an interscholastic athletic contest shall be permanently banned from attending interscholastic athletic contests. A game or event official is defined as a referee, umpire or any other official assigned to interpret or enforce rules of competition at an event or contest. School administration and/or athletic staff shall immediately notify their local CIF Section Office and CIF State Office whenever the school has knowledge of an assault on a game official associated with an interscholastic event in which their school participated or of an assault occurring on their school’s grounds associated with an interscholastic athletic contest. NOTE #1: Definition of a Physical Assault: A physical assault is the intentional infliction of or an attempt to inflict a harmful or offensive touching or contact upon the person of an official. Note that the rule is violated even if no contact is made with the person of an official. Such conduct shall include verbal threats and/or intimidation either or before, during or after the contest. All that is required is the “attempt.” However, the act constituting the attempt must be accompanied by a specific intent, which may be inferred from the circumstances and nature of the act, to inflict a harmful or offensive touching contact of the official’s person. NOTE #2: A person assaulting a sports official may also be subject to California Penal Code 243.8 which states the following: (a) When a battery is committed against a sports official immediately prior to, during, or immediately following an interscholastic, intercollegiate, or any other organized amateur or professional athletic contest in which the sports official is participating, and the person who commits the offense knows or reasonably should know that the victim is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, the offense shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) For purposes of this section, "sports official" means any individual who serves as a referee, umpire, linesman, or who serves in a similar capacity but may be known by a different title or name and is duly registered by, or a member of, a local, state, regional, or national organization engaged in part in providing education and training to sports officials. (Approved May 2009 Federated Council/Revised October 2022 Federated Council)
2200 — AGE REQUIREMENT
Effective 2026-07-01A student under 15 years of age may not participate in an interscholastic contest or scrimmage against the varsity team of another school. This Bylaw may be waived by Section action provided the Section adopts criteria for such a waiver which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: A. Participant must be at least 14 years of age; B. A signed consent statement from the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, allowing participation at the varsity level; 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 83 C. A statement from the head coach that the student-athlete has the physical and mental maturity to compete at the varsity level; D. A statement of compliance must be forwarded by the principal to the respective Section Office verifying that all required documentation has been completed and is on file in the appropriate school office. (Revised May 2000 Federated Council/Revised March 2004 Executive Committee/Revised April 2019 Federated Council) 2201. NUMBER OF FOOTBALL PRACTICE DAYS; NO SUNDAY PRACTICE; TEAM CAMPS/OTHER OFF-SEASON ACTIVITIES A. There shall be no football games until the team has had 14 days of practice before the first game. Each individual student on the team must have had at least 10 days of practice before being allowed to compete in a game. (The opening date of football practice may be determined by each Section.) No Sunday practice is permitted (See Bylaw 504.M. for exception). B. Football teams are limited to two days per week of full contact practice, with no more than 45 minutes of full contact on each of those days during the season of sport. For purposes of this Bylaw, each team’s season of sport is defined as the first day of practice, as allowed by the Section, until the final contest for the team. All full contact practices are prohibited in the off-season which includes team camps. Full contact practice is defined by state statute as a practice where drills or live action is conducted that involves collisions at game speed where players execute tackles and other activity that is typical of an actual tackle football game. For the purposes of this Bylaw, refer to the definition of Live Action as defined by USA Football. (Revised April 2018 Federated Council) C. Team camps and other off-season activities are allowable with the following equipment only: footballs, bags, blocking sleds and football shoes. (Approved April 2015 Federated Council) NOTE: For policies related to definition of full-contact and allowable in-season, off-season and team camp activities please consult the football section in the blue pages and local Section Bylaws.
2202 — SCRIMMAGE LIMITATIONS
Effective 2026-07-01No individual student shall participate in an interscholastic scrimmage before his/her 10 th day of practice for that particular school. Scrimmage is defined as practice where the teams alternate in carrying the ball, downs are not counted, no score is kept and the coaches are on the field directing play.
2900 — STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01State Swimming and Diving Championships will be conducted in the Spring. NOTE: For related policies please consult the swimming and diving section in the Blue Pages. (Approved February 2014 Federated Council) 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 85 ARTICLE 300 TENNIS
31 — REPRESENTATION REFLECTING THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE STATE AND SECTION
Effective 2026-07-01A. Any CIF Section which does not have at least one (1) regular representative of an ethnic or racial minority group found in the demographics of the Section’s student population shall select an additional representative who is a member of an ethnic or racial minority group found in the demographics of the Section’s student population. The Section’s number of votes shall continue to be based upon the weighted voting formula; however, the votes shall be split equally amongst the voting representatives. The expenses of the additional delegate shall be paid by the CIF consistent with the expense formula for all other Section representatives to the Federated Council. B. Each CIF Section and Allied Organization shall send representative(s) to the Federated Council which is reflective of the student demographics within the Section and will include at least one (1) representative of an ethnic or racial minority group found in the demographics of the Section’s student population. (Approved May 1997 Federated Council) 32. CRITERIA FOR ALLIED ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP ON THE FEDERATED COUNCIL Each Allied Organization represented on the Federated Council shall: A. Be composed of a membership, in which the majority has direct responsibility or legislative responsibility for interscholastic athletics; B. Be able to demonstrate statewide representation; C. Be able to define its constituency which will include, but not be limited to, the number of interscholastic athletes it represents, the number of members that have direct or legislative responsibility for interscholastic athletics, the number of schools represented which participate in CIF activities; D. Have the capacity to select representatives to the Federated Council that reflect our State’s student gender and ethnic make-up; E. Be able to demonstrate that its representative has a viable system of communication to its members within its organization including but not limited to: (1) Conduct meetings, hearings and decision making involving the CIF, interscholastic athletics and/or other legislative matters in open session with a view to transparency, providing opportunity for membership/ public input reflecting the intention of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et.seq.); (2) Validate the viable system of communication by showing agenda, minutes and membership present when decisions were made regarding CIF, interscholastic athletics and/or legislative decisions that impact CIF and/or interscholastic athletics; (3) Submit as part of the request for inclusion all documentation of communications made by the organization regarding CIF philosophy, policies and procedures that has been forwarded to their membership; (4) Submit as part of the request for inclusion all documentation of communications received from their membership regarding any CIF philosophy, policies and procedures. F. Have a commitment to providing educational opportunities for students through interscholastic athletics. Prior to being formally accepted as an Allied Organization, each interested group, including those presently represented on the Federated Council, shall complete a Request for Inclusion application. An organization’s request for inclusion on the Federated Council as an Allied Organization must be submitted to the Executive Director by January 15 of the school year prior to the desired effective date of inclusion. The request will be reviewed by a membership committee designated by the Executive Committee. A recommendation by the membership committee for approval or disapproval of the Request for Inclusion will be made to the Executive Committee by March 15 and action on the Request for Inclusion will be scheduled for the Spring meeting of the Federated Council. If an Allied Organization is approved for membership, the organization is approved for a four-year renewable term, unless the organization should, during the four (4) year term, no longer meet the criteria for membership and inclusion as defined by the Federated Council. (Approved May 1997 Federated Council/Revised November 2009 Federated Council/Revised April 2017 Federated Council)
3100 — EXHIBITION EVENTS
Effective 2026-07-01Exhibition events may be staged by the host Section, if approved by the Federated Council, using athletes from that Section only. The javelin event, hammer throw and steeplechase are not to be conducted in CIF track and field competition.
3102 — AT-LARGE ENTRIES
Effective 2026-07-01An athlete shall earn an at-large entry into the State Championship if his/her mark at the final Section competition (which qualifies entrants to the State Championship) is equal to or better than the average of the ninth-place qualifying marks to the State Championship Finals from the three (3) most recent years. (Approved May 2000 Federated Council) ARTICLE 320 VOLLEYBALL 3200. RALLY SCORING A. Rally scoring shall be utilized for all rounds of the State Volleyball Championships. All games shall be played to 25 points, and the fifth and deciding game shall be played to 15 points. B. Rally scoring shall be utilized for all volleyball contests at the varsity level for all Sections. All games shall be played to 25 points, and the fifth and deciding game shall be played to 15 points. C. Rally scoring shall be utilized for all sub-varsity volleyball contests for all Sections. All games shall be played to 25 points with the deciding game played to 15 points. (Approved May 2003 Federated Council) 3201. OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council/Editorial May 2023) 3202. GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Girls Regional and State Championships will be held following the completion of Section playoffs. The CIF Seeding Committee will determine the divisional placement of the Section entries for their respective regional tournament. NOTE: Sections still determine their own criteria for placement and seeding of schools within their own local playoff system. (Approved May 2001 Federated Council/Revised June 2002 Executive Committee/Revised May 2005 Executive Committee/Revised May 2008 Federated Council/Revised May 2014 Federated Council/Revised October 2015 Federated Council/Revised May 2016 Federated Council/Revised April 2017 Federated Council)
502 — NON-CIF MEMBER SCHOOL/CLUB TEAMS
Effective 2026-07-01A. CIF member schools shall only compete with other member schools of the CIF and/or schools who are members of another state association/federation who are eligible to participate in their respective state association/federation playoffs (see Bylaw 705 for International Competition). Q: May a CIF member school compete with a school that is a member of their state association and eligible to compete in their state playoffs but has consistently elected to not participate in their state’s postseason events when qualified to do so? A: No. The intent of CIF Bylaw 502.A. is for CIF member schools to compete with high schools who fully participate in all regular season and post season opportunities afforded to them by their own state association. (Editorial January 2024) B. No school belonging to the CIF shall compete, scrimmage or practice with any team outside the jurisdiction of the CIF without the consent of the CIF Section involved. A school disregarding this rule may be suspended from participation in that sport as determined by their respective CIF Section. (See Bylaw 511) C. Sections may establish a policy, procedure and requirements for review of applications of CIF member schools wishing to compete with a Non-CIF member. D. If a CIF high school team is approved by their Section to compete against a non-CIF team in any competition, the activity shall be played under the high school rules for that sport. E. High school students or teams shall not compete or practice against other individuals or teams in football or wrestling unless the players or such teams meet the age requirements of the CIF. High school students or teams shall not compete or practice against other individuals or outside/club teams unless the individual players and the individuals on the outside/club team meet the age requirements of the CIF. F. In order to grant athletic opportunities to students who attend schools that for a limited amount of time cannot offer a sport, an outside team consisting of students from these schools may be formed and may scrimmage or compete against a CIF member school provided the following: (1) A district board or private school governance board states that a program is not possilbe for a limited time to be designated by the district board or the private school board; (2) A district board or private school governance board requests participation for its students; (3) The league against which these teams plan to compete grants approval prior to Section approval; (4) Approval of the Section is granted; (5) Officials of the requesting school(s) must understand this request is granted for up to a two (2)-year term. An additional term may be granted if all provisions are met; (6) That schools and districts recognize that such outside teams are not granted status as league members nor do they qualify for league, Section or State playoffs or Championships; (7) An administrator of one of the requesting schools agrees to accept responsibility and supervision of the team and agrees that students will meet eligibility requirements expected of students in CIF member schools. (Approved April 2018 Federated Council/Editorial May 2026)
506 — PRACTICE ALLOWANCE
Effective 2026-07-01For the benefit of the physical and mental health of our student-athletes, all practices (as defined herein) under the auspices of the high school athletic program during the season of sport shall be conducted under the following conditions (See also Bylaw 504.M.): A. All teams will be allowed no more than 18 hours of practice time per week and no more than four (4) hours in any single day. (1) Multiple Practice Sessions a. Double day practices shall not be held on consecutive days. b. Must include a minimum of three (3) hours rest between practices. (2) Golf Only a. In the sport of golf only, a team is allowed a maximum of two (2) days per week of 18-hole practice rounds. [Counts as four (4) hours] B. Any competition day would count as three (3) hours toward the allowable weekly and daily practice hours no matter the length of the contest(s). No practice may be held following the conclusion of any contest. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 65 C. Definition of Practice (1) Any school team or individual activity organized by the coach that is intended to maintain or improve a student-athlete’s skill proficiency in a sport; AND/OR (2) Any school team or individual activity that includes skill drills, game situation drills, inter-squad scrimmages or games, weight training, chalk talks, film review, meetings outside of school time (excluding parent meetings) that are implicitly/explicitly required by the coach; AND/OR (3) Any other coach-directed or supervised school team or individual activity or instruction for a specific sport (private, small group or positional instruction, etc.) AND/OR (4) Any other team or individual instruction for a specific sport organized or supervised by any team member, or anyone else associated with the high school athletic program, team or school; AND (5) Outside organization activity (club, etc.), shall not be used to circumvent these Bylaws. D. Other mandatory activities (including, but not limited to study hall, tutorial sessions, team dinners), shall not be considered part of practice time. These activities must be approved by the principal. Activities that would be included herein are exclusive to any activity already covered in C.(1)-(5) above. E. This Bylaw shall not supersede any School/District/Section policies that may be more restrictive. F. Penalties Following the determination of a violation of Bylaw 506, a loss of practice day(s) and/or other sanctions, for each practice session infraction, shall be imposed by the Section as deemed appropriate to the level, extent, and duration of the infraction(s). NOTE: For purposes of this Bylaw, the season of sport begins with each team’s first day of practice. Frequently Asked Questions - (FAQs will continue to be revised as needed and appropriate to assist schools in understanding the implementation of the Bylaw. Schools seeking additional clarification should contact their local CIF Section office.) Q: Our football coach conducts a one (1) hour before school weightlifting activity in the weight room for football players. Does this count in the three (3) hours per school day practice limitation? A: Before school activities that are NOT part of the curricular day are subject to the practice limitations. If the activity is organized and/or directed and/or supervised by any of the football coaching staff and only open to football players then YES, it is considered to be practice and counted in the daily limit. Q: Our football coach conducts a one (1) hour before school Zero Period weightlifting activity in the weight room for football players. Does this count in the daily practice limitation? A: If Zero Period IS considered part of the curricular day then it does not count against the practice duration limitations. Q: We have a one (1) hour (a) before school; (b) zero period; general weight lifting activity in the weight room, advertised to all the athletes in the school who wish to participate. The football coach supervises this activity. While it is advertised to everyone in the school, it is primarily utilized by the football players. Does this count as practice activity in the daily practice duration limitation? A: (a) Before school is not part of the curricular day so activities during this time are subject to practice duration limitations. However, if the activity is a non-sport specific strength program, open to all athletes, it would be considered general conditioning and would not count as part of the practice duration limitations. As long as the school has done their best to advertise and make it open to everyone, and it is not a non-football hostile environment, or is not located in an area where female or other sport athletes do not have access (i.e. access only through the boys locker room), regardless of who attends or who is supervising, the activity would not be considered practice and would not, therefore, count in the daily practice limitation. (b) If Zero period IS considered part of the curricular day then it does not count against the practice duration limitations. Q: A (a) Volleyball or Football; (b) Cross Country; Coach tells their team members “just go for an hour run” as a team (or as individuals) and then meet back in the gym to begin practice. Does that hour of just running count towards the practice duration limitation for that day? A: Yes. This activity done as a team or as an individual and has been implicitly/explicitly required by the coach; directed and/or organized and/or supervised by the coach would count towards the daily practice duration limitations. Q: A Basketball coach tells their team members that they are required to run a minimum number of miles each week on their own for conditioning. Does this count towards the practice duration limitations for any given day? A: Yes, this would be considered an activity under C.(2) and (4) above because it was required and or implied by the coach for his/her basketball team members to participate. If it was not implicitly or explicitly required by the Coach it would not count towards practice duration limitations. Q: The Water Polo Coach establishes a swimming conditioning session (a) before practice each day (b) in the morning before school; (c) during Zero Period; Does this count towards the practice duration limitations for that day? A: (a) Yes, swimming conditioning is directly related to water polo skill development, so this would count towards the daily practice duration limitations. (b) Yes, swimming conditioning is directly related to water polo skill development, so this would count towards the daily practice duration limitation. (c) If Zero Period is considered part of the curricular day it does not count against the practice duration limitations. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION66 Q: A student plays volleyball in the Fall and basketball in the Winter. During the overlap time of those two (2) seasons is a student allowed to practice for four hours per day for volleyball and then another four (4) hours per day for basketball, for a total of eight (8) hours of practice on any given day? A: No. During any season overlap period for any student-athlete, that student-athlete is still limited to a total practice time for both sports not to exceed the daily practice duration limitation [four (4) hours max per day and only 18 hours per week]. Q: A student plays baseball and tennis in the same season of sport. If they have competitions on the same day for both sports how would those hours be counted? A: The total number of hours would be three (3) regardless of the total time of both contests (see Bylaw 506.B.) Q: A student plays two sports in the same season of sport (i.e. softball/track & field in the spring) or in overlapping seasons (i.e. football in the fall and soccer in the winter). If the student has a competition for one of the sports, is the student able to practice with another sport on that same day? A: Yes. A student-athlete may compete in a contest for one team and practice with another team on the same day as long as the student-athlete does not exceed the four (4) hours maximum per day and 18 hours maximum per week in total. For example, a school competition counts as three (3) hours, no matter the actual length of the competition, so the student-athlete would be permitted to practice for one (1) hour with another school team on that same day. (Editorial September 2020) (Approved May 2014 Federated Council) 507. SECTION ALIGNMENT OF LEAGUES Sections that use a two (2) year cycle of alignment shall realign on even years only. Sections that realign every year or upon demand are not to be affected by this rule. Each Section shall allow the formation of cross leagues for schools in which a sport or sports are not available through its immediate league.
600 — COMPETITION ON AN OUTSIDE TEAM
Effective 2026-07-01A student on a high school team becomes ineligible if the student competes in a contest on an “outside” team, in the same sport, during the student’s high school season of sport (See Bylaw 504.A). The following exceptions apply: A. If the outside team has half or more of the team members as stated in the National Federation rules book for that sport, it shall be considered the same sport. Examples: three-on-three basketball---outside team competition prohibited; two-on-two volleyball---outside team competition permitted. B. Flag Football/Slow Pitch Softball For purposes of this rule, touch football, flag football, and slow pitch softball are considered to be different sports than tackle football, and softball respectively. (Editorial Revision May 2017/Editorial Revision May 2021/Editorial Revision May 2022) C. Soccer In the sport of soccer, Bylaw 600 shall be in effect only during the Winter high school soccer season. High school soccer programs that compete during the Fall or Spring season are not subject to Bylaw 600. NOTE: For purposes of this section, indoor soccer and futsal are not considered the same sport as soccer. D. Swimming and Diving Swimmers may compete for an amateur team during the season of sport in the USA Swimming championship meets listed on cifstate.org (Editorial Revision May 2017/Editorial Revision April 2025) E. Bylaw 600 shall not be in effect for those sports conducted outside the CIF State-adopted season of sport (See Bylaw 504.H.). F. Spontaneous Recreational Activity It is permissible for a high school team member to participate in a spontaneous recreational activity or game in which sides or teams are chosen without regard to players representing any group or organization. Such participation would not cause loss of eligibility. (Definition of spontaneous: no prior planning or notice; an unplanned part of another activity which has a primary focus other than the sport.) Q: What is an outside team? A: An outside team is one that is organized through a non-school organization such as, but not limited to, youth teams, community teams, club teams, national teams, park and recreation teams, etc. Q: Is attendance by an individual student-athlete at a non-school practice, camp or clinic considered participation on an outside team if during that sport’s season of sport? A: No. Individual student-athletes may attend a non-school practice, camp or clinic during that sport’s season of sport (unless your school and/or CIF Section has developed a more restrictive rule). Q: May an individual student-athlete compete in a scrimmage or game while attending a non-school practice, camp or clinic during that sport’s season of sport? A: Yes, as long as they are attending that camp as an individual (unless your school and/or CIF Section has developed a more restrictive rule). G. Unattached Competition in Individual Sports (see also Bylaw 215) (1) An unattached athlete shall not represent any team. Points won by the athlete shall not be credited to any team. An unattached athlete shall not use a uniform which identifies a school or “outside” team. Any violation shall be considered an infraction of Bylaw 600. (2) Unattached competition is permissible for a student in other than school contests during the season of sport provided the student enters in the individual sports of badminton (singles and doubles), beach volleyball (pairs), cross country, golf, gymnastics, skiing, swimming and diving (including unattached entry on relays), tennis (singles and doubles), track and field (including unattached entry on relays) and wrestling. (Revised February 2021 Federated Council) (3) Certification of Unattached Athletes No official recognition or certification on the part of the CIF member school or personnel of the CIF member school may be given in order that unattached athletes may participate in contests. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 69 (4) Representation in CIF Competition Unattached competition is not permitted in any CIF competition (See Bylaw 503.D.). Individuals or teams entered in CIF competition must represent a CIF member school. No other form of representation shall be permitted in CIF competition. NOTE: Alpine, Nordic Skiing and Snowboarding are exempt for this Bylaw as the season of sport is not defined and listed under Bylaws 503.D. and 504.H.and that all competitions are done in conjunction with the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. (Revised October 2008 Federated Council) Q: May an athlete compete unattached in a collegiate track meet? A: No. CIF students are not eligible to compete at intercollegiate events (Bylaw 215). Q: What is defined as a collegiate track meet and/or intercollegiate competition? A: A collegiate track meet and/or intercollegiate competition is one in which collegiate athletes are competing for or representing their school. Q: May an athlete compete unattached in “open competition” at a joint sanctioned event? A: No. A high school student who has any eligibility left at a high school shall not participated in any “open competition” event. A high school student may only compete in a high school division comprised of high school student-athletes at these events (Bylaw 702.C.). Q: May an athlete compete unattached in a national governing body event? A: Yes. An athlete may compete unattached in an event such as the heptathlon or decathlon when the National Governing Body of that sport administers the event(s). Q: May an athlete compete unattached in an “open competition” event? A: Yes. Bylaw 600.G. permits unattached competition in individual sports. An athlete may compete unattached in an “Open Competition” event such as a road race, 5k fun run or similar community sponsored event.
602 — PAN-AMERICAN, US PARALYMPICS OR OLYMPIC COMPETITION
Effective 2026-07-01During the high school season of sport, a high school student who has been selected or qualified for participation on the United States team, which will engage in Pan-American, US Paralympics or Olympic competition, may participate on that team. (Revised May 2007 Federated Council/Revised October 2008 Federated Council)
603 — OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Effective 2026-07-01During their high school season of sport, a high school student who has been selected or qualified for an Olympic Development Program (ODP) by the respective National Governing Body for that sport, shall be permitted to participate in such a program without loss of interscholastic eligibility, if the following conditions are met: A. The Olympic Development Program is: (1) Verified as such by the CIF; AND (2) a. Conducted or sponsored by the United States Olympic Committee; OR b. Directly funded and conducted by the U.S. national governing body for the sport on a national level; OR c. Authorized by a national governing body for athletes having potential for future national team participation; AND CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION70 B. The student informs the high school principal at least 30 days prior to participating in the program; AND C. The principal verifies the authenticity of the program; AND D. The student makes prior arrangement to complete missed academic lessons, assignments and tests before the last day of classes of the semester in which the student’s absence occurs. E. This bylaw was written with the intent that only individual student-athletes that have been identified by the respective National Governing Body for that sport, as having Olympic potential, would be eligible for this exemption of Bylaw 600. Individual student-athletes who are members of a club team(s) consisting in whole or part of high school age athletes, participating in any competitions (e.g. Super Y League events, USA Youth Soccer National League, Championships, etc.), even if the competition itself is labeled as an ODP event, that occur during the high school student’s season of sport are not eligible for this exemption. NOTE: It is up to the school and individual(s) participating to confirm that above events have been approved by the CIF (visit www.cifstate.org). (Editorial Revision May 2017) (Revised May 2007 Federated Council)
701 — JOINT SANCTIONING SPONSORSHIP
Effective 2026-07-01Assistance from outside organizations may be secured by the sponsoring high school, but the high school must direct and manage the event, or high school section of an “open division competition” event and be fully responsible. To ensure that high school competition is conducted in accordance with CIF rules, the following guidelines must be followed: A. Any interstate or international event involving two (2) or more schools which is co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside the school community; B. Samples of information bulletins, invitations and entry forms must be submitted for sanctioning approval to the NFHS (See Bylaws 703-705) at www.nfhs.org; C. The host school event manager is responsible for accessing the NFHS online sanctioning page and completing all necessary information and fees; D. Any event program published in connection with a CIF-sanctioned activity must indicate the name of the host high school, league or Section, and that CIF sanction has been issued; E. Management and control of all finances connected with the activity shall remain with the host high school, league or Section. If requested by the CIF Office, a financial statement indicating all high school, league or Section revenues and expenditures must be filed with the CIF Office; F. If the title of a California host event includes the name of an outside organization, the title must be preceded by the name of the sponsoring high school, league or Section. (Approved May 2009 Federated Council) 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 71
702 — ADMINISTRATION OF JOINT SANCTIONED EVENT
Effective 2026-07-01A. If a CIF high school, league or Section sponsors a sanctioned CIF invitational event at the same time and place where an “open division competition” event is being held, the high school competition must be administered by a CIF high school, league or Section. B. The high school event must be limited to entries from CIF member schools whose athletes are eligible under CIF rules. Any other entries must receive the approval of the CIF Office, as specified in Bylaws 703-705. C. A high school student who has any eligibility left at a high school shall not participate in any “open division competition” event. D. The “open division competition” event management is requested not to accept an entry from an ineligible high school student, unless the student has already completed eight (8) semesters of eligibility, or unless the student is beyond CIF age requirements. E. CIF high school event sanction approval will not be issued if a high school student with any remaining eligibility is to be invited to the “open division competition” section of the event. (Approved May 2003 Federated Council) Q: May an athlete compete unattached in a collegiate track meet? A: No. CIF students are not eligible to compete at intercollegiate events (Bylaw 215). Q: What is defined as a collegiate track meet and/or intercollegiate competition? A: A collegiate track meet and/or intercollegiate competition is one in which collegiate athletes are competing for or representing their school. Q: May an athlete compete unattached in “open division competition” at a joint sanctioned event? A: No. A high school student who has any eligibility left at a high school shall not participated in any “open division competition” event. A high school student may only compete in a high school division comprised of high school student-athletes at these events (Bylaw 702.C.). Q: May an athlete compete unattached in a national governing body event? A: Yes. An athlete may compete unattached in an event such as the heptathlon or decathlon when the National Governing Body of that sport administers the event(s). Q: May an athlete compete unattached in an “open division competition” event? A: Yes. Bylaw 600.G. permits unattached competition in individual sports. An athlete may compete unattached in an “open division competition” event such as a road race, 5k fun run of similar community sponsored event.
704 — INTERSTATE COMPETITION
Effective 2026-07-01A. Dual competition (involving two [2] schools only) in CIF-approved sports does not require sanction approval by the CIF and/or National Federation when a CIF member school competes against a member school from another state association; B. All competition in CIF-approved sports, involving any of the following requires a sanction: • Any interstate or international event involving two (2) or more schools which is co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside the school community. • Events in non-bordering states if five (5) or more states are involved. • Events in non-bordering states if more than eight (8) schools are involved. • Any event involving two (2) or more schools that involves a team from a foreign country. The exceptions to this rule are Canada and Mexico which are considered bordering states by the National Federation of High Schools and the California Interscholastic Federation. (1) Host School Procedures In applying for all necessary approval (as described above) of such an event, the host school event manager must access and register and follow all sanctioning deadlines as listed at www.nfhs.org no later than 60 days prior to the event. Completion of the registration, application and appropriate fees can only be completed electronically at www.nfhs.org. Late fees will be assessed for applications filed less than 60 days prior to the event. a. Eligibility of Participants The hosting entity is responsible for submitting, upon request, to its respective Section Office written verification of all of the following. (i) All participants in the event represent only their respective schools of enrollment; AND CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION72 (ii) All participants in the event meet the provisions of the following Bylaws: 203 (Age Requirement); 204 (Eight [8] Semesters); 212 (Amateur Standing); 600 (Outside Teams) and 900 (All-Star Competition); AND (iii) All participants in the event meet the eligibility standards of their respective state and national associations, including, but not limited to, maintaining minimum progress toward meeting the high school graduation requirements as prescribed by their respective governing boards. b. The respective Section Commissioner will indicate his/her action (approval or denial) and, if approved, notify the CIF. c. The CIF, upon receipt and approval of the application, will process the application to the National Federation (if applicable). (2) Traveling School Procedures Schools wishing to travel out-of-state to a school sponsored sanctioned event, should be aware of the following procedures: a. The hosting school event manager is responsible for processing any application which invites California school participation in an out-of-state event involving schools from multiple state associations, in CIF-approved sport competition. b. Upon receipt of the application, the CIF will process the request to Section offices on behalf of the invited schools. c. Following Section action, the CIF will respond to the National Federation application for final approval. NOTE: It is the responsibility of both the host and traveling schools to confirm approval with the National Federation via the NFHS website.
705 — INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Effective 2026-07-01A. Approval of Competition All international high school competition in CIF-approved sports must have the approval of the participating school’s Section Office, and when necessary, the CIF and the National Federation and the sanction of the appropriate international body involved. B. Sanctioning of Qualifying Trials The CIF will not sanction qualifying trials for an individual or team for the purpose of selecting undergraduates for international competition. Such selection must be made on the basis of previous performance of the individual or team. C. Hosting School Procedures In applying for all necessary approvals (as described above) of such an event, the host school event manager must access and register and follow all sanctioning deadlines as listed at www.nfhs.org no later than 60 days prior to the event. Completion of the registration, application and appropriate fees can ONLY be completed electronically at www.nfhs.org. Late fees will be assessed for application filed less than 60 days prior to the event. D. Eligibility of Participants The hosting entity is responsible for submitting, upon request, to its respective Section Office written verification of all of the following: (1) All participants in the event represent only their respective schools of enrollment; AND (2) All participants in the event meet the provisions of the following Bylaws: 203 (Age Requirement), 204 (Eight [8] Semesters), 212 (Amateur Standing), 600 (Outside Teams) and 900 (All-Star Competition); AND (3) All participants in the event meet the eligibility standards of their respective state and national associations, including, but not limited to, maintaining minimum progress toward meeting the high school graduation requirements as prescribed by their respective governing boards. E. Traveling School Procedures Schools wishing to travel internationally to participate in a school sponsored sanctioned event should be aware of the following procedures: (1) Schools traveling internationally to destinations other than to Canada or Mexico must: a. File any paperwork required by their respective Section (2) Schools traveling to all international destinations must submit to its respective Section Office written verification of the eligibility of all participants in the event, as stipulated in Bylaw 705.D. above. NOTE: Consult your Section Office for application deadlines. (Revised November 2009 Federated Council/Editorial Revision May 2014)
82 — FINANCIAL POLICIES
Effective 2026-07-01All funds handled by any of the CIF entities, whether those funds be donations, corporate-sponsored donations, fees or dues, are monies designed for the furtherance and administration of athletics for the students of the schools in California. Adopted principles and policies are generally designed to be consistent with the State law governing schools. The adopted financial policies and regulations apply to all CIF entities (State, Sections and leagues) and to all CIF personnel (staff and elected representatives) unless a specific distinction has been recognized and authorized in writing. An adequately financed program of competitive athletics is essential for California’s youth to receive a well-rounded education. Specific financial policies may be found in the appendices of this publication. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION26 CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION BYLAWS ARTICLE 10 AMENDMENT, DELEGATES AND MEETINGS 100. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS A. These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Federated Council by a majority vote. B. Reconsideration of Council Action In the event action is taken by a majority vote of the Federated Council, and that action is contrary to the unanimous vote of 60 percent of the Sections, the action may be reconsidered through the following procedures: Timeline for Reconsideration (1) Reconsider Notification Within 10-calendar days after the initial vote, the CIF State Office must receive notification of intent to ask for reconsideration. (2) Written materials to Sections Within 30-calendar days after the initial vote, Sections activating the reconsideration process must send out materials to all CIF Sections and the CIF State Office. (3) The amendment will be returned for a vote at the next Federated Council meeting with a simple majority vote needed for passage. (4) In the event there is no request for reconsideration within the 10-calendar day timeline or forwarded materials to CIF Sections within the 30-calendar day timeline, the amendment will be considered passed. (Example of timeline: Fall – issues presented for a first reading; Winter – discussion, vote and reconsideration if necessary; Spring – revote, if necessary. In other words, it could take three [3] Federated Council meetings in order for an item to be passed once this Bylaw is put into effect.) C. Upon majority action of the Executive Committee, this Bylaw shall be set aside in the event of a need for emergency action. In that event, a majority vote shall prevail. D. Following adoption of the amendment, the effective date shall be July 1, unless the motion carries a specific implementation date. (Revised November 2002 Federated Council/Revised May 2013 Federated Council)
Amateurism & Awards
2208 — MERCY RULE
Effective 2026-07-01At the conclusion of the third quarter or any point thereafter, if there is a point differential of 35 or more points, a running clock shall be instituted for the remainder of the game regardless of the score. The game clock shall stop only for a score, a free kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch, a charged team timeout, a coach-referee conference or an officials’ timeout. This Bylaw applies to all levels of play. (Approved May 2011 Federated Council) ARTICLE 230 GOLF
706 — PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS
Effective 2026-07-01Any violation of the provisions of Article 70 (Sanctioned Events) may be cause for refusal of sanction approval or suspension of the participating schools from CIF competition. The Federated Council shall determine any period of suspension. Suspended schools may apply only to the Federated Council for reinstatement. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 73 ARTICLE 80 AWARDS FOR CIF COMPETITION
800 — PARTICIPATION AWARD RULES
Effective 2026-07-01A high school student is governed by CIF rules when the student participates in CIF competition. When the student participates in other than CIF competition in a CIF-approved sport, at any time during the calendar year, the student is governed by the awards rules of the amateur governing body for that sport. If the student violates the amateur standing rule of the amateur governing body for that CIF-approved sport, the student is ineligible for CIF competition, except whenever the amateur governing body rule for that sport is more stringent than the CIF rule, the CIF rule shall prevail. 801. COACHES AWARD LIMITATIONS Tournaments will not be sanctioned if there is an award over $100.00 in value to coaches. (Revised Federated Council May 2011)
802 — STUDENT AWARD LIMITATIONS
Effective 2026-07-01A. A high school student may not receive, from any and all sources, athletic awards for athletic achievement in a given sport totaling more than $250.00 in value for: (1) Accomplishments in any regular season CIF high school competition event; NOTE: Typical examples of a regular season CIF high school competition event include, but are not limited to, any non-league dual contest, league dual contest and/or individual tournaments held prior to any season-culminating league, Section, Region and/or State Playoff competition. (2) A recognition award program, such as Player of the Week/Month, for any regular season CIF high school competition. B. A high school student may not receive, from any and all sources, athletic awards for athletic achievement in a given sport totaling more than $500.00 in value for any postseason CIF high school competition or recognition program. NOTE: For purposes of this Bylaw only, postseason CIF high school competition includes league, Section, Regional and State playoff competition, and such competition is considered to be one continuous event. C. The dollar value of an award shall be determined by the following criteria: (1) The retail price paid by the last purchaser of the award; (2) If the host school or league purchases the award, the retail price paid by the host school or league; (3) If the award is donated by another entity, the actual retail price or cost to the entity exclusive of engraving. D. Such award cannot be cash, a gift certificate or merchandise alone. It may be merchandise, badge, medal, plaque, ribbon, picture, certificate or trophy, if it is suitably engraved or designated as an award. E. In the event a student accepts athletic awards in excess of the respective $250.00 and/or $500.00 value(s) stated above, and he/she or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver does not pay the excess amount(s), the student is ineligible for further CIF high school competition and shall be penalized according to Bylaw 212. (Approved May 2001 Federated Council/Revised May 2004 Federated Council/Revised May 2011 Federated Council) 803. CONTRIBUTIONS A. No entity including, but not limited to, booster clubs, individual or corporate donors, school districts, and leagues, may contribute anything in order to make it possible to give an award exceeding the $250.00 or $500.00 value. B. Awards exceeding the $250.00 and $500.00 values may not be held and given to the student after the student graduates. (Approved May 2001 Federated Council/Revised May 2011 Federated Council)
Classification & Scheduling
2205 — NUMBER OF GAMES LIMITATION
Effective 2026-07-01A high school football team of any classification or name shall not play more than two (2) games in any eight (8) day period. A continued game under National Federation football rules shall not be considered in this limitation.
Enrollment & Homeschool
1900 — STATE CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISIONAL PLACEMENT OF SCHOOLS
Effective 2026-07-01Each Section will determine the divisional placement for its schools who qualify for the State Cross Country Championships. CIF member schools will be required to participate in the division that has been established by their respective Section. Sections may use their own established criteria to determine placement of teams in the five (5) divisions based on the following guidelines: Division I As determined by Section Division II As determined by Section Division III As determined by Section Division IV As determined by Section Division V As determined by Section, but enrollment may not exceed 600 (Approved May 2000 Federated Council/Revised May 2001 Federated Council/Revised June 2002 Executive Committee/ Revised May 2005 Executive Committee/Revised May 2008 Federated Council/Revised May 2014 Federated Council)
Officials
1107 — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S AUTHORITY TO INTERPRET
Effective 2026-07-01The CIF Executive Director is authorized to interpret the CIF Constitution, Bylaws, and Federated Council regulations, and to issue such official interpretations in writing to all Sections. The Executive Director will report any official interpretations issued at subsequent Executive Committee meetings for their review and consideration. The State Executive Director may review decisions of the State Appeals Office before issuance for compliance with the CIF Constitution and Bylaws and compliance with Title V, the Education Code, etc., and whether it extended the appropriate due process to the parties. (Revised May 2007 Federated Council)
1203 — SECTION GUIDELINES FOR OFFICIALS
Effective 2026-07-01Each Section shall develop guidelines for the use of officials. It is highly recommended that officials trained and rated in CIF-approved rules for each sport be used.
1502 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council/Editorial May 2023)
1604 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council/Editorial May 2023)
1801 — OFFICIAL RULES BOOKS
Effective 2026-07-01As per Bylaw 1201 A., the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Spirit Rules Book shall be the official rule book.
1802 — SAFETY CERTIFICATION OF COACHES
Effective 2026-07-01Schools must ensure that all TCC and CSC coaches, paid and unpaid, will have completed a safety education program that emphasizes the following components: A. A philosophy of safety awareness, B. Understanding and assessing legal liability in cheerleading. C. Knowledge of cheerleading safety equipment, including apparel and training aids such as spotting belts and mats. D. Spotting techniques for tumbling and partner stunts. E. Skill progressions for tumbling, partner stunts, and pyramids. F. Physical and psychological performer readiness. G. Medical responsibilities, including injury prevention, the development of an emergency plan, and the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries. (See also Article 22.B.(9)) (Approved April 2017 Federated Council)
2000 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council/Editorial May 2023) ARTICLE 210 FLAG FOOTBALL
2101 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, and water polo. (Editorial May 202/Editorial April 2025) ARTICLE 220 FOOTBALL
2207 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council/Editorial May 2023)
2500 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council /Editorial May 2023) ARTICLE 260 SKIING 2600. Refer to Section Bylaws. ARTICLE 270 SOCCER 2700. OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council /Editorial May 2023)
2801 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag footbal (2027)l, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council /Editorial May 2023)
3101 — LANDING SECTOR FOR DISCUS AND SHOT PUT
Effective 2026-07-01For safety reasons, the landing sector for both the discus and shot put will be changed to 34.92 degrees and, furthermore, a clearly marked safety area will be maintained at 60 degrees in order to increase safety for participants, officials and spectators. The present width of area for restraining spectators and other athletes, not throwing the shot or discus, will remain the same as per National Federation rules. (Revised 2007 NFHS)
3301 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football (2027), football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council/Editorial May 2023)
509 — OFFICIAL NATIONAL FEDERATION AUTHENTICATION MARK
Effective 2026-07-01Only balls with the National Federation authentication mark shall be used in the sports of baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, field hockey, flag football, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. (Approved February 1999 Federated Council/Revised to include lacrosse November 2000 Federated Council/Editorial May 2023)
Other
101 — PROXY VOTING
Effective 2026-07-01Whenever a Federated Council member is unable to attend any meeting of the Federated Council, the member may authorize another Federated Council member to vote by proxy, provided authorization is in writing and delivered to the President prior to the meeting. 102. ALTERNATES The governing body of each Section or other entity with representation on the Federated Council may name an alternate to vote at a Federated Council meeting whenever a regular member is unable to attend, provided the President is notified, in writing, prior to the meeting and the alternate meets the requirements as set forth in Articles 3-30 & 31, of the Constitution.
1104 — CIF SECTION PLAYOFF APPEALS PROCEDURES INVOLVING SECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS ONLY
Effective 2026-07-01Each Section shall establish, to the greatest extent possible, a fair procedure to ensure a review of such matters, consistent with the time constraints involved. The decision of the Section on such matters will be final.
1105 — CIF PLAYOFF APPEALS PROCEDURES
Effective 2026-07-01The Executive Director shall have full authority to rule on any appeal directly involving State playoffs or to delegate such authority to game or meet authorities. Such a delegation of authority would not prevent the Executive Director from subsequently assuming jurisdiction if the Executive Director believed conditions warranted.
1106 — INTER-SECTIONAL DISPUTES PROCEDURE
Effective 2026-07-01In the event that two (2) Sections cannot come to a mutual agreement on an issue, a three (3)-person committee composed of the President, President-Elect and Past-President, along with the Executive Director, is authorized to hear the issue and render a decision which would be binding. If any member of the Committee is a representative of a Section involved in the dispute, the President shall select another member of the Federated Council to serve on the Committee for that particular issue.
1108 — DELEGATED POWERS
Effective 2026-07-01A. In emergency situations, the CIF President or Executive Director or his/her authorized designee may act for the Federated Council in the best interest of the organization. This action will be reviewed by the Executive Committee as soon as possible. B. Between meetings of the Federated Council, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to act for the Federated Council when necessary. This action will be subject to the approval of the Federated Council at its next meeting. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 77
1109 — SETTING ASIDE THE EFFECT OF A RULE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR WAIVER
Effective 2026-07-01The Executive Director and a Section appeals committee may, on a case-by-case basis, upon evaluation of the evidence, set aside the effect of any Bylaw when, in their joint opinion all of the following criteria are met: A. There exists a hardship as defined by Bylaw 213; B. The rationale of the rule being waived will not be offended or compromised; C. The principle of the educational balance (over athletics) will not be offended or compromised; D. The waiver will not result in a safety risk to teammates or competitors; E. The waiver will not result in an unfair displacement of another student from athletic competition; F. Competitive equity among competitors will not, as a result of the waiver, be skewed in favor of the student or the student’s team. (Approved May 1997 Federated Council) NOTE: In practice, this Bylaw is initiated by a Section appeals committee. However, the Bylaw may be initiated by the Executive Director upon review of an appeal. ARTICLE 120 APPROVED SPORTS
13 — PROPERTY
Effective 2026-07-01The property of this organization is irrevocably dedicated to charitable and educational purposes, meeting the requirements for exemption provided by Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. No part of the net income or assets of this organization shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer or member thereof nor to the benefit of any private persons. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the organization, which is dedicated to charitable and educational purposes meeting the requirements for exemption provided by Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this organization, shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501.C.(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If this organization holds any assets in trust, such assets must be disposed of in such manner as may be directed by decree of the Superior Court of the county in which the organization has its principal office, upon petition therefore by the Attorney General or any other person concerned in the liquidation, in a proceeding to which the Attorney General is a party.
1503 — PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Effective 2026-07-01It is required that adult base coaches wear a protective helmet. Play will not continue until compliance with this rule is met. It is recommended that the helmet meet NOCSAE standards. NOTE: NFHS rules govern use of protective equipment by a player/student. (Approved January 2015 Federated Council) 1504. REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS A Regional Championship will be held following the completion of CIF Section playoffs. The CIF Seeding Committee will determine the divisional placement of the Section entries for their respective regional tournament. (Approved January 2020 Federated Council) 1505. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP A State Championship will be held following the CIF Regional Championship. The Regional Champions will compete for the State Championship. (Approved Federated Council April 2026) ARTICLE 160 BASKETBALL
1600 — GIRLS MODIFICATION
Effective 2026-07-01The National Federation Basketball Rules shall be modified for girls basketball as follows: A. Utilization of 30-second shot clock. B. No 10-second rule in backcourt. C. Utilization of five (5)-second count for holding the ball only.
1601 — BOYS MODIFICATION
Effective 2026-07-01The National Federation Basketball Rules shall be modified for boys basketball as follows: A. Utilization of a 35-second shot clock. 1602. UNIFORMS The National Federation boys and girls uniform rules shall be waived to allow for the wearing of a shirt with diagonal or tailed lettering at the non-varsity level. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 81
1603 — THREE (3)-PERSON OFFICIATING
Effective 2026-07-01Three (3)-person officiating teams may be used at all games in every round of the State Basketball Tournament. (Approved October 2000 Federated Council)
1605 — STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Effective 2026-07-01Boys and Girls Regional and State Championships will be held following the completion of Section playoffs. The CIF Seeding Committee will determine the divisional placement of the Section entries for their respective regional tournament. NOTE: Sections still determine their own criteria for placement and seeding of schools within their own local playoff system. (Approved May 2001 Federated Council/Revised 2002 Executive Committee/Revised February 2005 Federated Council/ Revised May 2008 Federated Council/Revised May 2012 Federated Council/Revised May 2014 Federated Council/Revised October 2015 Federated Council/Revised April 2017 Federated Council)
1606 — MERCY RULE
Effective 2026-07-01At the conclusion of the third quarter or any point thereafter, if there is a point differential of 40 or more points, a running clock shall be instituted for the remainder of the game regardless of the score. This Bylaw applies to all levels of play. (Approved May 2004 Federated Council) ARTICLE 170 BEACH VOLLEYBALL
1800 — COMPETITIVE CHEER DEFINITIONS
Effective 2026-07-01A. Traditional Competitive Cheer (TCC) For all CIF Bylaws, Traditional Competitive Cheer (TCC) will be defined as any competition using or following the traditional competitive format. TCC coaches must meet education requirements and safety of Article 22.B.(9) and Bylaw 1802. (Ca. Education Code 35179-35179.7, 49032 and 45125.01-45125.1) B. Competitive Sport Cheer (CSC) (STUNT) For all CIF Bylaws, Competitive Sport Cheer (CSC) (STUNT) will be defined as any cheer competition that consist of four quarters of play with a halftime in between the second and third quarters. CSC coaches must meet education and safety requirements of Article 22.B.(9) and Bylaw 1802. (Ca. Education Code 35179-35179.7, 49032 and 45125.01-45125.1) (Editorial June 2024) C. Competition Cheer (see A. and B. above) shall not be counted towards a school Title IX compliance unless the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights deems Competition Cheer compliant with its definition of a sport.
1901 — AUTOMATIC TEAM ENTRIES
Effective 2026-07-01Team entries into the CIF State Championship Meet would be based on a formula that includes the following factors: A. An established baseline providing a minimum number of entries for each Section; B. Additional entries based upon the most recent four (4)-year history of the Section team performance in each divisional race; C. No Section shall have more than seven (7) team entries in any divisional race. (Approved May 2000 Federated Council/Revised May 2002 Federated Council)
1902 — INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES TO THE STATE MEET
Effective 2026-07-01A maximum of five (5) individuals (not on an automatic team entry), per the criteria in each division, will qualify from Section to State meet finals as follows: # of Section Teams that Automatically Qualify Sections’ Five Individual Qualifiers to the State Meet Must Finish in the Top 1 8 2 12 3 14 4 16 5 18 6 20 (Approved May 2001 Federated Council/Revised February 2005 Federated Council) ARTICLE 200 FIELD HOCKEY
202 — ACCURATE INFORMATION
Effective 2026-07-01A. The CIF requires that all information provided in regard to any aspect of the eligibility of a student must be true, correct, accurate, complete and/or not false or inaccurate. B. Penalty for Providing Incorrect, Inaccurate, Incomplete or False Information 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 31 (1) If it is discovered that any parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver or student has provided incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information in regards to any aspect of eligibility status on behalf of a student, that student is subject to immediate ineligibility for CIF competition at any level in any sport for a period of up to 24 calendar months from the date the determination was made that incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information was provided. (2) If it is discovered that persons associated with the student or the school [coaches, teachers, parent(s)/ guardian(s)/caregiver, friends, etc.] provided incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information in order to fraudulently gain favorable eligibility status for a student, that student is subject to immediate ineligibility for competition at any Section member school at any level in any sport for a period of up to 24 calendar months from the determination that incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information was provided whether the student was aware of the fraudulent information or not. (Revised October 2001 Federated Council) (3) Any contests in which a student or students participated based on incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information regarding eligibility status shall be forfeited according to the guidelines set in accord to the rules of the Section. (4) Teams a. If it is determined that someone associated with a school (including, but not limited to, a coach) knowingly participates in either providing incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information or using fraud or knowingly allows others to do so, in order for a team to meet qualification standards in any event, that team will be subject to immediate ineligibility for further competition in that sport that season. b. Any contest in which that team has participated based on incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information or fraud shall be forfeited according to the guidelines of the Section or the CIF. (5) School Personnel Involvement If any school personnel (including but not limited to a coach) knowingly participates in either providing incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information or allowing others to provide incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information in order to gain favorable eligibility status for a student, or team information to meet qualification standards for participation in any contest including playoffs or Championships, sanctions may be imposed on the school including but not limited to: probationary status, prohibitions against playoff participation, forfeitures, revoking of CIF or Section membership, etc. (6) Assumed Name In addition to any sanctions or penalties arising from the provisions above, a student shall become ineligible for CIF competition in their respective sport for competing in CIF competition under an assumed name.
2206 — TIE-BREAKER SYSTEM
Effective 2026-07-01A. Each Section is authorized to establish a tie-breaker system for regular season football games and Section playoff football games. (Revised October 2017 Federated Council)
2701 — REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01Boys and Girls Regional Championships will be held following the completion of Section playoffs. The CIF Seeding Committee will determine the divisional placement of the Section entries for respective regional tournament. NOTE: Sections still determine their own criteria for placement and seeding of schools within their own local playoff system. (Approved February 2007 Federated Council/Revised May 2014 Federated Council/Revised April 2016 Federated Council/ Revised April 2017 Federated Council)
2702 — STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Effective 2026-07-01A State Championship will be held following the CIF Regional Championship. The Regional Champions will compete for the State Championship. (Approved April 2025 Federated Council) ARTICLE 280 SOFTBALL
2800 — LENGTH OF GAME
Effective 2026-07-01Sections are authorized to limit junior varsity softball games to seven (7) innings or a maximum of two (2) hours (no new inning shall begin after two (2) hours have expired from the start of the game), whichever comes first.
2802 — PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Effective 2026-07-01It is required that adult base coaches wear a protective helmet. Play will not continue until compliance with this rule is met. It is recommended that the helmet meet NOCSAE standards. NOTE: NFHS Rules govern use of protective equipment by a player/student. (Approved January 2015 Federated Council) 2803. REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS A Regional Championship will be held following the completion of Section playoffs. The CIF Seeding Committee will determine the divisional placement of the Section entries for their respective regional tournament. (Approved January 2020 Federated Council) 2804. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP A State Championship will be held following the CIF Regional Championship. The Regional Champions will compete for the State Championship. (Approved April 2026 Federated Council) ARTICLE 290 SWIMMING AND DIVING
3000 — REGIONAL TENNIS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01A Regional Boys and Girls Team Tennis Championship will be held following the completion of Section playoffs. (Approved May 1998 Federated Council/Revised May 2011 Federated Council/Revised April 2016 Federated Council)
3001 — STATE TENNIS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01A State Boys and Girls Team Tennis Championship will be held following the completion of the CIF Regional Championship. (Approved April 2023 Federated Council) ARTICLE 310 TRACK AND FIELD
3203 — BOYS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Effective 2026-07-01Boys Regional Championships will be held following the completion of Section playoffs. The CIF Seeding Committee will determine the divisional placement of the Section entries for their respective regional tournament. NOTE: Sections still determine their own criteria for placement and seeding of schools within their own local playoff system. (Approved May 2008 Federated Council/Revised May 2012 Federated Council/Revised April 2015 Federated Council/ Revised April 2017 Federated Council)
33 — ELECTION AND ELIGIBILITY
Effective 2026-07-01The governing body of each Section shall determine how its own representatives to the Federated Council shall be elected consistent with the Education Code. Voting members of the Federated Council shall not be paid employees of the CIF Sections. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 21
3302 — WATER POLO REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01Boys and Girls Water Polo Regional Championship will be held following the completion of Section playoffs. Water Polo Regional Championships entries will be placed into the appropriate region aligning with the Sections’ current season of sport. (Approved October 2016 Federated Council) ARTICLE 340 WRESTLING
3400 — DAYS OF PRACTICE
Effective 2026-07-01A. Each individual student not a member and participant of a Fall sports team shall have at least 10 days of practice before the student can compete in a match or tournament. B. Each individual student who completes the regular season in a Fall sport shall have at least five (5) days of practice before the student can compete in a meet or tournament. 3401. 40-MATCH RULE A wrestler will be allowed a maximum of 40 matches during the wrestling season prior to the first qualifying tournament for the CIF State Wrestling Championships (in most situations this would be the league wrestling tournament). Forfeits do not count towards the 40-match maximum. Matches wrestled in any tournaments or competitions held prior to the first qualifying tournament will count towards the 40-match maximum. EXCEPTION: Any matches wrestled in a Section Team Dual Championship tournament will not count as part of the 40-match maximum. PENALTY: Violation of Article 3401 will result in the following sanctions: A. If an athlete goes over the prescribed 40 match limit, the athlete shall be ineligible for any further competition for the season. In addition, the Section may impose the following additional sanctions: (1) The final season record will be reduced by at least one (1) win at the conclusion of the season; (2) The school will be placed on probation; (3) The team/individual will be ineligible to advance to or in Section, Regional or State Championships; (4) Reduction of maximum number of matches allowed for the following year in that sport; (5) Repeated violation may result in suspension of membership in the CIF. (Approved October 2001 Federated Council/Revised November 2009 Federated Council) 3402. WEIGH-INS A. All CIF member schools must follow all National Federation Rules and procedures concerning weigh-ins. (1) Violation of NFHS Rule 4-5-5 will result in the following sanction: the host school will not be allowed to host any tournament or the following year and cannot financially benefit from any other tournament for that year. In addition, the Section may impose the following additional sanctions: a. The hosting school is placed on probation. b. Reduction of maximum number of matches. B. California provides 14 weight classes per NFHS Rules and the two (2) pound growth allowance to each weight class on January 1. C. Each coach is required to bring his/her team’s Pre-Match Weigh-In Form to all competitions including the CIF State Wrestling Championships. PENALTY: Failure to comply will result in the entire team being ineligible to compete and charged with forfeiture. D. Each wrestler is required to weigh in with his/her Pre-Match Weigh-In Form at all competitions up to and including the competition that begins the CIF State Championship qualifying series. PENALTY: Failure to comply will result in the wrestler being ineligible for that competition. E. The use of laxatives, emetics, excessive food and liquid restriction, self-induced vomiting, hot rooms, hot boxes, saunas and steam rooms is prohibited for any purpose. The use of diuretics at any time is prohibited. Regardless of the purpose, the use of vapor-impermeable suits (e.g. rubber or rubberized nylon) or any similar devices used solely for dehydration is prohibited. Artificial means of rehydration (i.e. intravenous hydration) are also prohibited. Violators of these rules shall be suspended for the competition(s) for which the weigh-in is intended. A second violation would result in suspension for the remainder of the season. (Revised May 2010 Federated Council)
41 — ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FEDERATED COUNCIL
Effective 2026-07-01At the annual meeting, the Federated Council shall: A. Approve credentials of new members; B. Appoint standing committees; C. Receive reports from officers and committees; D. Consider new policies, new business and such other matters as may seem necessary.
42 — ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE FEDERATED COUNCIL
Effective 2026-07-01The officers of the organization are the President, President-Elect and the Past-President. Each officer will serve on the Executive Committee and will be elected in accord with provisions of Article 7-70. (Approved October 2000 Federated Council)
43 — QUORUM FOR MEETINGS OF THE FEDERATED COUNCIL
Effective 2026-07-01A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of Federated Council members.
511 — SUSPENDED SCHOOLS
Effective 2026-07-01When a school in any Section is suspended from participating in any sport, that school is not to play with any other school in the Federation in that sport during the period of suspension. Any team competing with the offending school shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Federated Council. Any CIF member school that competes against a suspended program, the competing CIF member school shall be subject to disciplinary action by their Section and the CIF. ARTICLE 60 OUTSIDE COMPETITION
52 — CIF PLAYOFF REPORTS
Effective 2026-07-01After a reasonable number of requests from the Executive Director’s office, schools that continue to be delinquent with financial reports will not be allowed to host any Regional or State playoff contest in any sport for a period of one (1) year from the time of sanction. (Approved May 2009 Federated Council)
53 — FISCAL LEGISLATION
Effective 2026-07-01Legislation which has a fiscal impact upon the CIF Budget shall be submitted, no later than February 10, to the CIF Executive Committee for their review in developing a recommendation for the Federated Council at its Spring meeting. (Legislation is interpreted to mean legislation or business internal to CIF and/or its member Sections.)
54 — INDEMNIFICATION OF SECTIONS
Effective 2026-07-01The CIF shall indemnify Sections against documented net revenue loss as a result of a Section’s participation in a system- wide merchandising or sponsorship program in lieu of a Section-based program of like kind for a period of one (1) year. Sections so indemnified shall in future years of participation in that system-wide program repay such amounts as they received in indemnified loss by receiving 10 percent per year less than they would have received without such indemnification, provided that such reduction shall not cause a Section to receive less than the revenue documented for purposes of indemnification plus five (5) percent annual growth. Indemnification of loss shall cease after one (1) year. ARTICLE 6 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 60. PROCEDURE This Constitution may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the entire Federated Council provided the amendment was proposed at the previous meeting. ARTICLE 7 COMMITTEES
601 — PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF BYLAW 600
Effective 2026-07-01A. Individual (1) First Offense in High School Career in Any Sport The student becomes immediately ineligible for participation with his/her high school team for a number of contests equal to twice the number of contests of outside competition in which the student participated. (2) Any Subsequent Offense in High School Career in Any Sport The student becomes immediately ineligible for one (1) year (365 days) from the second infraction in all sports. a. Appeals Upon written appeal to the Section Commissioner, the student may petition his/her Section for reinstatement of his/her eligibility status. B. Team (1) Games Forfeited Games in which a student participated on his/her high school team after violation of Bylaw 600 shall be forfeited. (2) Appeals Sections may establish rules and procedures to consider requests for waivers of game forfeitures. (Revised May 2004 Federated Council)
604 — INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Effective 2026-07-01The CIF State Executive Director may grant approval, upon individual petition, for an athlete to travel to a foreign country to participate in international competition sanctioned by the governing body for that sport in the United States and the international governing body. (Revised May 2003 Federated Council/Revised October 2008 Federated Council)
80 — POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Effective 2026-07-01No substantial part of the activities of this association shall consist of carrying on propaganda, and the association shall not participate in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of any candidate for public office.
81 — POLICY BOOK
Effective 2026-07-01The CIF State Office shall prepare a policy book containing all policies passed by the Federated Council not specifically included in the Constitution and Bylaws. Policies from before 1992 are to be added as identified in minutes of the Federated Council. A. All Sections are to be provided with a policy book that is updated annually by the CIF State Office. B. Copies of individual policies shall be available on written request to the CIF State Office or a CIF Section Office. C. Each Section shall develop and pass administrative regulations to implement policies not the exclusive responsibility of the CIF State Office. D. Copies of regulations for individual policies shall be available upon written request to the Section involved.
Participation Limits
301 — HOME STUDY, HOME SCHOOLING
Effective 2026-07-01Students who are not enrolled in programs under the jurisdiction of a member school’s governing body are not eligible to participate in CIF competition. Such programs would include, but not be limited to, home schooling or home study wherein parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, or other persons, are responsible for instruction and evaluation. (Approved February 2000 Federated Council/Revised May 2002 Federated Council) Q: Why can’t home-schooled students participate in CIF interscholastic competition? A: All students participating in CIF interscholastic competition are certified by the principal of the school to be eligible under all applicable standards. Students must meet minimum standards of academic eligibility, minimum credits per semester and must be making adequate progress towards graduation. Programs outside the purview of a school governing board and local school administration are unable to provide the necessary certification to ensure that all students met minimal academic requirements. Q: What is meant by home-schooled? A: Any program or instruction administered by a person other than a member of a school staff that is not approved and/ or adopted by a local governing body. Any such program that has an affiliation with a school but is not administered by members of that school’s staff (meaning paid teaching staff) is considered a home-school program; students in home-school programs are not eligible for CIF interscholastic competition under Bylaw 301.
302 — INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM
Effective 2026-07-01CIF defines independent/home study programs under the jurisdiction of a CIF member school or school district as those independent/home study programs in which the curriculum is approved, the program administered and the students evaluated by that school/school district’s governing body’s designees. A. A student enrolled in an Independent Study Program is eligible at the public school in whose attendance area his/her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver reside, or where the student most recently established his/her residential eligibility provided that: (1) A student’s registration is accepted by the local school board; AND (2) The courses taken by the student meet the standards adopted by the local school board and Education Code Section 51745 et seq.; AND (3) The administrative responsibility for the student involved in athletics would rest with the principal of the school for which the student is competing; AND (4) The student meets all other eligibility requirements of the CIF and its member Sections; AND (5) For the purposes of determining dues, legal and liability assessments, realignment issues and CIF State and Section divisional placement, the enrollment figures for non-CIF member school/program students residing in the CIF member school’s attendance area must be included in the CIF member school’s CBEDS enrollment figures. (Approved May 2003 Federated Council/Revised May 2008 Federated Council) Q: Can a student involved in independent study participate in interscholastic athletics? A: Yes, however that participation is subject to certain conditions. In order to be considered Independent Study, the program must exhibit the following characteristics: 1. The program must be subject to the administration at that school for which the student participates; 2. The local school governing body must approve/adopt the curriculum provided to the student; 3. The curriculum must meet CDE minimum standards for graduation; 4. A member of that school’s teaching staff must perform teaching/administering the curriculum 1 ; 5. A member of that school’s teaching staff must perform testing and grading of the student’s progress; 6. The student’s grades and performance are recorded on the school’s transcripts; 7. The student must be enrolled in a minimum of 20 semester credits of work; All of the above characteristics must be present for the student to have eligibility to participate in a CIF member school. 1 A member of the staff is considered a paid staff member employed by that school or school district and subject to the standards set forth by that governing body. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 53 Meets Bylaw 302 for Eligibility Independent Study Program Teacher(s) are under the local administrative control of the school principal/district administration Curriculum is adopted by the school’s local governing board Grading and recording is performed by members of the school staff Student meets regularly with a staff member for assignment of work and grading Student is enrolled in a minimum of 20 semester credits of work Student’s enrollment is recorded as part of that school’s ADA and is counted in CBEDS reporting Curriculum meets minimum CDE requirements for graduation Does Not Meet Eligibility Requirements for Bylaw 302 Home-Schooled Program Teachers are parents or other non-school staff Curriculum is chosen by the parents and is not specifically ad- opted by a local governing board Grading is done by a parent or other non-certified staff member There is no regular meeting schedule with school staff members Student is not required to be enrolled an a specified number of credits Student’s attendance is not reported Curriculum may not meet CDE minimum standards for graduation Characteristics of Each:
804 — EQUAL VALUE OF AWARDS
Effective 2026-07-01Whenever a CIF athletic event is conducted for girls teams and boys teams in the same sport, awards of equal value for boys competition and girls competition shall be provided at each equivalent event of competition. Such awards need not be identical. The value of awards for junior varsity or other level of competition need not be the same as for varsity, but at each level of competition awards for boys and girls should be of equal value. 805. ANY GIFT, OR TOTAL OF GIFTS, SPONSORSHIPS OR CONTRIBUTIONS, VALUED AT $500.00 OR MORE, TO AN ATHLETIC PROGRAM, TEAM OR COACH A. Information on any gift, or total of gifts, sponsorships or contributions of $500.00 or more yearly to an athletic program, team or coach which is meant to support that program, team or coach must be reported to the governing body or administrative officer responsible for policy development related to athletics. B. If requested, a record of gifts, contributions or sponsorships must be made available to the Section to which the school belongs and to the CIF. Such a record should include the date and amount as well as a copy of any existing contractual obligations related to the gift, contribution or sponsorship, and a clear record of the disbursement of the funds. C. The acceptance and disbursement of any gifts, contributions or sponsorships must also be in accord with school administrative and district policy and as stipulated under the conditions of membership as outlined in Article 2-22. D. In the case of private schools or public charter schools specifically exempt from such regulations, the Section or State may require the implementation of reasonable administrative review practices and procedures, concerning the receipt and disbursement of gifts, contributions or sponsorships. (See also Bylaw 508 - Donated Equipment) Q: May a school or team accept prize money for participation in an event? A: No. (Approved May 1998 Federated Council/Revised May 2008 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION74 ARTICLE 90 ALL-STAR COMPETITION 900. PARTICIPATION A. A graduating senior is any student who started his/her seventh semester of eligibility and completed the current school year season of sport prior to the high school all-star competition in that sport. B. For graduating seniors only, high school all-star competition (including practices and/or tryouts) may not begin until the conclusion of the last Section or State contest in that sport. C. Undergraduates (grades 9-11) are prohibited from participating in high school all-star competition (including practices and/or tryouts) from September 1 through the completion of the last CIF-scheduled sanctioned event for that school year. NOTE: 2027 June 5
Sportsmanship & Conduct
1700 — SEASON OF SPORT
Effective 2026-07-01Girls Beach Volleyball will be conducted in the Spring. (Approved February 2021 Federated Council/Editorial June 2022) ARTICLE 180 COMPETITIVE CHEER
2100 — SEASON OF SPORT
Effective 2026-07-01Girls Flag Football will be conducted in the Fall. NOTE: Girls Flag Football will use the 2025 NFHS rule book. (Editorial June 2024/Editorial April 2025)
2203 — PHYSICAL CONDITIONING PRACTICE
Effective 2026-07-01A high school shall not conduct a physical conditioning practice session during the summer prior to the opening date of authorized football practice, unless so authorized by the appropriate Section.
2204 — SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Effective 2026-07-01Eighth and ninth grade students from an elementary, middle or junior high school may not take part in the Spring football practice at the high school (See Bylaw 303 for multi-school exception). A high school coach may not conduct a football practice session at a separate junior high school.
703 — INTER-SECTIONAL/BORDER STATES COMPETITION
Effective 2026-07-01CIF and National Federation sanction approval is not necessary for CIF-approved sports competition conducted between member schools of the Sections and/or Border States. NOTE: For purposes of the provisions of CIF Article 70 (Sanctioned Events), the following are considered to be border states: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon. School teams from Canada and Mexico that meet the eligibility criteria of Bylaw 705.D. will also be considered border states. (Approved May 2003 Federated Council)
Transfer & Residence
1400 — REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Effective 2026-07-01Regional badminton events for boys, girls and coed will be conducted in the Spring. NOTE: For related policies please consult the badminton section in the Blue Pages. (Approved May 2014 Federated Council) ARTICLE 150 BASEBALL 1500. PITCHING LIMITATION RULE – 30 OUTS Sections shall adopt the following baseball pitching limitation rule: 30 outs and/or three (3) appearances in a calendar week through the season. A. The calendar week begins on Monday. B. Innings pitched in a no game (i.e., rainout, power failure, etc.) shall count toward the total. C. If the 30th out involves a double or triple play, the team will not be penalized. D. An appearance is defined as a pitcher pitching at least one (1) pitch. If a pitcher is removed from the mound to another position or to the dugout and later returns to pitch in the same game, the pitcher will be charged with a second appearance. E. Any violation constitutes a forfeit of the contest. 1501. PITCHING LIMITATION RULE – PITCH COUNT In addition to Bylaw 1500 above, Sections shall adopt the following baseball pitching limitation rule with respect to pitch count and required days of rest: Pitch count limits and required rest Level Maximum Contest Pitch Limit
200 — CIF STUDENT ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC COMPETITION
Effective 2026-07-01A. Philosophy The CIF, as the governing body of high school athletics, affirms that athletic competition is an important part of the high school experience and that participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege. The privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics is available to students in public or private schools who meet the democratically established standards of qualification as set forth by the Federated Council. CIF Bylaws governing student eligibility are a necessary prerequisite to participation in interscholastic athletics because they: (1) Keep the focus on athletic participation as a privilege not a right; (2) Reinforce the principle that students attend school to receive an education first; athletic participation is secondary; (3) Protect the opportunities to participate for students who meet the established standards; (4) Provide a fundamentally fair and equitable framework in which interscholastic athletic competition can take place; (5) Provide uniform standards for all schools to follow in maintaining athletic competition; (6) Serve as a deterrent to students who transfer schools for athletic reasons and to individuals who recruit student-athletes; (7) Serve as a deterrent to students who transfer schools to avoid disciplinary action; (8) Maintain an ethical relationship between high school athletic programs and others who demonstrate an interest in high school athletes; (9) Support the Principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor sm . B. Rules The CIF establishes the standards of eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics to include the following: * (1) Philosophy Statement (Bylaw 200) (2) Standards of Eligibility (Bylaw 201) (3) Accurate Information (Bylaw 202) (4) Age Requirement (Bylaw 203) (5) Eight (8) Consecutive Semesters Requirement (Bylaw 204) (6) Scholastic Eligibility (Bylaw 205) a. Initial Scholastic Eligibility (Bylaw 205.A.) b. Continuing Scholastic Eligibility (Bylaw 205.B.) c. Summer School Credits [Bylaw 205.B.(3)f.] d. Scholastic Eligibility for Students in Non-Traditional Programs [Bylaw 205.B.(3)g.] e. Waiver of the Requirement of Passing 20 Semester Credits of Work (Bylaw 205.C.) (7) Residential Eligibility (Bylaw 206) a. Initial Residential Eligibility (Bylaw 206.A.) b. Continuing Residential Eligibility (Bylaw 206.B.) c. Valid Change of Residence (Bylaw 206.C.) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION28 (8) Transfer Eligibility (Bylaw 207) (9) Foreign Exchange Students (Bylaw 208) (10) Discipline, Expulsion and Transfer for Disciplinary Reasons (Bylaw 209) a. Expulsion (Bylaw 209.A.) b. Suspended Expulsion (Bylaw 209.B.) c. Disciplinary Transfer (Bylaw 209.C.) (11) Physical Assault of a Game or Event Official (Bylaw 210) (12) Continuation School Eligibility (Bylaw 211) (13) Amateur Status (Bylaw 212) (14) Hardship Waivers Other Than Transfer (Bylaw 213) (15) Post-Injunction Remedies (Bylaw 214) (16) Intercollegiate Participation (Bylaw 215) (17) Graduates (Bylaw 216) a. Mid-Year/Spring Graduation (Bylaw 216.A.) b. California Proficiency Program (CPP) (Bylaw 216.B.) NOTE: *The CIF recognizes that any student who is ineligible under the rules of another state cannot gain eligibility at a CIF member school until the terms of ineligibility are served.
201 — STANDARDS OF ELIGIBILITY
Effective 2026-07-01Only students enrolled in public, charter and private CIF member schools, grades 9-12, and meet all standards of athletic eligibility established by CIF, their respective CIF Section of membership, their respective league, district and school are considered a student in good standing and eligible to compete for their school of enrollment. Students who are enrolled in school programs or member schools whose membership status has been established as a multi-school/campus should also refer to Bylaws 302, 303 and 304 for additional eligibility requirements. A. Enrollment Standards- See also Bylaws 204, 206, 207 and 209 (1) Enrollment Standard Required for Participation: (Bylaws 201 and 205) a. Students must be enrolled full-time (minimum 20 units) at the school for which they are competing. (See also Bylaws 205.B.(1)a., 216, 303, 304, 503.C. & 503.G.) b. Students will be considered enrolled in a school for purposes of participation in interscholastic athletics (Bylaw 205.B) when they have: (i) Been entered as a full‐time student [20 units or equivalent in a non‐traditional program‐see also Bylaw 205.B.(1)a. and b.(i)] in attendance in classes at that school. OR (ii) Participated in a Fall sport when the tryouts and/or practices of that team begin before classes at the school begin in the Fall. Such a student will be considered to be enrolled during that practice time as long as they have registered for, and are enrolled, as a full-time student for the Fall semester of that school year [20 units or equivalent in a non-traditional program; see also Bylaws 205.B.(1)a. and b.(i)]. Q: My son was not registered for any classes at any school. He was not attending school anywhere because we had just moved here. He enrolled in classes at the new school (CIF Member School A) two (2) weeks after the first day of this school year. When does his official enrollment begin? A: Because he was not registered or currently scheduled for classes at any school he is not considered to have been on the attendance roll prior to his official enrollment. Official enrollment would begin on the first day he attended classes at the new school. Q: My son was registered and scheduled in classes, but due to illness did not begin attending until five (5) days after the school year/term began. When does his official enrollment begin? A: Because he was registered and scheduled in classes, even though he was not attending those classes, his official enrollment begins the first day he attended classes at that school. c. For eligibility purposes, students cannot have dual enrollment in two (2) different schools at the same time. During the time a student remains enrolled in their current school but has registered for classes at a new school and/or paid a non-refundable registration fee at a new school, the student will be considered to be enrolled in the former school not the new school. Only at such time as the student has withdrawn from or has completed the courses in which they were enrolled at the former school, is no longer enrolled in any way at the former school and has attended classes at their new school, shall that student be considered as being enrolled in the new school for eligibility purposes. This applies to 8 th graders matriculating the following school year to 9 th grade in a CIF member school. NOTE: This is not intended to apply to traditional summer school coursework. Summer school is defined as a course of study that begins after the end of the previous school year and ends prior to the beginning of the Fall term of the following school year. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 29 Q: My daughter will be transferring to a new school (School B) in the Fall. She has registered for classes at that new school, but still remains enrolled in, and completing her coursework at, her current school (School A). For purposes of athletic eligibility, is she enrolled in both schools at this time? A: Students may not have dual enrollment for eligibility purposes. Students may not have residential eligibility at two (2) different schools at the same time. She is considered enrolled at, and therefore only eligible at, her current school (School A). d. Students may not participate in any athletic meeting, practice or competition at a new school in which they have registered for classes and/or paid a non-refundable registration fee until they have been officially withdrawn from their former school, or stopped attending or the regular school year for their former school has concluded. This applies to 8 th graders who are matriculating the following school year to a CIF member school. Q: My daughter will be transferring to a new school (School B) in the Fall. She has registered for classes at that new school, but still remains enrolled in and completing her coursework at her current school (School A). Can she practice with her new school team during the current school year since she is registered for classes and will be attending the new school next term/ year? A: No. For eligibility purposes, she is not considered to be enrolled at the new school (School B) since she had not withdrawn from or stopped attending School A and therefore may not participate, practice or compete in any way with their athletic program. If she does, she may be declared to be in violation of Bylaws 207.C.(3) & 510 pre-enrollment contact with the new school (School B) which may jeopardize her athletic eligibility. e. Students may not practice with or compete for any CIF member school in which they are not enrolled as a full-time student regardless of the sports offerings, or lack thereof, at the school in which they are enrolled. (2) Enrollment Standard Establishing a Semester of Attendance a. Once a student attends class and is continuously enrolled for 15 school days in the 9 th grade, and/or in any classes taken subsequent to the completion of the 8 th grade, at any school or has played in an interscholastic athletic contest, the CIF will count that as the student’s first semester of high school eligibility. Q: Because of family circumstances, we enrolled our daughter in the 9th grade at a school after her completion of the 8th grade. She was unable to attend until a month after school started. Because of this, we waited until the 2nd semester of that year for her to actually start attending classes. When does her eight (8) semesters begin? A: California Ed Code Section 58200 et seq. provides that each person between the ages of six (6) and 18 years is subject to compulsory full-time education unless the person is statutorily exempt. However, if during that first semester, she was not enrolled in any coursework of any kind in any school, was not home schooled and was not taking any kind of courses online through any Independent Study Program or in any other program of coursework, her first semester of high school eligibility would begin at the 2nd semester. b. Eight (8) consecutive semesters of eligibility, including and immediately following the first semester as described in (a.) above, are available to the student whether or not the student is enrolled in school, participates in or is eligible for, interscholastic participation. (Bylaw 204) (3) Enrollment Standard Establishing Students as a Transfer (Bylaw 207) a. Students shall be considered to be a transfer student when: (i) The student has attended class at their former school (School A) AND/OR (ii) The student has played in an athletic contest for their former school; AND/OR (iii) The student has tried out for or practiced with a team prior to the beginning of the school year for five (5) days or more; AND (iv) That student withdraws from School A or has completed the courses in which they were enrolled in at School A, so that student is no longer enrolled in any way at School A; AND (v) That student enrolls as a full-time student in a new school (School B); THEN that student shall be determined to be enrolled in and having transferred to School B if all conditions of 201.A.(1) above are met. b. Students may not practice with or participate in an interscholastic athletic contest for the new school prior to establishing enrollment in the new school, meeting the enrollment standards contained herein, except if they are transferring at the beginning of the school year and practice for that season of sport begins prior to the first day that classes begin for the new school. Registering for classes and paying a non-refundable registration fee or tuition does not constitute enrollment in the new school for transfer purposes. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION30 c. For eligibility purposes, students cannot have dual enrollment in two (2) different schools at the same time. During the time a student is intending to transfer schools, has registered for classes at the new school and/or paid a non-refundable registration fee at the new school, but still remains enrolled in the former chool, the student will be considered to be enrolled in the former school. Only at such time as the student has withdrawn from or has completed the courses in which they were enrolled at the former school, and is no longer enrolled in any way at the former school, shall that student be considered as having transferred to the new school. This applies to 8 th graders matriculating the following school year to 9 th grade in a CIF member school. d. No one associated with the athletic program at the new school may perpetrate any violation of Bylaw 510 or have inappropriate pre-enrollment contact as outlined in Bylaw 207.C or 510 prior to their enrollment in the new school as defined herein. Q: What if my child is on a waiting list to attend School B, but is not accepted until after the school year has begun and begins attending School A? A: The Section may grant an exception, but must have written documentation that the student was placed on the waiting list at School B prior to the start of the school year beginning and their attendance at School A. The student will not be eligible for an exemption if they participated in any contests at School A. (4) Enrollment Standards for Purposes of Bylaw 510 (pre-enrollment contact) (Bylaw 510) a. General information about athletic programs, physicals, summer activity, camps, etc. may be distributed to middle school students only by a CIF member school administrator or athletic director. Q: What may representatives of a senior high school do as far as contact with junior high/middle school students is concerned? A: Because a graduate of a junior high/middle school may enter any high school in California and may be residentially eligible in accordance with all CIF rules, contact by senior high school representatives is regulated. Individual coaches cannot visit or initiate contact with junior high/middle school students, but it would be permissible for the school administrator or athletic director (not the coach) of a senior high school to visit the junior high/middle school campus for the purpose of informing students of the total athletic program at the senior high school. However, it is legal for a high school coach to be part of a total open house and/or school orientation (academics, activities, but not athletics by itself) where a student is part of a general gathering of students on the high school campus and such activity has the approval of the high school and junior high/middle or elementary school principal. b. 8 th graders who have not graduated from the 8 th grade may not participate in any athletic communication(s) conducted by any high school coach that is not part of a school-wide high school presentation until May 1 and only if the student has registered for classes at the CIF member school and, in the case of a private school, also paid a non-refundable registration fee. Q: What means of communication may coaches use after May 1? A: Coaches may communicate with 8th grade families via phone, email or letters but must do so in accordance with school/ school district/governing board policy. c. The student may not practice or compete in any contest at any high school, even if they have registered for classes and/or paid a non-refundable registration fee, until they have graduated from the 8 th grade. d. Contact between coaches (and others associated with the athletic program) and students or their parents during summer activity conducted by a CIF member school, shall not be considered pre-enrollment contact requiring disclosure, if the student has, previous to that summer, registered for classes at the CIF member school and, in the case of a private school, also paid a non-refundable registration fee and has officially withdrawn from the previous school as long as the contact does not occur prior to the conclusion of the student’s former school’s year end. Such contact is not required to be disclosed. All other contact not covered in this circumstance between coaches (and others associated with the athletic program) and students or their parents must be disclosed as required in Bylaws 206, 207 and 510. (Revised April 2018 Federated Council) (5) Enrollment of Students in Schools with Multi-School/Campus Agreements Enrollment of students in a school with an existing multi-school/campus agreement may be residentially eligible only as provided in Bylaws 302, 303 and 304. (See Related Bylaw 301 – Home Study/Home Schooling) (Revised April 2016 Federated Council)
205 — SCHOLASTIC ELIGIBILITY
Effective 2026-07-01A. Initial Scholastic Eligibility In order to be eligible, any student entering from the 8 th grade into a CIF four (4)-year high school, a junior high or a junior high under the provisions of Bylaw 303, must have achieved an unweighted 2.0 grade-point average, on a 4.0 scale, in enrolled courses at the conclusion of the previous grading period. Q: What is the definition of an unweighted grade-point average? A: An unweighted grade-point average is one where no additional grade points are awarded for any courses (advanced placement, honors, etc.) Q: Are all courses considered equal in the calculation of a grade-point average? A: No. An A grade in a one-credit class would not be considered equal to an A grade in a five (5)-credit class. (1) Probationary Period The governing board of each school district, private school, or parochial school may adopt, as part of its policy, provisions that would allow a student who does not achieve the above requirement in the previous grading period to remain eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics during a probationary period. The probationary period shall not exceed one (1) semester in length, but may be for a shorter period of time, as determined by the governing board of the school district, private school, or parochial school. A student who does not meet the above requirements during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics in the subsequent grading period. For the purpose 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 33 of determining the maximum length of a semester, the measure shall be the maximum number of days comprising a semester as used in that school during the year in question. B. Continuing Scholastic Eligibility (1) Minimum Requirements A student is scholastically eligible if: a. The student achieved an unweighted 2.0 grade-point average, on a 4.0 scale, in enrolled courses at the conclusion of the previous grading period. (See Q&A below in Bylaw 205.B.(1)e.) b. The student is currently enrolled in at least 20 semester credits of work; (i) Non-Traditional Programs In schools where other than traditional semester programs are offered, the principal of each individual school shall be responsible for determining the equivalent of 20 semester credits of work. (ii) Accelerated Programs Students studying on an accelerated program that includes one (1) or more advanced (either high school or college) courses while enrolled in high school may substitute enrollment and passing grades in these courses for one (1) or more required 20 semester credits of work; evaluation of these courses is to be done by the high school principal. c. The student was passing in the equivalent of at least 20 semester credits of work at the completion of the most recent grading period; d. The student is maintaining minimum progress toward meeting the high school graduation requirements as prescribed by the governing board; e. The student has maintained during the previous grading period a minimum unweighted 2.0 grade-point average, on a 4.0 scale, in all enrolled courses. Q: What is the definition of an unweighted grade-point average? A: An unweighted grade-point average is one where no additional grade points are awarded for any courses (advanced placement, honors, etc.) Q: Are all courses considered equal in the calculation of a grade-point average? A: No. An A grade in a one-credit class would not be considered equal to an A grade in a five (5)-credit class (2) Probationary Period The governing board of each school district, private school, or parochial school may adopt, as part of its policy, provisions that would allow a student who does not achieve educational progress in items d. or e. above in the previous grading period to remain eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics during a probationary period. The probationary period shall not exceed one (1) semester in length, but may be for a shorter period of time as determined by the governing board of the school district, private school, or parochial school. A student who does not achieve educational progress as defined in items d. or e. during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics in the subsequent grading period. For the purpose of determining the maximum length of a semester, the measure should be the maximum as used in that school. (3) Grading Period The grading period is that time when all students in a school are graded. If two (2) grades are given at the end of a grading period, scholastic eligibility shall be established according to the grade issued for credit. a. Schools or districts or leagues or Sections must establish an eligibility date following the immediately previous grading period in compliance with their respective CIF Section Policy. This is the date on which all students become eligible and ineligible based on their officially posted grades in the immediately previous grading period. b. Grades cannot be changed following the grading period for purposes of addressing any deficiency in an individual student’s scholastic eligibility. c. Only grades changed prior to the established eligibility date and changed in accordance with all California State Education Code requirements and approved by the principal may be used for purposes of determining scholastic eligibility. d. Incomplete Grades A grade(s) of Incomplete shall not be considered a passing grade under this Bylaw unless, by operation of a school grading policy, Incomplete grade shall become a passing letter or (numeric) grade without further achievement or accomplishment by a student, at a certain time. When an Incomplete grade is issued, which does not automatically become a passing grade, as indicated immediately above, such Incomplete grade shall not satisfy the requirement of this Bylaw until academic deficiency which gave rise to such Incomplete grade shall have been satisfied and a passing grade has been substituted for the Incomplete grade. Upon such CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION34 substitution, the substituted grade shall be considered in determining scholastic eligibility as established by evaluation of previous grading period grades and the substituted grade. A scholastically ineligible student may become immediately scholastically eligible upon such evaluation. e. Physical Education Credits Credits earned in physical education may count toward the 20 semester credits of work requirement. f. Summer School Credits Summer school credits shall be counted toward making up scholastic deficiencies incurred in the grading period (semester) immediately preceding. Summer school courses failed shall not impair an athlete’s scholastic eligibility achieved in the semester immediately preceding. A course taken by contract or independent study during the summer must meet the following four (4) criteria: (i) The course(s) must be approved by the local board of trustees as a valid part of the district’s school program; (ii) The student receives a passing grade in the courses taken; (iii) The personnel providing the instruction and course supervision are approved by the board of trustees; (iv) The school credit is recorded on the student’s transcript. g. Scholastic Eligibility for Students in Non-Traditional Programs In schools operating on other than the traditional program (i.e., for schools such as those with a modular or flexible scheduling, special programs for the physically disabled, or continuous progress programs) the principal shall certify on the established eligibility date to the scholastic eligibility of each student based upon satisfactory progress in accordance with the standards defined above. Students may apply college course units to satisfy the 20 semester credits of work requirement and the grade point average requirement. Students who are eligible for differential standards of proficiency pursuant to Section 51412 of the Education Code are covered by that Section. NOTE: For crediting purposes the grading period closes with the last day of school in the given grading period. In determining eligibility, one (1) grading period does not end until the next one begins. C. Waiver of the Requirement of Passing 20 Semester Credits of Work Each Section may waive the requirement of passing in 20 semester credits of work during the regular school grading period immediately preceding that of competition, provided: (1) Serious illness, injury or attendance in special schools (as referenced in Education Code Sections 59000 et seq. and 59100 et seq.) prevents the student from meeting one (1) or more of these requirements; OR (2) The student has been traveling abroad with the consent of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and circumstances prevented further school attendance; OR (3) The student is returning from an American abroad school attendance program; OR (4) The student is returning from school attendance abroad because of a valid change of residency by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver; OR (5) The student is required to remain out of a U.S. school because of exceptional hardship, (See Bylaw 213 for definition of hardship); AND (6) That the student was eligible under all rules in the semester immediately prior to his/her absence; AND (7) All other rules such as age and number of seasons of sport shall apply. A decision to deny such a waiver by the Section Commissioner may be appealed only to the Section and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Bylaw 1101. 206. RESIDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY A. Initial Residential Eligibility A student has residential eligibility upon initial enrollment in: (See also Bylaw 201.A. for definition of enrollment) (1) The 9 th grade of any CIF high school, a CIF junior high school, or a junior high school under provisions of Bylaw 303; OR (2) The 10 th grade of any CIF high school from 9 th grade of a junior high school in the United States. B. Continuing Residential Eligibility – See also Bylaw 201.A. A student retains residential eligibility as long as he/she is continuously enrolled in the CIF member high school in which the student initially enrolled. C. Valid Change of Residence A student may be determined to be residentially eligible when a student, whose parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility at the prior school (School A), completes a valid change of residence as described herein when the following conditions are met: (1) A valid change of residence must be made from a residence located in the public high school attendance area (School A’s attendance area), even if the student is not currently attending nor ever has attended the school in which attendance area they reside, to another public high school’s attendance area (School B’s attendance area). 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 35 (2) School A may be a CIF member school or a non-CIF member school or may be a school located outside of the United States. (3) Definition of a Valid Change of Residence A valid residence is defined as the location where the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver (with whom eligibility has been established) live with that student and thereby have the use and enjoyment of that location as a residence. A valid change of residence for eligibility purposes requires the former residence to have been vacated by the entire family for use as its residence. For athletic eligibility purposes, a student (with the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver with whom residential eligibility has been established) may only have one (1) primary valid residence at one (1) time. (4) Determination of What Constitutes a Valid Change of Residence Determination of what constitutes a valid change of residence depends upon the facts in each case. In determining that a valid change of residence occurred, the following facts must exist: \ a. The original residence must be abandoned as a residence by the immediate family. The new school is responsible for validating this fact; AND b. The student’s entire immediate family must make the change of primary residence and take with them the household goods and furniture appropriate to the circumstances. For eligibility purposes, a family unit may not maintain more than one (1) primary residence; AND c. The change of primary residence must be genuine, without fraud or deceit and with permanent intent; AND NOTE: A student whose family makes a valid change of residence into a new school’s attendance area (See d. below) may be residentially eligible for varsity competition upon receipt and recording of a CIF Form (please use respective CIF Section Form) by the CIF Section of the student’s new school. A subsequent move into a different school boundary by the family (or other family members) during the next 12 calendar months will result in the student being declared ineligible until cleared for competition by the Section Commissioner. a. A request for eligibility based on a valid change of residence by the student’s entire immediate family must be supported by documentation. Documentation may be cumulative and no single document or any combination of documents listed below will be considered as definitive that a valid change of residence occurred. The documents must support a finding by the Section that a valid change of residence by the student’s entire immediate family occurred prior to participation at the new school; that the previous residence was vacated as required above in paragraphs a., b. and c. and that the family no longer has the use and enjoyment of that former residence. The Section Commissioner and school may request additional documents they deem necessary to establish that a valid change of residence occurred as defined above. Evidence may include: • Property tax receipts; • Bank account statements; • Credit card statements. The Section Commissioner and/or school have the discretion to request additional documents that he/she deems necessary to confirm change in residency. Examples may include: Real estate documents indicating and verifying a change of residence; Court documents indicating a change of residence; Declaration of residency executed by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver; Operative telephone and utility service at the student’s new residence and terminated at the former residence; Utility service receipts; Proof of paying for utilities at the new residence including phone, gas, electricity, water, cable television, and garbage collection; Proof of submitting a change of address to the U.S. Postal Service to receive mail at the new residence; Proof of transfer of the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and age-appropriate student’s motor vehicle registration; Proof of changed address on the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and age-appropriate student driver’s license; Voter registration listing the new address; Proof of entering a long-term lease; (minimum of 12 calendar months) Rent payment receipts. The Section Commissioner and/or school have the discretion to request additional documents that he/she deems necessary to confirm residency. (5) Change in School Enrollment Made in Anticipation of a Valid Change of Residence If a student transfers to a high school in advance of the anticipated change of residence by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility, the student shall become eligible when the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver actually complete a valid change of residence to that school’s attendance area. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION36 (6) Choice of Schools After a Valid Change of Residence A student choosing a school after making a valid change of residence in accordance with CIF’s definition of valid change of residence has a choice for residential eligibility as follows: a. Remaining at the Same School Continued attendance at the previous school (School A) maintains residential eligibility at School A as long as the student has remained enrolled in the same school under a district/ school approved enrollment process (i.e., inter or intra or senior privilege etc. district/school program); OR b. Changing Schools A student must make a valid change of residence out of the public school (School A) attendance area in which their former family residence was located and into another public school’s attendance area (School B). This is true even if the student was not attending public School A, but was enrolled in a private school or a charter school. Changing schools following such a valid change of residence will result in full residential eligibility if the following conditions are met: (i) Student enrolls, attends, and/or is carried on the attendance roll at the new public school (School B) into whose attendance area the family moved, or another public school in accordance with the district(s) policies or a private school or a charter school; AND (ii) The student changes schools immediately following the family valid change of residence or no later than the beginning of the next school year following that family move; AND (iii) The new school verifies the family valid change of residence of the family; AND (iv) A CIF Form (please use local CIF Section Form) documenting the new school’s verification of the family’s valid change of residence is completed by the new school and family and received by the CIF Section within 30 days of the valid change of residence and recorded by the respective CIF Section. (7) Valid Change of Residence After a Discipline Situation Such a student will not be granted residential eligibility except as outlined in Bylaw 209 if the student is changing residence and schools, voluntarily or if compelled by the former school or district, as a result of a disciplinary situation at the previous school. (8) Pre-Enrollment Contact Such a student will not be granted residential eligibility until the Pre-Enrollment Contact Affidavit with the CIF Form (please use local CIF Section Form) is completed by the family and school, received and recorded by the CIF Section, verifying there is no evidence of the use of undue influence (recruiting) by anyone associated with either school in order to procure the student’s enrollment in the new school. [See also (10) below and Bylaw 510] (9) Same Sport at Two (2) Different Schools No student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two (2) different schools in the same school year unless the student changed schools as a result of a valid change of residence. In the event of a change of schools due to a valid change of residence, a student will be allowed to participate in the same sport at two (2) different schools not to exceed, in total, the maximum number of contests in that sport as established by the CIF and/or the CIF Section. (10) Athletically Motivated Valid Change of Residence If a student completes a valid change of residence as provided in Bylaw 206.C.(1-5), a student may not be eligible to participate at any level if there is evidence the move was athletically motivated or the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons (See Bylaw 200; 510.B.-E.) Q: What is meant by an athletically motivated move or transfer? A: Based on the CIF philosophy that students attend school to receive an education first; athletic participation is secondary [Bylaw 200.A.(2)], individual Section Offices may limit eligibility for a student when there is evidence the transfer, or move is made to acquire athletic participation at School B. Such evidence of an athletically motivated move may include, but is not limited to: • Transferring to a School after Participating on a Non-School Athletic Team, Camp or Clinic Associated with the School [Bylaw 510.E.(1)] • Transferring to a School Where a Former High School Coach Has Relocated [Bylaw 510.E.(2)] • A demonstrated move or transfer that is prompted by association with club programs or outside agencies that use the facilities of the new school. • Evidence that multiple students have transferred or changed schools to participate in a particular sports program at one (1) school. (Revised April 2017 Federated Council)
207 — TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY
Effective 2026-07-01A. Determination of Transfer Student Status-Standards of Enrollment - See also Bylaw 201.A. (3) (1) A student shall be considered to be a transfer student when: 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 37 a. The student has attended class at their former school (School A); (Revised April 2016 Federated Council) AND/OR b. The student has played in an athletic contest for their former school; AND/OR c. The student has tried out for or practiced with a team prior to the beginning of the school year for five (5) days or more; AND d. That student withdraws from School A or has completed the courses in which they were enrolled in at School A, so that student is no longer enrolled in any way at School A; AND e. That student enrolls as a full-time student in a new school (School B). THEN that student shall be determined to be enrolled in and having transferred to School B if all conditions of Bylaw 201.A.(1) are met. (2) Students may not practice with or participate in an interscholastic athletic contest for the new school prior to establishing enrollment in the new school meeting these enrollment standards except if they are transferring at the beginning of the school year and practice for that season of sport begins prior to the first day that school and classes begin. These conditions must be met even if prior to this such a student has registered for classes and/or paid a non-refundable registration fee to the new school. a. For eligibility purposes, students cannot have dual enrollment in two (2) different schools at the same time. During the time a student is intending to transfer schools, has registered for classes at the new school and/or paid a non-refundable registration fee at the new school, but still remains enrolled in the former school, the student will be considered to be enrolled in the former school. Only at such time as the student has withdrawn from or has completed the courses in which they were enrolled at the former school, and is no longer enrolled in any way at the former school, shall that student be considered as having transferred to the new school. This applies to 8 th graders matriculating the following school year to 9 th grade in a CIF member school. (3) No one associated with the athletic program at the new school may perpetrate any violation of Bylaw 510 or have inappropriate pre-enrollment contact as outlined in Bylaw 207.C or 510 prior to their enrollment in the new school as defined above. [See also Bylaw 201.A (4)] (Revised April 2016 Federated Council) Q: What is meant by an athletically motivated move or transfer? A: Based on the CIF philosophy that students attend school to receive an education first; athletic participation is secondary [Bylaw 200.A.(2)], individual Section Offices may limit eligibility for a student when there is evidence the transfer, or move is made to acquire athletic participation at School B. Such evidence of an athletically motivated move may include, but is not limited to: • Transferring to a School after Participating on a Non-School Athletic Team, Camp or Clinic Associated with the School [Bylaw 510.E.(1)] • Transferring to a School Where a Former High School Coach Has Relocated [Bylaw 510.E.(2)] • A demonstrated move or transfer that is prompted by association with club programs or outside agencies that use the facilities of the new school. • Evidence that multiple students have transferred or changed schools to participate in a particular sports program at one (1) school. (Revised April 2017 Federated Council) B. CIF Transfer Rule All students transferring at any time during their enrollment in high school to a CIF member school after their initial enrollment in the 9 th grade in any school (referred to as Former School or School A) shall have their eligibility determination made in compliance with the following Bylaw 207.B. except: • Those making a valid change of residence (Bylaw 206); OR • Those transferring to or from a CIF member school under the auspices of a CIF-approved foreign exchange program (Bylaw 208); OR • Those transferring as a result of discipline (Bylaw 209). NOTES: Emancipated Minors: This Bylaw also applies to students 18 years of age or older and emancipated minors. Every Student Succeeds Act: Students transferring to another school under any provision of the federal legislation “Every Student Succeeds Act” are not residentially eligible at their new school. However, a student may become eligible under the provisions of the appropriate CIF Section and CIF State Constitution and Bylaws. (The Elementary Secondary Education Act (Pub.L. 114–95) also known as the Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA, was signed into law on December 10, 2015 by President Obama.) Boarding School: A high school student who transfers to or from the status of a full-time resident at a 24-hour boarding school shall be subject to all provisions of Bylaw 207 with the exception of those making a valid change of residence (Bylaw 206). Q: Is a boarding school student eligible to apply for the Sit Out Period? A: Yes, assuming the student meets all provisions of Bylaw 207.B.(5).b. (Approved April 2018 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION38 (1) Mandatory Applications for Eligibility Determination All such transfer students addressed in Bylaw 207 must complete the respective CIF Section-required Application form (please use local CIF Section Form). This form must be submitted to the CIF Section for an eligibility determination which the CIF Section Commissioner shall render in writing within twenty (20) business days of receipt unless a shorter timeframe has been so designated. No transfer student is eligible to compete for their new school of enrollment until a determination has been made by their respective CIF Section. (See also Bylaws 501, 510 and 700.) (Revised January 2016 Federated Council) (2) Pre-Enrollment Disclosure Requirements [Please see also Bylaws 201.A.(1) & (4) and 510] Any and all pre-enrollment contact of any kind whatsoever with a student must be disclosed by the student, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, and the schools involved to their respective CIF Section office on a completed CIF Pre-Enrollment Contact Affidavit [CIF Form - (please use local CIF Section Form)]. Pre-enrollment contact may include, but is not limited to: any communication of any kind, directly or indirectly, with the student, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, relatives, or friends of the student about the athletic programs at a school; orientation/information programs, shadowing programs; attendance at outside athletic or similar events by anyone associated with the school to observe the student; participation by the student in programs supervised by the school or its associates before enrollment in the school per Bylaws 201.A.(1) & (4). (3) Transfers to a CIF Member School (described as New School or School B) From Schools (described as Former School or School A) Located in the United States, a U.S. Territory, Canada or a U.S. Military Base (referred herein as Domestic Transfers) Such transfer students who meet all other requirements for eligibility outlined in CIF Bylaws will be granted unlimited residential eligibility in all sports at all levels at the new school except: a. In any sport(s) in which the transfer student has competed at any level at the former school(s), or was part of an academy program which competed against a high school or non-school organization during that season of sport, in the 12 calendar months immediately preceding their transfer to the new school, the student will be limited to sub-varsity (limited) eligibility in those sports; (See NOTE #1 and NOTE #1 below) b. No student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two (2) different schools in the same school year; c. If the transfer is determined to be athletically motivated. Athletically motivated transfers may be considered prima facie evidence that the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons and cause the student to be ineligible for participation in those sports in which the student participated at the former school as outlined in Bylaws 510 and 207.C.; d. The transfer is not determined to be based upon a disciplinary situation (See CIF Bylaw 209); e. The student meets all other provisions of all CIF Bylaws. The student shall have unlimited residential eligibility for all sports at all levels under Bylaw 207 after having been enrolled for 12 calendar months from the date of transfer to the new school or in the case where the student returns to the previous school of eligibility as stated below: When a student eligible in School A transfers to School B or any subsequent school and is residentially not eligible, the student may return to School A and shall be determined to be residentially eligible for unlimited participation in interscholastic sports provided the student did not participate in an interscholastic athletic contest while at School B or any subsequent school. (Approved April 2018 Federated Council) NOTE #1: Refer to (5) below for applications for transfer eligibility limitations determinations and exceptions. NOTE #2: For purposes of this bylaw, an “academy” is defined as a non-school organization located in or outside the State of California that consists of a sports development and/or training program, consisting of athletic team(s) that compete against other high school or non-school organization athletic programs. (Approved Federated Council April 2023) (4) International Transfers Not in a CIF-Approved Foreign Exchange Program Students who transfer to a CIF Member school (described as New School or School B) from: a. Any school (described as Former School or School A) which is located outside of the United States, a U.S. Territory, U. S. Military Base or Canada; AND b. Who are not enrolled in the CIF member school under the auspices of a CIF-approved foreign exchange program; AND c. Who meet all other requirements for eligibility in Bylaws. THEN they may be granted unlimited residential eligibility in all sports at all levels at the new school except: 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 39 (i) In any sport(s) in which the transfer student has competed at any level for a club or school team, in the 12 calendar months immediately preceding their transfer to the new school. The student will be limited to sub-varsity (limited) eligibility in those sports. For the purpose of this Bylaw, any and all organized sports programs (e.g. youth teams, community teams, club teams, national teams at any level or individualized instruction for competition in development schools or programs) in which the international student competed on, or participated within the last 12 months, will be considered by the CIF in determining whether the student participated in the equivalent of interscholastic competition. (ii) No student who has participated with a club or school team as described in (i), shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at the CIF member school within the same 12-month period (See also Bylaw 504.L.). (iii) If the transfer is determined to be athletically motivated. Athletically motivated transfers may be considered prima facie evidence that the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons and cause the student to be ineligiblefor participation in those sports in which the student participated at the former school. (See also Bylaw 510) (iv) International students who are not participating in a CIF approved foreign exchange program are not eligible for the Sit Out Provision. The student may be granted unlimited residential eligibility for all sports at all levels under Bylaw 207 after having been enrolled for 12 calendar months from the date of transfer to the new school. In Addition, Such International Transfers Must: d. In order to ensure that an international student meets CIF eligibility requirements including age, scholastic, and residency, a CIF Section may request the submission of supporting documents. In accordance with California law, such documents should not disclose a student or family’s immigration or citizenship status. e. The principal of the new school shall provide the Section with an official un-translated transcript and a transcript that is translated into English, by an agency acceptable to the Section from the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) membership or by qualified school personnel familiar with evaluating and transcribing international transcripts, which indicates work taken in all grades in which the student was enrolled; the grade level equivalent in the United States as if the international student had completed all courses attempted satisfactorily; and the California grade-point average equivalent; AND f. If required, the international transfer student must pay tuition to the school/school district he/ she attends as prescribed in Education Code Section 48052 et seq.; AND g. Be subject to the maximum of eight (8) consecutive semesters Bylaw 204; AND h. Be subject to the age requirement Bylaw 203; AND i. Not have graduated from high school. If they should have graduated, or have completed the equivalent coursework for graduation from high school/secondary school, the student is ineligible to participate in CIF competition; AND j. Not have the school’s coaching staff, paid or voluntary, serve as the resident family for the international transfer student. NOTE: CIF Sections may require individual students to have their school records/transcripts from the school from which they are transferring evaluated by an outside agency at the school's expense. (Revised April 2018 Federated Council/Editorial December 2025) (5) Applications for Transfer Eligibility Limitations, Determinations and Exceptions The CIF recognizes that, in certain circumstances, students may transfer from one (1) school to another due to a compelling hardship need or situation that is beyond a student’s or their family’s control. In response to such cases, the CIF allows for the CIF Section to make an exception to the limited eligibility status whenever they transfer and the case meets one (1) of the hardship circumstances outlined in Bylaw 207.B.(5)c.(viii). The first time a student transfers in high school, they may utilize the Sit Out Period exception covered in Bylaw 207.B.(5)b. below if they meet all of the conditions required. Any student whose transfer circumstances do not meet the conditions required by these two (2) options, will have their residential eligibility determined in compliance with 207.B.(5)a. as long as they meet the conditions required in that Bylaw. (Revised April 2018 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION40 a. Limited Eligibility Applications Any student who submits a limited eligibility application to their respective CIF Section may be made eligible to play at the sub-varsity level in any sports in which they have participated at any previous school in the 12 months prior to this transfer under the following conditions: (i) The student was academically eligible at the time of transfer from the former school. Students who are academically ineligible at their previous school will not be eligible to compete at their new school until the requirements in Bylaw 205 are met and the new school has completed a grading period to verify that the student has met the CIF and school district academic eligibility requirements. A student cannot gain academic probation at the new school to fulfill this requirement if not available at prior school; AND (ii) The principal of the former school attests in writing that the move was not made in violation of Bylaw 510; AND (iii) The student is not transferring either voluntarily or because their former school has determined they must withdraw, because of a disciplinary infraction at the former school as defined in Bylaw 209.C. (1); AND (iv) The student is not found by the CIF Section to have transferred to a school where their former high school coach has relocated or where a club coach, with whom they have been associated, is coaching per Bylaw 207.C.(4) or (5); AND (v) No student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two (2) different schools in the same school year unless the student changed schools as a result of a valid change of residence or pursuant to a hardship approved by their respective CIF Section; AND (vi) A completed Limited Transfer Application (please use local CIF Section Form) is received by the respective CIF Section office and has been processed and approved; AND (vii) The student who is approved by their respective CIF Section office and competes in a contest at the sub-varsity level following such approval and before the Sit Out Period (SOP) dates described in B.(5)b.(ix) below, is ineligible for and may not compete at the varsity level in that sport for the remainder of that school year. This applies through the end of any Section, Regional or State Championship finals in that sport; AND (viii) The student has not been determined by their respective CIF/Section Office or the CIF to have made a transfer or change in schools in violation of Bylaw 510. b. Varsity Eligibility Applications (Non-Hardship Sit Out Period) Any student who transfers for the first time since their initial enrollment in the 9 th grade in any school, or if the first transfer of schools for this student was granted due to an approved CIF hardship [see Bylaw 207.B.(5).c], or a valid change of residence and whose circumstances causing the transfer do not meet any of the Hardship Exceptions outlined in c.(viii) on following page, may become eligible for varsity competition for the sport(s) in which they competed in the last 12 months at the former school or any other school, upon submission, review and approval by their respective CIF Section under the following provisions: (i) This is the student’s first transfer since they first enrolled anywhere in the 9 th grade or had their first transfer determined to be a CIF hardship circumstance [Bylaw 207.B.(5).c.]; or a valid change of residence; AND (ii) The student was academically eligible at the time of transfer from the former school; AND (iii) The principal of the former school attests in writing that the move was not made in violation of Bylaw 510; AND (iv) The student is not transferring either voluntarily or because their former school has determined they must withdraw, because of a disciplinary infraction at the former school as defined in Bylaw 209.C. (1); AND (v) The student is not found by the CIF Section to have transferred to a school where their former high school coach has relocated or where a club coach with whom they have been associated is coaching, per Bylaw 207.C.(4) or (5); AND (vi) The student has not been determined by their respective CIF/Section Office or the CIF to have made a transfer or change in schools in violation of Bylaw 510; AND (vii) No student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two (2) different schools in the same school year unless the student changed schools as a result of a valid change of residence or pursuant to a hardship approved by their respective CIF Section; AND (viii) The student has not competed at the new school at the sub-varsity level in that sport following the transfer during the current school year; AND 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 41 (ix) The student shall remain out of any competition at any level in each sport in which they competed in the last 12 months at the former school or any other school in accordance with the following Sit Out Periods (SOP) [per Bylaw 207.B.(3): NOTE: In any sport(s) in which the transfer student has competed at any level at the former school(s) in the 12 calendar months immediately preceding their transfer to the new school, the student will be limited to sub-varsity (limited) eligibility in those sports (Bylaw 207.B.(3)a.) (Editorial June 2021) The Sit Out Period will be 50% of the total number days in that particular season of sport. The number of days in a season is determined by each Section in accordance with their first allowable competition date through the final regular season competition date. If total number of days in a season is an odd number, then the Sit Out Period would be 50% plus one additional day. (Revised October 2017 Federated Council) • The student who transfers to a school after School B’s first contest will have an SOP equivalent in calendar days to the SOP of all other students who transferred before the season started. The respective CIF Section Office will provide the actual date once the proper forms are received, reviewed and approved. Q: My son was denied the Sit Out Period. May we appeal this ruling? A: No. Q. How is the SOP determined for a Traditional Competitive Cheer transfer? A. Because the CIF recognizes Traditional Competitive Cheer programs in each of the three (3) seasons of CIF competition, transfers seeking the SOP for Traditional Competitive Cheer will work directly with their Section office on a case-by-case situation. c. Unlimited Eligibility Applications Exceptions to the determination of limited eligibility under Bylaw 207.B. (application for unlimited residential eligibility in all sports) may be applied for by the new school [CIF Form – (please use local CIF Section Form)] on behalf of the student. Consideration for unlimited residential eligibility will be given by the respective CIF Section upon review of the application only under the following provisions. (i) The student was scholastically eligible at the time of transfer from the former school. Students who are scholastically ineligible at their previous school will not be eligible to compete at their new school until the requirements in Bylaw 205 are met and the new school has completed a grading period to verify that the student has met the CIF and school district scholastic eligibility requirements. A student cannot gain academic probation at the new school to fulfill this requirement if not available at prior school; AND (ii) The student is NOT transferring, either voluntarily or because their former school has determined they must withdraw, because of a disciplinary infraction at the former school as defined in Bylaw 209.C.(1); AND (iii) The student is not found by the CIF Section to have transferred to a school where their former high school coach has relocated or where a club coach, with whom they have been associated, is coaching per Bylaw 207.C.(4) or (5) & 510.E; AND (iv) The student has not been determined by their respective CIF/Section Office or the CIF to have made a transfer or change in schools in violation of Bylaw 510; AND (v) The student has not competed at the new school at the sub-varsity level in that sport at any time following the transfer to the new school; students who chose to play at the sub-varsity level under the provisions outlined in (5)a. (Limited Eligibility Applications) above may not subsequently be granted unlimited eligibility for that same sport during the same season at the new school; AND (vi) No student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two (2) different schools in the same school year unless the student changed schools as a result of a valid change of residence or pursuant to a hardship approved by their respective CIF Section; AND (vii) A completed Unlimited Transfer Application (please use local CIF Section Form) and documentation required by the CIF Section is received by the respective CIF Section office and has been processed, reviewed and approved; AND (viii) One (1) of the following hardship circumstances is documented to the satisfaction of the respective CIF Section: CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION42 (a) Court-Ordered Transfers Unlimited eligibility may be granted by the CIF Section in which the student’s new school is located in cases where a student is residentially placed from one (1) school attendance area to the attendance area of the new school by a court order or a child protection order and all provisions listed above in c.(i-vii) are met. The student may be determined to have unlimited residential eligibility upon receipt of the CIF application (please use local CIF Section Form) and sufficient documentation (including but not limited to a copy of the court order) to satisfy that CIF Section Commissioner that the circumstances meet this criteria. The student will become eligible for varsity competition upon notification to the new school of the approval of such an application by the CIF Section. (b) Children of Divorced Parents Unlimited eligibility may be granted by the CIF Section in which the student’s new school is located when a student changes residence from one (1) parent’s domicile to the other parent’s domicile as a result of a court-ordered custody change, or court ordered or approved joint custody agreements and all provisions listed above in c.(i-vii) are met. The student may be determined to have unlimited residential eligibility upon receipt of the CIF application (please use local CIF Section Form) and sufficient documentation (including but not limited to a copy of the divorce papers and custody agreements) to satisfy that CIF Section Commissioner that the circumstances meet this criteria. The student will become eligible for varsity competition upon notification to the new school of the approval of such an application by the CIF Section. (c) Individual Student Safety Incidents Unlimited eligibility may be granted by the CIF Section in which the student’s new school is located when a student is transferring as a result of a specific, documented safety incident in which the student was involved and all provisions listed above in c.(i-vii) are met. The student may be determined to have unlimited residential eligibility upon receipt of the CIF application (please use local CIF Section Form) and sufficient documentation is submitted to satisfy that CIF Section Commissioner that the circumstances meet this criteria. Required documentation may include, but is not limited to, administrative records and documentation from the former school about the specific safety incident that occurred at the former school and/or police records (if any). The student will become eligible for varsity competition upon notification to the new school of the approval of such an application by the CIF Section. (d) Discontinued Program When the former school, in which a student has been enrolled, discontinues a particular program in which the student had previously been enrolled or participated, and that student transfers to another school because of these circumstances, the student shall be determined to be residentially eligible for unlimited participation in the new school provided that new school offers a continuation of that same program and the student can show documentation that they were enrolled in or participated in that program at the former school and are currently enrolled or participating in that same program at the new school. (e) Foster Children or Homeless Children A student who: (1) is under the court-ordered supervision of the California Foster Care System who has changed residences pursuant to a court order and as a result, has transferred schools, OR (2) is homeless as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 11302; shall be determined to be residentially eligible for unlimited participation in interscholastic athletics provided all other CIF rules and regulations are met. Under circumstance (1), a change of residence ordered by a social worker of the California Foster Care System shall be acceptable, provided all other CIF rules and regulations are met. Under circumstance (2), a determination by a Local Education Agency that the student meets the definition of homeless shall be acceptable, provided all other CIF rules and regulations are met. A subsequent transfer of schools by a homeless student while continuing to reside in the same 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 43 residence/locale where the LEA declared the student “homeless” is subject to the transfer provisions of Bylaw 207. Section Commissioners shall render eligibility determinations for foster children and homeless children within 15 business days of receipt. (Revised January 2016 Federated Council) (f) Military Service A student shall be determined to be residentially eligible for unlimited participation interscholastic athletics when returning from military service provided: • The student was eligible when the student entered into the Armed Forces; AND • The student enrolls in the same school which the student attended before leaving for the service, or enrolls in the school in the district in which the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/ caregiver reside; AND • The student enrolls in the school no later than the succeeding semester after being discharged; AND • Provided student did not receive a dishonorable discharge; AND • The student is fully eligible under all other rules of the CIF. (g) Married Status A student who marries and lives with the student’s spouse shall be determined to be residentially eligible for unlimited participation in interscholastic athletics in the school in the attendance area in which the student and their spouse resides. (h) Board of Education Ruling A student, or group of students, who transfer as a direct result of a ruling by the Board of Education of a school district that has two (2) or more high schools and which mandates a change of school attendance boundaries shall be determined to be residentially eligible for unlimited participation in interscholastic athletics in the school in the attendance area in which the student(s) are required to attend, provided the Board of Education Ruling is not a result of a disciplinary situation. (Revised April 2018 Federated Council) (May 2019 Removed (i) Open Enrollment Act Schools/Low Achieving Schools as it was eliminated by the State Legislature) d. Appeals All eligibility determinations made by the respective CIF Section office under the provisions of Bylaw 207.B.(5)c. are final as all of these hardship circumstances are factual in nature and can be documented. Students whose eligibility determinations are made because they do not meet one (1) of the criteria outlined below in Bylaw 207.C. or in Bylaw 510 may appeal that portion of their eligibility determination in accordance with Bylaw 1100. Students may appeal a determination by their respective CIF Section if they have been found to not meet the following criteria: (i) Bylaw 207.B.(5)a.(iv) or b.(v) or c.(iii) (Revised April 2017 Federated Council) C. Pre-Enrollment Communication or Contact (Domestic and International Transfers) A student who transfers from School A to School B, as described in Bylaws 207.A. and 207.B. above, shall not be eligible for interscholastic athletics at School B until application under the appropriate CIF Section procedures is completed, including the following: (1) Mandatory Parent/Student Certification [Please see also Bylaws 201.A.(1) & (4), 207.B.(2) and 510] Any and all pre-enrollment contact of any kind whatsoever with a student must be disclosed by the student, parent(s)/ guardian(s)/caregiver, and the schools involved to their respective CIF Section office on a completed CIF Pre-Enrollment Contact Affidavit [CIF Form - (please use local CIF Section Form)]. Pre-enrollment contact may include, but is not limited to: any communication of any kind, directly or indirectly, with the student, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, relatives, or friends of the student about the athletic programs at a school; orientation/information programs, shadowing programs; attendance at outside athletic or similar events by anyone associated with the school to observe the student; participation by the student in programs supervised by the school or its associates before enrollment in the school per Bylaws 201.A.(1) and (4). CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION44 (2) Mandatory Former School Certification The principal and athletic director of School A shall attest that to the best of their knowledge they have no credible evidence* of any person: who is connected with the athletic department of School B; who is part of the booster club of School B; or who is acting on their behalf, having communication, directly or indirectly, through intermediaries or otherwise, with the transfer student, student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/ caregiver, or anyone acting on behalf of the student, prior to the completion of the enrollment process. Definition of Credible Evidence *Credible evidence is considered as evidence which proceeds from a trustworthy source; evidence which is so natural, reasonable and probable as to make it easy to believe; information which is obtained from authentic sources or from the statements of persons who are not only trustworthy, but also informed as to the particular matter; that which is not mere speculation, or rumor. (3) Mandatory New School Certification The principal, athletic director and head coach of School B shall certify that to the best of their knowledge, no person: who is connected with the athletic department of School B; who is part of the booster club of School B; or who is acting on their behalf, has had communication, directly or indirectly, through intermediaries or otherwise, with the transfer student, student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, or anyone acting on behalf of the student, prior to the completion of the enrollment process. (4) Club Coach Association with New School (student transfers to a new school which a coach from the student’s non-CIF sports participation experience is associated) The transfer of a student from his or her current school of attendance with or without a valid change of residence (Bylaw 206) to any CIF member high school where the student participated, during the previous 24 months, on a non-school athletic team, (i.e. AAU, American Legion, club team, etc.) that is associated with the new school in the sports previously participated in shall be considered prima facie evidence (sufficient evidence) of undue influence/recruiting by the school to which the student transfers. Such transfer may be considered prima facie evidence (sufficient evidence) that the student enrolled in that school in whole or part for athletic reasons. A team associated with the school is one that is organized by and/or coached by any member of the coaching staff at, or any other person associated** with, that school and/or on which the majority of the members of the team (Participants in practice and/or competition) are students who attend that school. When a prima facie case (sufficient evidence) of undue influencing/recruiting exists, the student shall be ineligible to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date of the student’s enrollment in the new school in all sports in which the student participated at any school in the last 12 months and/or the sport with which the coach referenced herein is associated, unless sufficient proof is presented to the satisfaction of the Section Commissioner that rebuts or disproves the evidence of undue influence/recruiting for athletic reasons. NOTE: For clarification of CIF Bylaws 207.C (4) and 510.E (1) and the application of these Bylaws, a person “associated with the new school,” may include an individual who is or was acting as the student athlete’s club director, club owner, or occupying a similar role within a club or non-school athletic team. (Editorial June 2025) Definition of Persons Associated With School **Defined as: Persons associated with a school include, but are not limited to; current or former coaches, current or former athletes, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver of current or former student/athletes, booster club members, alumni, spouses or relatives of coaches, teachers and other employees, coaches who become employed, active applicants for coaching positions, and persons who are employed by companies or organizations that have donated athletic supplies, equipment or apparel to that school. (5) Relocation of Former High School Coach (Domestic and International Transfers) A student at any grade level who transfers to a new school within one (1) calendar year of the relocation of his/her former high school coach to that school with or without a corresponding valid change in residence shall be considered prima facie evidence (sufficient evidence) of undue influence/recruiting by the school to which the student transfers or may be considered prima facie evidence (sufficient evidence) that the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons (See Bylaw 510). When a prima facie (sufficient evidence) case of undue influence/recruiting exists, the student shall be ineligible to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date of the student’s enrollment in the new school in all sports in which the student participated at any school in the last 12 months and/or the sport with which the coach referenced herein is associated, unless sufficient proof is presented to the satisfaction of the Section Commissioner that rebuts or disproves the evidence of undue influence/recruiting for athletic reasons. (6) Athletically Motivated Transfers (Copied from Bylaw 510.E.) The CIF, as the governing body of high school athletics, affirms that athletic competition is an important part of the high school experience and that participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege. The privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics is available to students in public or private schools who meet the democratically established standards of qualification as set forth by the Federated Council. As stated in CIF Bylaw 200.A.(6) the CIF Bylaws shall serve as a deterrent to students who transfer or 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 45 change schools for athletic reasons and to individuals who attempt to recruit (unduly influence) student- athletes or their parents to enroll in a school because of athletics. As stated in CIF Bylaw 200.A.(2) the CIF Bylaws reinforce the principle that students attend school to receive an education first; athletic participation is secondary. CIF Bylaws provide for individual Section Offices to limit eligibility for a student when there is evidence the transfer, or move is made to acquire athletic participation at their new school (School B). Students may be determined by their respective CIF/Section Office or the CIF to have made an athletically motivated transfer or change in schools under any of the basis listed in CIF Bylaw 510.E.(1)-(3). (Revised April 2017 Federated Council) (7) Disclosure Any pre-enrollment communication as described above must be disclosed in full, and in writing, to the appropriate Section. The Section Commissioner shall determine if the pre-enrollment communication is a violation of Bylaw 510. (8) Clearance of Pre-Enrollment Contact A student with whom contact or communication has occurred, as described in C.(1) above, and who meets all other CIF Section transfer waiver requirements, may become eligible upon determination that: a. The communication was completely unrelated to any aspect of School B; AND b. Was of a type that, from the objective point of view of a reasonable person disinterested in the win/loss record of School B, does not have an effect upon the integrity of interscholastic athletics at School A or School B. (9) Penalties Failure to disclose pre-enrollment communication with School B persons, identified in C.(2) above, to disclose any pre- enrollment contact, or communicate in writing to the appropriate Section as described in C.(3) above may result in: a. A forfeiture of all games in which the student participated; AND/OR b. Disqualification from playoff and championship competition for all seasons in which the student is a member of the school’s team. (A student shall be considered a member of the school’s team if he or she participated in any aspect of an interscholastic contest, no matter how brief such participation may have been); AND/OR c. Divestment from the school of all trophies, banners and other indicia of athletic success obtained while the student was a member of the school’s team. (10) Appeals Students whose eligibility determination is made by the Section Commissioner that the prima facie evidence has not been successfully rebutted by sufficient proof to satisfy said Commissioner under the provisions of Bylaws 207.C.(4), (5), or (6) and/or 510 may appeal that portion of their eligibility determination in accordance with Bylaw 1100. DEFINITION OF TERMS Immediate Family — Includes parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, stepparents and minor siblings with whom the student resided when Initial Residential Eligibility was established. Initial Residential Eligibility — Under CIF rules and regulations, students establish their Initial Residential Eligibility at their school of choice entering the 9th grade or the 10th grade of a three (3)-year high school. Limited Eligibility — Students granted limited eligibility are limited for one (1)-year (from the date of transfer) to non-varsity competition in the CIF sports they participated in during the previous 12 calendar months but may participate in varsity competition in all other CIF sports. Prima Facie — A legal term that means at first sight; on the first appearance; on the face of it; a fact presumed to be true unless disproved by some evidence to the contrary. A prima facie case is one in which the evidence presented is sufficient proof for the plaintiff (Section) to win its case of undue influence. In such a case, the defendant (school) must successfully refute the evidence for the student to gain eligibility. (Revised February 2017 Federated Council) 208. FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS A foreign exchange student is a transfer student from one (1) school to another without a valid change of residence (See Bylaw 206.C.) under the auspices of a CIF-approved foreign exchange program. A. Students Transferring to a CIF Member School Under the Auspices of a CIF-Approved Foreign Exchange Program Foreign Exchange students transferring under the auspices of a CIF-approved foreign exchange program from a school located outside the United States, a U.S. Military Base, a U.S. Territory or Canada to a CIF member school may be granted unlimited residential eligibility for all CIF athletic competition if all of the following conditions apply: (1) Such student must be under the auspices of, and be placed with a host family in the United States by a foreign exchange program that meets all the requirements listed below: The program has been accepted for listing by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET); AND The program has submitted a signed CIF Foreign Exchange Program Approval Request Form: CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION46 a. Stating that their placement procedures for foreign exchange students are purely random with respect to athletic participation and school placement; AND b. Stating that there shall be no school, coach, community, relative or friend contact related to athletics regarding the enrollment of any student in a particular school; AND c. Has been approved by the CIF; AND d. The program has been recognized by the U.S. State Department and the California Office of the Attorney General, and the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET); AND e. Any CIF-approved foreign exchange program that fails to fulfill the CIF conditions for exempt status shall be subject to immediate suspension of its exempt status and subject to permanent loss of its exempt status after due process has been fulfilled. All approved programs will be posted on the CIF website (www.cifstate.org) NOTE: Only foreign exchange programs registered with the California Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. State Department may place foreign exchange students in a California School (Government Code Section 12620 et seq.). The CIF-approved list of programs posted on the CIF website, reflects the programs approved by CIF that are also registered with the California Office of the Attorney General, the U.S. State Department, and the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). No other exchange programs will be recognized by the CIF as approved exchange programs for 2025-26. (2) A foreign exchange student shall have been placed with a host family in compliance with this Bylaw and Bylaw 510 (Undue Influence). Such student will have the choice of attending: a. The public school in the host family’s public school attendance area; OR b. A private school located in the host family’s public school attendance area; OR c. To gain residential eligibility at any other school, the student must receive written approval from both the principal of the public school located in the host family’s attendance area and the principal of the other school; OR d. In the event of a change of placement by the CIF-Approved Foreign Exchange Program, a different public school or private school with written approval from the principal of the new school. (See host family requirements in (2) a. and b. above) NOTE: A foreign exchange student is considered to be placed with a host family when written notice of placement is provided by the exchange organization to the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, and to the host family; (3) Neither the school the foreign exchange student attends, nor any person associated with the school, shall have input into the selection of the foreign exchange student; AND (4) No foreign exchange student may play varsity sports if any member of the host family is a coach, paid or volunteer, at the school of attendance; AND (Revised April 2018 Federated Council) (5) A foreign exchange student involved in an approved foreign exchange program where placement is not in accordance with CIF conditions for exempt status is subject to loss of his/her residential eligibility (waiver of the transfer rule); AND (6) A foreign exchange student must possess a current visa, issued by the U.S. State Department; AND (7) A foreign exchange student must comply with all eligibility requirements set forth by the CIF and the Section having jurisdiction; AND (8) A foreign exchange student who graduated from high school is ineligible to participate in CIF competition, unless the educational program in the student’s country completes high school (graduation) after the student’s 10 th or 11 th year of regular schooling (not including pre-school or kindergarten classes), in which case the student may have CIF athletic eligibility through the 12 th consecutive year of regular school attendance after initially enrolling in the first grade (not pre-school or kindergarten classes); AND (9) A foreign exchange student who changes from a J-1 visa to any other type of visa that requires them to change schools, are subject to Bylaw 207.B.(5)a. and c. and cannot be made eligible for Bylaw 207.B.(5) b. (Sit Out Period) since this would constitute their second transfer; AND (10) A foreign exchange student participating in a CIF-approved foreign exchange program must comply with the maximum of eight (8) consecutive semesters Bylaw. A foreign exchange student who is not in compliance with the eight (8) consecutive semesters Bylaw may apply for a waiver under the Bylaws established by the CIF and the respective Section of the student’s current CIF school; AND (11) A foreign exchange student must be eligible under all other State and Section Bylaws; AND (12) All foreign exchange students in CIF-approved foreign exchange programs shall submit the appropriate waiver application(s) as required by their respective Section under Bylaw 208 with a CIF Pre- Enrollment Contact Affidavit [CIF Form - (please use local CIF Section Form)] signed by the student and a host parent (part 1), and the enrolling school official(s) (part 3). Foreign students in CIF-approved foreign exchange programs need not obtain signatures of officials from their former school; AND 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 47 (13) A foreign exchange student who participates in an interscholastic athletic contest or is enrolled in and/ or attended a class shall be considered to have been enrolled in that school and shall be classified as a transfer student if the student subsequently enrolls at another school. (Revised April 2016 Federated Council) B. CIF Students Transferring Back to a CIF Member School from Study Abroad A CIF student who, after being enrolled in a CIF member school (referred to as School A), transfers to a school located outside the United States, a U.S. Territory, a U.S. Military Base or Canada (to be referred to as School B) and who, following completion of the study abroad, transfers back to school A, may be granted unlimited residential eligibility for all CIF athletic competition when the following conditions are met: (1) The student is returning to the same CIF member school in which they were enrolled immediately prior to their enrollment in the foreign school; AND (2) There is no evidence that the transfer to or from the foreign country was athletically motivated (see also Bylaw 510); AND (3) There is no evidence of the use of undue influence (recruiting) by anyone associated with either school; AND (4) The CIF student is in compliance with all eligibility requirements set forth by the CIF and the Section having jurisdiction; AND (5) The CIF student must comply with the maximum of eight (8) consecutive semester Bylaw. If a student has exceeded eight (8) consecutive semesters of attendance upon return from the study abroad, they may apply for a waiver under the Bylaws established by the CIF and the respective Section of the student’s CIF member school. All CIF students returning from the study abroad shall submit the appropriate waiver application(s) for approval as required by their respective Section. NOTE: This study abroad provision may be used only one time, for up to two consecutive semesters, during a CIF student’s eight (8) consecutive semesters in high school. (Revised May 2020 Federated Council) C. Appeals Appeals of eligibility involving foreign exchange transfer students from a foreign country must be in accordance with all relevant provisions of the CIF appeal process as set forth in Bylaw 1100.
209 — DISCIPLINE, EXPULSION AND TRANSFER FOR DISCIPLINARY REASONS
Effective 2026-07-01A. Expulsion A student who is expelled by a public school district in the State of California pursuant to the provisions of Education Code Section 48900 et seq., or from a public school from any other State, or any private or parochial school or district, shall be ineligible to practice or compete with any CIF team or individual sport program that is under the jurisdiction of the CIF for the period of the expulsion. B. Suspended Expulsion A student who has been expelled and has the expulsion suspended by the school board or board of directors and remains at his/her current school may be eligible so long as all other CIF State and CIF Section requirements are met. The conditions under which this student may be eligible will be determined by the local school board or board of directors. If the student is deemed eligible to participate, the conditions of his/her eligibility must be sent to the appropriate CIF Section office. C. Disciplinary Transfer (1) If a student transfers from a public or private school when a disciplinary action is in place or pending, and the offense is specifically related to and/or listed in Education Code Section 48915, that student shall be ineligible for competition in all sports for one (1) year from the date of the transfer to the new school. (Revised May 2020 Federated Council/Revised April 2025 Federated Council) (2) A student, permitted by the principal to return to the school compelling the disciplinary transfer, may be granted unrestricted athletic eligibility by the Section if the student did not participate in any athletic program at the transfer school; compete for the transfer school; and, at the time of the transfer, conditions for return were established by the school administration that include, but are not limited to: a. Satisfactory attendance criteria; AND b. Applicable behavior standards; AND c. Academic performance standards; AND d. Principal’s approval of the return based upon documented evidence provided by the transfer school that the student satisfactorily complied with all conditions for return. (May 1997 Federated Council/Revised May 2003 Federated Council/Revised May 2005 Federated Council)
211 — CONTINUATION SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY
Effective 2026-07-01A. Current Eligibility While enrolled in a continuation school, a student is only eligible to represent the continuation school of attendance. B. Transfer Eligibility A student who transfers from continuation school to the student’s school of residential eligibility is eligible immediately provided: (1) The student is currently enrolled in the school of residential eligibility in at least 20 semester credits of work. (2) The student was currently passing in at least 20 semester credits of work or a maximum program in the continuation school when the student transferred to the school of residential eligibility. (3) The student is maintaining minimum progress toward meeting the high school graduation requirements as prescribed by the governing board. (4) The student has maintained during the previous grading period a minimum of passing grades which is defined as at least an unweighted 2.0 grade-point average, on a 4.0 scale, in all enrolled courses. a. Probationary Period The governing board of each school district, private school, or parochial school may adopt, as part of its policy, provisions that would allow a student who does not achieve educational progress in items (3) or (4) above in the previous grading period to remain eligible to participate in interscholastic activities during a probationary period. The probationary period shall not exceed one (1) semester in length, but may be for a shorter period of time as determined by the governing board of the school district, private school, or parochial school. A student who does not achieve educational progress, as defined in items (3) or (4), during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics in the subsequent grading period. For the purpose of determining the maximum length of a semester, the measure should be the maximum as used in that school. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 49 (5) Student was eligible under all rules at the time student was transferred from student’s school of residential eligibility to continuation school. Exception: If a student spends a full grading period or more in the continuation school and passes all required subjects which that continuation school considers to be a full program, even if it is less than 20 semester credits, the student is eligible immediately upon transfer to student’s school of residential eligibility as long as the student meets the requirements of Bylaw 205.B.(1). (6) Semesters of attendance at continuation school are to be counted as part of student’s eligibility as defined in Bylaw 204. (7) The student was not compelled to transfer to the continuation program for disciplinary reasons or the student was not administratively placed in the continuation program as a result of expulsion, suspended expulsion or rehabilitation program pursuant to re-admittance following expulsion. (If the student was compelled to transfer under disciplinary reasons, please refer to the process under Bylaw 209.C.). (Approved May 2003 Federated Council)
212 — AMATEUR STATUS
Effective 2026-07-01A. CIF Sponsored Competition and Individual Endorsements A student is governed by CIF amateur rules when the student participates in CIF competition. A student who violates CIF amateur or award rules shall be penalized according to D. below. B. Reinstatement of Amateur Status A student will become ineligible for CIF competition in a given sport if the student is determined to be a professional by the national sports governing body (NSGB) for the sport in question. A student may apply for reinstatement of his/her amateur status through the Section in which the student competes. Any request for reinstatement must include a statement from the NSGB for the sport in question that the student’s amateur status has been reinstated by the appropriate NSGB. C. Violations in CIF Sponsored Competitionand Individual Endorsements A student shall be penalized according to D. below for the following violations related to CIF competition or individual endorsements: (*See caution below) (1) Receiving, from any and all sources, athletic awards totaling more than $250.00 in value for: a. Accomplishments in any regular season CIF high school competition event; NOTE: Typical examples of regular season CIF high school competition event include, but are not limited to, any league or non-league dual contest and invitational tournament held prior to any season- culminating league, Section, Region and/or State Playoff competition. b. A recognition award program, such as “Player of the Week”/“Month,” for any regular season CIF high school competition. (2) Receiving, from any and all sources, athletic awards totaling more than $500.00 in value for any post- regular season CIF high school competition or recognition program; NOTE: For purposes of this Bylaw only, league, Section, Regional and State Playoff competition is considered to be one (1) continuous event. NOTE: The dollar value of an award, exclusive of engraving, shall be determined by the following criteria: a. The retail price paid by the last purchaser in the acquisition of the award; b. When the host school or league purchases the award, the retail price paid by the host school or league; c. When the award is donated by another entity, the retail price paid by or cost to that entity. (3) Wearing a school team uniform or any identifying school insignia while appearing in any advertisement, promotional activity or endorsement for any commercial product or service; (4) Lending his/her name and team affiliation for purposes of commercial endorsement. Any appearances by students for nonprofit organizations must be approved by the Board of Trustees concerned. This provision is not intended to restrict the right of any student to participate in a commercial endorsement provided there is no school team or school affiliation; NOTE: 212.C.(3) and (4) above also includes advertisement, promotional activity, endorsement or affiliation of league, CIF Section(s), or CIF State (see Q&A below). Q: May a student-athlete participate in an advertisement, promotional activity, or endorsement while affiliated with a league, CIF Section(s), or CIF State? A: No. (5) Accepting payment for loss of time or wages while participating in CIF competition; (6) Receiving payment for coaching a team in CIF competition. *CAUTION: Compliance with these Bylaws does not ensure maintenance of eligibility under the eligibility standards of other athletic organizations (e.g. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA and National Sports Governing Body, etc.). Students desiring information on the amateur rules of other organizations must communicate with the respective organization. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION50 D. Penalties for violations in CIF Sponsored Competition and Individual Endorsements (1) A student determined by their respective CIF Section to have violated any provision of 212.C.(1-6) above shall be penalized according to the sanctions listed below: a. First Violation: The student shall receive a formal warning and return any award(s) in excess of the maximum amounts allowed in 212.C.(1) and (2) above; and/or at the direction of the Section immediately remove any advertisement, promotional activity, or endorsement depicting the student’s affiliation with their school, league, CIF Section(s), or the CIF State as noted in 212.C.(3) and (4) and the accompanying Note. b. Second Violation: The student shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for a period of one (1) year from the date of CIF’s determination of the second violation. c. Third Violation: The student shall be banned from interscholastic athletics for the remainder of the student’s eligibility. NOTE: It is expected that the CIF member school will ensure adherence to any of the above penalties imposed on their student. (Revised May 2004 Executive Committee/Revised May 2009 Federated Council/Revised April 2023 Federated Council)
213 — HARDSHIP WAIVERS OTHER THAN TRANSFER
Effective 2026-07-01A hardship is defined as an unforeseeable, unavoidable, and uncorrectable act, condition or event, which causes the imposition of a severe and non-athletic burden upon the student or his/her family. Due to hardship circumstances experienced by the student, the following Bylaws may be waived, provided that the Section has established rules and procedures regulating hardship waivers. Waivers granted by a Section are not transferable to another Section. Applications to waive the following Bylaws must be submitted to the CIF Section for an eligibility determination, which the CIF Section Commissioner shall render in writing within 20 business days of receipt. Section Commissioners shall render eligibility determinations for foster children and homeless children within 15 business days of receipt. (Revised April 2016 Federated Council) A. 20 Semester Credit Requirement (Bylaw 205.C.) B. Charged Semester of Attendance (Bylaw 204) C. Age Requirement (Bylaw 203)
215 — INTERCOLLEGIATE PARTICIPATION
Effective 2026-07-01A student who participates in an intercollegiate athletic contest prior to the completion of his/her eight (8) consecutive semesters of high school eligibility shall be ineligible for high school participation in that sport for the duration of the student’s high school enrollment. (See also Bylaws 600.G and 702. and corresponding Q&A’s.) (Approved February 2003 Federated Council) Q: What is defined as a collegiate track meet and/or intercollegiate competition? A: A collegiate track meet and/or intercollegiate competition is one in which collegiate athletes are competing for or representing their school. 216. GRADUATES High school graduates are not eligible for CIF competition and are not subject to CIF rules except as noted below in A. and B. A recent graduate game is outside the jurisdiction of the CIF. A. Mid-Year/Spring Graduation (1) Mid-Year: Students completing graduation requirements mid-year and no longer enrolled become immediately ineligible for further CIF competition. (2) Spring: Students graduating at the end of a school’s Spring semester shall have continuing eligibility until all CIF Spring competition is completed. B. California Proficiency Program (CPP) A student who successfully passes the California Proficiency Program (CPP) and withdraws from high school has one opportunity to re-enroll in high school and be eligible immediately for athletic competition provided the student: (1) Was eligible under all rules of the CIF at the time of withdrawal from school; AND (2) Meets all rules of the CIF other than a. and b. under Bylaw 205.B.(1) at the time of re-enrollment; AND (3) Re-enrolls in the same school which the student attended prior to withdrawal, or enrolls in the school of the attendance area to which the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility have moved; AND (4) Is within four (4) years of the student’s first entry into the 9 th grade. (Revised May 2003 Federated Council/Editorial May 2026) ARTICLE 30 SCHOOL REGULATIONS (300 Series revised May 2014 Federated Council)
22 — MEMBERSHIP/CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP
Effective 2026-07-01A. Membership in the California Interscholastic Federation shall be open to public, charter and private high schools of the State of California. The CIF Section in which the school is located may grant membership according to the Section’s policies and procedures. NOTE: All CIF member schools must have a current CDS Code. (Editorial May 2023) B. As a condition of membership and continuing membership a member school agrees to: (1) Request to join the CIF State and the CIF Section at a public meeting of the local school board or board of directors; (2) To abide by all current rules and regulations of the CIF State and CIF Section; (3) To ensure that the local school board or board of directors will adopt the 16 Principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor sm by a board resolution; (4) Accept as a member school the responsibility to educate student-athletes, coaches, parent(s)/guardian(s)/ caregiver and other appropriate persons on the CIF State and CIF Section Constitution and Bylaws, Policies and Procedures adopted by the governing body; (5) Ensure that the administrative decisions of the Federated Council, Executive Committee, Executive Director, Section Board of Managers, Section Commissioner and all state and sectional appeal decisions shall be accepted in good faith by all member schools. The principal of any member school, who, by any act or attitude, shall refuse to accept, or shall hold in contempt or derision, or shall permit or acquiesce in such contempt or derision on the part of any group of individuals associated with his/her school, shall subject his/her school to possible sanctions, suspension and/or expulsion from the Section and/or State membership. These provisions are not to be construed as preventing the principal of a member school from exercising his/her school’s right to due process; 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 17 (6) Abide by all decisions made by the CIF governing body having jurisdiction in the matter. If a member school, or that school’s governing body files suit in a court of law against the CIF and/or one of its Sections and the CIF and/or its Section prevails, the member school shall reimburse the CIF and/or its Section for all legal fees and reasonable expenses incurred by the CIF and/or its Section in connection with the suit to remain a member in good standing; (7) Ensure that CIF member schools will not accept monies, equipment or apparel specific to, or distributed to, individual athlete(s) within that program. All gifts are school property (as per the Education Code/ Board Policy) and may not be given to any individual athlete(s). School/school districts should ensure such gifts are distributed equitably. Gifts supporting travel to athletic competitions must be devoted only to reasonable costs of travel, lodging and food and distributed through the school district, ASB or governing board according to Bylaw 805; (8) Monitor its athletic program and to self-report to the appropriate governing body any violations of State and Section Bylaws as soon as the school is aware of possible violations. This responsibility extends to all administrators and coaches at the school. Each member school is responsible for the conduct of its administrators, coaches, athletes, students and parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and for any knowledge possessed by its administrators; (9) Ensure that all coaches, paid and unpaid, will have completed a coaching education program that emphasizes the following components: a. Development of coaching philosophies consistent with school, school district and school board goals; b. Sport psychology: emphasizing communication; reinforcement of young people’s efforts; effective delivery of coaching regarding technique and motivation of the student-athlete; c. Sport pedagogy: how young athletes learn and how to teach sport skills; d. Sport physiology: principles of training; fitness for sport; development of a training program; nutrition for athletes; and the harmful effects associated with the use of steroids and performance-enhancing dietary supplements by adolescents; e. Sport management: team management; risk management; and working within the context of an entire school program; f. Training: certification in CPR and First Aid, that includes training in signs and symptoms of concussions, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and heat illness; (Revised January 2015 Federated Council/Revised February 2019 Federated Council) Q: When does the training certifications in the items listed in 22.B (9).f. need to be renewed? A: Certification needs to be updated each time CPR and First Aid training is renewed. (Editorial May 2019) g. Knowledge of, and adherence to, statewide rules and regulations; as well as school regulations including, but not necessarily limited to, eligibility, gender equity and discrimination; h. Sound planning and goal setting; AND i. A school/district may use a coach that does not meet these standards for one (1) sports season in an emergency. The coach must still hold a CPR, First Aid, Concussion, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and Heat Illness certification as required under Title V. However, that person may not coach another season of sport without fulfilling this coaching education requirement. Any currently employed coach who has completed and passed a prior version of a coaching education program that meets the above listed criteria, as determined by the local administration, is exempt from this provision. The above certification is transferable between/ among CIF member schools. Coaches may need to complete additional local school or school district requirements. NOTE: Definition of a coach, paid or unpaid: Any individual that the school/district is required to approve under Title V, California Code of Regulations, Section 5593 and 5594 and/ or under California Education Code 35179-35179.7, 49032 and 45125.01-45125.1. (Revised January 2015 Federated Council/Revised February 2019 Federated Council) j. A school shall ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events. (Please see Bylaw 503.L. for more detailed requirements for AEDs and EAPs) (Approved April 2019 Federated Council/Editorial April 2024) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION18 k. The school shall have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) for the purpose of rendering emergency care or treatment. The school shall ensure that the AED or AEDs are available to athletic trainers, coaches and authorized personnel at these activities or events. (Please see Bylaw 503.L. for more detailed requirements for AEDs and EAPs) (Approved April 2019 Federated Council/Editorial April 2024) (10) Remit any approved State or Section school dues and assessments on time; (11) Abide by any additional requirements of the Section; AND (12) An athletic director, sports coach, school official or employee or booster club/support group member may provide only non-muscle building nutritional supplements to a student-athlete at any time for the purpose of providing additional calories and electrolytes. A school may only accept an advertisement, sponsorship or donation from a supplement manufacturer that offers only non-muscle building nutritional supplements. A school may not accept an advertisement sponsorship or donation from a distributor of a dietary supplement whose name appears on the label. Permissible non-muscle building nutritional supplements are identified according to the following classes: carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks, energy bars, carbohydrate boosters and vitamins and minerals. (13) By the first Friday in April of each school year, member schools are required to submit to the State CIF their CIF Participation Census. If after a reasonable number of requests from the CIF State and/or Section offices, a school continues to be delinquent with submission of its CIF Participation Census after May 15, the school will be immediately notified that its CIF membership will be suspended effective June 15. Reinstatement of membership will be made upon receipt of the completed CIF Participation Census. Reinstated schools will not be allowed to host any Regional or State playoff contest in any sport for a period of one (1) year from the time of sanction. (Approved February 2023 Federated Council) C. Enforcement (1) The Executive Director and/or Executive Committee or Section Commissioner and/or Section Board of Managers shall have power to suspend, to fine or otherwise penalize any member school for the violation of any CIF or Section rules and regulations or for just cause. The period of suspension or other penalty shall be left to the discretion of the CIF governing body that has jurisdiction of the matter where the penalty is not fixed. (2) The Executive Director or Section Commissioner shall, at his/her discretion, determine whether information about any possible violation of the CIF or Section Constitution or Bylaws is sufficiently reliable to justify further investigation. The Executive Director or Section Commissioner shall also, at his/her discretion; determine whether to conduct any investigation of possible violations of the Constitution or Bylaws as well as the nature and extent of any investigation that may be conducted and the procedures to be used in any such investigation. Factors to be considered by the Executive Director or Section Commissioner in making these determinations may include, but are not limited to: a The seriousness of the alleged violation; b. Any other factor the Executive Director or Section Commissioner may deem relevant in making these decisions. (3) A violation of the CIF or Section Constitution or Bylaws will not result in any investigation or penalty if it is inadvertent and the school first learns of and reports the violation after the conclusion of the following year’s playoffs in the sport in which the violation occurred. If it is determined that a school or any of its administrators or coaches had knowledge of a violation or possible violation of the CIF or Section Constitution or Bylaws and failed to promptly self-report as it is required to do as a condition of membership, or that a delay in self-reporting occurred as a result of a failure by the school to properly monitor its athletic program as required as a condition of membership, the provisions of this section shall not apply. In any such case, a violation may be investigated and penalties may be implemented regardless of when the violation occurred. (4) Any school under suspension, if it has restricted its athletic program to intramural athletics for the period of suspension, may be reinstated by the CIF Executive Committee or Section Board of Managers upon application made in writing 20 days in advance of the time it desires to be reinstated, to the Executive Director or Section Commissioner by the principal of the school and by the Board of Education under which the school operates. The Executive Director or Section Commissioner shall present the application of the suspended school to the appropriate Board for its consideration. The principal and the board of education shall agree, in writing, that the school will abide by all rules of the CIF and/or Section in the future. The principal and each member of the Board of Education shall sign the statement. (Approved May 2003 Federated Council/Revised May 2007 Federated Council) 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 19 23. ORDER OF JURISDICTION This Constitution and Bylaws is binding on all schools, leagues and Sections. The order of descending jurisdiction is as follows: State (Federated Council), Section, league and school. A school, league or Section may enact regulations which are more stringent than those adopted by a higher authority. The State Federated Council is the governing body of the CIF and shall establish policy. Within the framework of that policy, local Sections may establish local rules and regulations as long as they are no less stringent and do not violate State policy rules or intent. (Revised May 2003 Federated Council) NOTE: Bylaws 206 and 207 relate to statewide eligibility rules, therefore apart from more restrictive rules enacted by school boards, no Section, league or school shall adopt or enact any regulations, rules or policies different than, or affecting in any manner, these statewide Bylaws. Only the Section Commissioner may waive the effect of those Bylaws on transfer athletic eligibility and only in accordance with the provisions of those Bylaws. (NOTE Approved January 2008 Federated Council) 24. JURISDICTIONS All students attending either public or private high schools in any Section under the jurisdiction of the Federation will be subject to the rules of eligibility of the Federated Council for participation in athletic contests between/among schools. All CIF member schools are accountable to the Federated Council for violations of the CIF Constitution and Bylaws.
303 — MULTI-SCHOOL CIF MEMBERSHIP
Effective 2026-07-01A. CIF member schools may allow only students currently enrolled as full-time students, in grades 9-12, in their school, to participate in any CIF competition (See Bylaw 201). B. CIF member schools may apply for a change in membership status under the provision of this Bylaw. Any CIF member school that wishes to allow participation on its team(s) by all the students, who are currently enrolled in any non-CIF member schools or programs which do not offer any interscholastic athletic programs, such programs or schools would include, but not be limited to, alternative schools (as defined in Education Code Section 58500 et seq. in compliance with the condition set forth in Bylaw 303), junior high schools (9 th graders only), necessary small schools and charter schools, may request approval to do so under the following conditions: (1) Any such application submitted by a CIF member schools must be with a non-CIF member school that has a current California County-District-School Code (CDS Code) as a prerequisite to applying for multi-school status. (2) The administrative responsibility for all students involved in athletics shall rest with the principal of the CIF member school for which the student(s) is competing. Such responsibility shall include: a. Verification that residential eligibility of the student(s) is limited to the public school in whose attendance area his/her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver reside; or where the student most recently established his/her residential eligibility or a private school; AND b. Verification that students participating in the athletic program meet all the CIF member school scholastic eligibility requirements; AND c. The regular grading period of the CIF member school shall be used to determine the scholastic eligibility of all students; AND d. Determination that students participating in the athletic program meet all other eligibility requirements of the CIF, its Section, its league and the CIF member school; AND e. Determination that private schools and charter schools entering a multi-school agreement with a public school or public school district meet the additional requirements set forth in D.-E. below. (3) For the purposes of determining dues, legal and liability assessments, realignment issues and CIF and Section divisional placement, the enrollment figures for non-CIF member school/program students residing in the CIF member school’s attendance area must be included in the CIF member school’s enrollment using the CBEDS enrollment figures. (4) The application process must start with the principal of the CIF member school. Written certification that all the conditions listed above will be met, as well as approval, must be obtained from the following: a. CIF member school principal; AND b. CIF member school governing board(s); AND c. Non-CIF member school or program administrator in charge; AND d. Non-CIF member school governing board (if applicable) (5) Additional approvals must be obtained, in the following order, from: a. The CIF member school’s league; AND b. The CIF member school’s Section; AND c. The CIF Executive Committee CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION54 (6) New and Renewal applications for multi-school teams under this Bylaw must be filed annually. a. New Applications (i) All new applications must be received in the State Office prior to May 31 of the current school year for approval for the following school year. (ii) All fees must accompany the application and be received prior to May 31. The request will not be considered until the fees are submitted. (iii) Any late applications will be assessed a late fee of $200; the fee must be attached or the application will not be considered. If a new application is not received by September 1 of the current school year, the school must also submit a statement as to the reason for the late application. This statement must accompany the late application.All late applications must be received by the CIF State Office by the last Friday in September to be considered for that school year. (Approved May 2020 Federated Council/Revised April 2024 Federated Council (iv) Students are not eligible to participate or compete with the CIF member school until confirmation from the CIF State Office that the application is approved. b. Renewal Applications (i) All renewal applications must be submitted to the CIF State Office by May 31 of the current school year to continue multi-school status for the following year. (ii) All fees for multi-school dues will be reflected on the invoice sent from the CIF State Office for the school’s annual school dues and legal assessment. (iii) Any late applications will be assessed a late fee of $200; the fee must be attached or the application will not be considered. If an application for renewal is not received by September 1 of the current school year, the school must also submit a statement as to the reason for the late application. This statement must accompany the late application. All late applications must be received by the CIF State Office by the last Friday in September to be considered for that school year. (Revised May 2020 Federated Council/Revised April 2024 Federated Council) (iv) Students are not eligible to participate or compete with the CIF member school until confirmation has been received from the CIF State Office that the application is approved. (7) Appeals Procedures [Applies only to B.(5) above] a. If the CIF member school is unable to obtain written approval from the appropriate league, then it may appeal for approval, in writing, to its Section, but only after exhausting any and all appeals procedures established by the respective league. b. If the CIF member school and its league are unable to obtain written approval from the appropriate Section, they may appeal for approval, in writing, to the Executive Committee, but only after exhausting any and all appeals procedures established by the respective Section. C. Small Learning Communities, Small Schools, Alternative Schools, and Charter Schools Housed on a Member School’s Campus (1) Small learning communities, small schools, alternative schools and charter schools housed on an existing member school’s campus are subject to Bylaw 303.B. However, a small learning community, small school, alternative school or charter school housed on an existing member school’s campus may apply for an exclusive multi-school relationship with the member school on whose campus they are housed. Where a small learning community, small school, alternative school or charter school housed on an existing member school’s campus and the member school on whose campus they are housed apply for an exclusive multi-school relationship, the students at the small learning community, small school, alternative school or charter school will not be eligible to participate for any CIF member school other than the member school on whose campus the small learning community, small school, alternative school or charter school is housed. If a small learning community, small school, alternative school or charter school and the member school on whose campus they are housed are applying for an exclusive multi-school relationship, they shall notify the CIF State Office when they submit their multi-school application. (2) Students transferring into small learning communities, small schools, alternative schools or charter schools housed on an existing member school’s campus after their initial enrollment in the 9 th grade are subject to Bylaw 207. (3) Sections are empowered to waive the transfer rule upon request by a school district establishing a new magnet program, small learning community, small school, alternative school or charter school housed on a member school’s campus for the first year only; thereafter, all transfer rules apply. (Revised May 2012 Federated Council) 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 55 D. Private and Charter Schools Partnering with CIF Member Public Schools Housed on a Separate Campus Where a private school or a charter school enters into a multi-school agreement with a public school that is housed on a separate campus or with a public-school district, only those students who live within the boundaries of the public-school district may participate in athletics at the member school or at a member school within the district. A student attending such a private school or charter school must participate for the member school in whose attendance area his/her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver reside or the school in the district where the student most recently established residential eligibility prior to attending the private or charter school entering the multi-school agreement. E. CIF Member School with Multiple Campuses Teams representing a high school must be composed of students under the direct supervision of one (1) principal and attending class on one (1) campus. Where one school has multiple campuses, a student must participate for the team on whose campus he/she is housed unless the school petitions to be allowed to participate as a single school with multiple campuses under the supervision of one principal. All new applications must be received in the CIF State Office prior to May 31 of the current school year for approval for the following school year and meet all provisions of Bylaw 303 listed above. DEFINITIONS School Within a School This type of school (often times referred to as Academies with a particular academic focus) operating under the umbrella of a comprehensive high school, but has no autonomy in terms of academic accountability. Small Learning Communities These schools have their own complete accountability in terms of having their own CDS code, California School Dashboard scores. F. Continuation Schools Continuation schools may not apply for multi-school team status as provided for under this provision. For continuation school eligibility, refer to Bylaw 211. (Approved May 2002 Federated Council/Revised May 2003 Federated Council/Revised May 2007 Federated Council/ Revised May 2009 Federated Council/Revised May 2014 Federated Council)
304 — STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS and STATE CERTIFIED NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Effective 2026-07-01A. CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Students attending the California School for the Deaf as defined in Education Code Sections 59000 et seq. may be permitted to compete as representatives of the CIF member schools provided: (1) Student is eligible under all other rules of the CIF; AND (2) It is agreed that the administrative responsibility for the student involved in athletics shall rest with the principal of the school for which student is competing; AND (3) Permission is secured from the appropriate Board of Education; AND (4) Permission is secured from the Section. B. CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Students attending the California School for the Blind as defined in Education Code Sections 59100 et seq. may be permitted to compete as representatives of the CIF member schools provided: (1) Student is eligible under all other rules of the CIF; AND (2) It is agreed that the administrative responsibility for the student involved in athletics shall rest with the principal of the school for which student is competing; AND (3) Permission is secured from the appropriate Board of Education; AND (4) Permission is secured from the Section. C. STATE CERTIFIED NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS A student with a qualifying disability in accordance with IDEA and State law who is attending a State-certified non-public school as defined in Education Code Section 56034 pursuant to placement by a public school based on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may be permitted to compete as a representative of his/her CIF member school of residence or school in which eligibility was most recently established provided: (1) The student is eligible under all other rules of the CIF; AND (2) The State-certified non-public school is not a CIF member school; AND (3) The CIF member school district has determined that the State-certified non-public school placement is necessary; AND (4) The administrative responsibility for the student involved in athletics shall rest with the principal of the school for which the student is competing; AND (5) Approval is received from the appropriate Governing Board or designee; AND (6) Approval is received from the Section. (Revised May 2006 Federated Council/Revised Editorial June 2024) ARTICLE 40 CIF AMATEUR STANDING RULE The 400 Series has been incorporated into Bylaw 212. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION56 ARTICLE 50 GENERAL RULES (500 Series revised May 2014 Federated Council) 500. AUTHORIZED PARTICIPATION A. All CIF eligibility rules apply in all games including practice games. B. All athletic activities in sports approved by the CIF involving two (2) or more member schools must be held under rules and regulations of the participating schools’ respective league, Section and the CIF. C. Ineligible students shall not compete as representatives of the school in any competition involving CIF member schools. D. In any CIF competition, an attached eligible athlete (representing a CIF member school in compliance with all CIF, Section and league eligibility requirements) may be permitted to participate.
3413 — Wrestling Weight Management – moved to Blue Pages
Effective 2026-07-01(Approved April 2016 Federated Council)
501 — CONTESTS SUBJECT TO CIF ELIGIBILITY RULES
Effective 2026-07-01A. All CIF eligibility rules apply in all games including practice games. B. With Section approval, each school year a school may engage in one (1) interschool playday activity per CIF- approved sport with any students not involved in that sport’s interscholastic athletic program, as long as the schools involved agree in writing to indemnify and hold harmless Sections and the CIF and willingly accept full and complete responsibility for the health and safety of their students involved in the aforementioned activity. C. Definition of a Playday An organized recreational activity involving teams from two (2) or more high schools wherein the participants are not currently participating or have not been participating as a member of their school interscholastic team in that sport during the previous 12 calendar months preceding the date of the playday. D. Exhibition Competition Exhibition competition (such as, but not limited to, fifth quarter, open lane, open mat and open court competition) involving CIF member schools may be allowed as an adjunct to regular CIF competition under the following provisions. Team sports for the purposes of this Bylaw include baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, competitive cheer, field hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, water polo and wrestling. Individual sports for the purposes of this Bylaw include: badminton, cross country, golf, gymnastics, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and skiing. (1) Team Sports a. Duly-appointed coaches (as specified in Bylaw 503.F) and contest officials are present and supervising the activity. If officials require any additional fees for officiating exhibition competition, it shall be negotiated with the host school and their officials’ associations in compliance with Section rules and regulations; AND b. Such contests count toward the competing individual’s allowable maximum number of contests; AND c. A team score is not kept or recorded; AND d. Such team competition is not conducted concurrently with the regulation CIF competition; AND e. Such team competition is held at the same site, immediately preceding or following the regulation competition; AND f. Such team competition is shorter in duration than the regulation competition in that sport; AND g. Participants in such competition shall not compete in any regulation CIF competition in the same sport during the same day or event; AND h. Participants in such competition represent their own school enrollment (i.e., competition on a rainbow team and/or a team made up of students representing two [2] or more school is prohibited); AND i. Written permission is granted for such competition by the principals of all schools involved; AND j. Participants in such competition meet all eligibility requirements of the CIF, CIF Section and league. (2) Individual Sports a. Duly-appointed coaches (as specified in Bylaw 503.F) are present and supervising the activity; AND b. Such contests count toward the competing individual’s allowable maximum number of contests; AND c. A team score is not kept or recorded nor are individual finishes or records kept of recorded; AND d. Individual events may be conducted concurrently with the regulation CIF competition events (i.e. open lane, open court, open apparatus); AND e. The primary CIF team and/or individual competition is held at the same site, and the individual exhibition competitions occurs during or immediately preceding or following that regulation CIF competition; AND 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 57 f. Participants in such competition shall not compete in any regulation CIF competition in the same sport during the same day or event; AND g. Participants in such individual event competition represent their own school enrollment (i.e., competition on a rainbow relay team and/or a relay team made up of students representing two [2] or more schools is prohibited); AND h. Written permission is granted for such competition by the principals of all schools involved; AND i. Participants in such competition meet all eligibility requirements of the CIF, CIF Section and league. (Revised May 2013 Federated Council/Revised April 2017 Federated Council) E. During the school year, all athletic activities in CIF-approved sports involving CIF member schools must be held under the rules and regulations of the participating school’s respective league, CIF Section and the CIF during the established school year (district, Section, league). F. During the summer period, CIF Bylaws pertaining to transfer eligibility, undue influence, pre-enrollment contact and athletically motivated transfers apply (Bylaws 206, 207 and 510). G. During the summer period, no physical conditioning or practice sessions prior to the opening of authorized practice may be conducted by a high school unless specifically authorized by the school principal/designee. CIF Sections may establish sport specific rules and/or policies. (Revised May 2010 Federated Council)
503 — ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT
Effective 2026-07-01The principal of each school shall be held responsible for the amateur standing and eligibility of the school’s teams and team members under CIF, Section, and league rules. A. Schools shall be responsible to confirm the eligibility status for all students participating in interscholastic athletics at their schools as required by the Federated Council, local Section, and leagues. B. Ineligible Athletes Ineligible students shall not compete as representatives of the school in any CIF contest. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION58 (1) Uniform Administrative Oversight Penalty In the case where it is determined by the CIF Section that an ineligible student competed due to the failure of the school administration to submit proper CIF Section transfer eligibility application forms which would have, had it been submitted in a timely manner and reviewed by the Section, otherwise been granted immediate eligibility in that sport(s) in which the student participated prior to the appropriate paperwork being submitted. First Offense a. The school will forfeit only the initial game won or tied, regardless of the number of contests in which the ineligible student participated. b. The school will submit to the CIF Section a corrective action plan approved by the principal and the superintendent. c. The school will submit a report at the conclusion of the school year on the actions and corrections made under the action plan Second Offense Within a School Year Calendar a. The school will forfeit only the initial game won or tied, regardless of the number of contests in which the ineligible student participated. b. The school will submit to the CIF Section a corrective action plan approved by the principal and the superintendent. c. The school will submit a report at the conclusion of the school year on the actions and corrections made under the action plan d. The school will be prohibited from hosting its first home playoff game in the sport where the forfeiture was applied. (Approved April 2017 Federated Council) C. Grade Level Restrictions Only 9 th through 12 th grade students may practice with or compete on a high school team. Ninth grade students of a junior high school which is located on the same campus and is under the supervision of the same principal as the senior high school may practice with and compete on the high school team. For a multi-school situation, see Bylaw 303. D. Unattached/Unofficial Participants In CIF competition, no person shall be permitted to participate as an unattached athlete or an unofficial entrant. (See Bylaw 501). E. Supervision Requirement No CIF team shall participate in interscholastic or approved competition with any other team unless the CIF team is under supervision as required by the California Education Code 49032. (See also Bylaw 503.F.). F. Coaching Principals are responsible to ensure that all coaches of the CIF member school for all individual or team(s) meet the requirements of the California Education Code 49032, 35179.1 and Bylaw 22.B.(9) (Revised February 2009 Federated Council) (1) Coaching Compensation A coach shall not be reimbursed for coaching services from any source other than the school funds without the approval of the school’s governing board, nor be subject to any bonus arrangement dependent upon the success of the school’s team. (2) Penalty for Improper Coaching Compensation Any team coached by any person receiving any reimbursement for coaching services from other than school funds without the approval of the school’s governing board may be sanctioned in accordance with Article 22.C. (Revised February 2009 Federated Council/Revised February 2019 Federated Council) G. Physical Examination As a condition of membership, schools will require that a student receive an annual physical examination conducted by a medical practitioner certifying that the student is physically fit to participate in athletics. The report of the examination will be on a school board-approved form that includes a health history. The physical examination must be completed before a student may try out, practice or participate in interscholastic athletic competition. A student will be excused from this physical examination provided there is compliance with the Education Code provisions concerning parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver Refusal to Consent. The CIF Sports Medicine Advisory Committee strongly recommends schools use the Pre-Participation Physical Examination Form that is endorsed by five (5) major medical societies; American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopedic Sports Medicine and the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine. All CIF schools must have school board-approved forms. (Revised March 2004 Executive Committee) Q: What does the CIF consider to be an annual physical examination? A: An annual physical examination is one that was completed in the last 365 days. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 59 H. Concussion Protocol A student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in education and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. If a licensed health care provider, trained in education and management of concussion, determines that the athlete sustained a concussion or a head injury, the athlete is required to complete a graduated return-to-play protocol of no less than seven (7) full days from the time of diagnosis under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete’s initial practice or competition. (Approved May 2010 Federated Council/Revised May 2012 Federated Council/Revised January 2015 Federated Council) Q: What is meant by licensed health care provider? A: The scope of practice for licensed health care providers and medical professionals is defined by California state statutes. This scope of practice will limit the evaluation to a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). Q: May nurse practitioners (NP) or physician assistants (PA) provide written clearance to return to play? A: Yes, a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) working under the direct supervision of a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) may provide clearance for return to play. (Editorial May 2020) I. Steroid Prohibition As a condition of membership, all schools shall adopt policies prohibiting the use and abuse of androgenic/ anabolic steroids. All member schools shall have participating students and their parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver agree that the athlete will not use steroids without the written prescription of a fully licensed physician (as recognized by the AMA) to treat a medical condition. NOTE: Article 1-12.N. (Revised May 2005 Federated Council) J. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Protocol A student-athlete who passes out or faints while participating in, or immediately following, an athletic activity or who is known to have passed out or fainted while participating in, or immediately following an athletic activity, must be removed immediately from participating in a practice or game for the remainder of the day. A student- athlete who has been removed from play after displaying signs and symptoms associated with sudden cardiac arrest may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. On a yearly basis, a Sudden Cardiac Arrest information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete’s initial practice or competition. Q: What is meant by licensed health care provider? A: The scope of practice for licensed health care providers and medical professionals is defined by California state statutes. This scope of practice will limit the evaluation to a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). Q: May nurse practitioners (NP) or physician assistants (PA) provide written clearance to return to play? A: Yes, a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) working under the direct supervision of a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) may provide clearance for return to play. (Editorial May 2020) (Approved January 2015 Federated Council) K. Heat Illness/Air Quality Index Protocol (1) Heat Illness Protocol a. A student-athlete who exhibits signs of heat illness while participating in, or immediately following, an athletic activity must be removed immediately from participating in a practice or game for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play after displaying signs and symptoms associated with heat illness may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. On a yearly basis, a Heat Illness information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete's parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete's initial practice or competition. b. All CIF member schools must adhere to the CIF Heat Illness Prevention and Heat Acclimatization Policies (see policy pages 103-107). (2) Air Quality Index Protocol a. All CIF member schools must refrain from outdoor practice and/or competition when the Air Quality Index is 151 or higher. Schools may use readings for their local area obtained through www.airnow.gov or a measurement device located outdoors on their physical campus. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION60 Q: One of my student-athletes sometimes experiences leg cramps during practices and/or games but then they go away with rest and stretching. Do I have to hold her out from the rest of that practice or game? Does she need to see her physician before she can return to play? A: Muscle cramps may be an early sign of heat illness and can be evaluated and managed with rest, stretching and oral fluids including electrolyte drinks. If the cramps are not associated with any other signs and symptoms of heat illness and resolved promptly, then the athlete could return to practice or competition and would not require clearance from a licensed healthcare provider. BUT, if any signs and symptoms of heat illness exist alongside heat cramps, then yes, she would need to be cleared by her physician before returning to play. AND, if she continues to experience recurrent muscle cramps, have her see your school’s athletic trainer who can evaluate further. If there’s no athletic trainer available at your school, your athlete should get a medical evaluation from her physician. Please visit https://cifstate.org/sports-medicine/heat_illness/ index for more information on this topic. (Editorial May 2020) Q: Is there more information available about precautions related to Air Quality Index (AQI)? A: Yes. Go to the Sports Medicine – Air Quality page at www.cifstate.org for other resources and best practices related to AQI. Q: What is meant by licensed health care provider? A: The scope of practice for licensed health care providers and medical professionals is defined by California state statutes. This scope of practice will limit the evaluation to a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). Q: May nurse practitioners (NP) or physician assistants (PA) provide written clearance to return to play? A: Yes, a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) working under the direct supervision of a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) may provide clearance for return to play. (Editorial May 2020) (Approved January 2019 Federated Council) L. Emergency Action Plans and AED Protocols (1) A school shall ensure that there is a venue-specific written emergency action plan (EAP) for athletics in place that describes the steps to be taken in the event of an emergency related to Sudden Cardiac Arrest and other medical emergencies, including concussion and heat illness. The school’s EAP shall (should) be reviewed annually by pertinent school staff and local EMS providers and be distributed to all athletic department members and healthcare professionals who will provide medical coverage during games, practices, or other events. Each school team (coaches, players, athletic director, etc.) shall rehearse the EAP at least once per season. (2) Each school’s emergency action plan (EAP) shall: a. list and provide the location of all on-site emergency equipment that may be needed in an emergency situation b. identify personnel and their responsibilities to carry out the plan of action c. include appropriate contact information for EMS d. specify documentation actions that need to be taken post-emergency (3) The school shall have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) for the purpose of rendering emergency care or treatment. The AED(s) should be available for use at each athletic venue within three (3) minutes of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. The school shall ensure that the AED(s) are available to certified athletic trainers, healthcare professionals, coaches and authorized personnel at these activities or events. (Approved April 2019 Federated Council/Approved April 2024 Federated Council) M. Statewide Sportsmanship and Ejection Policy Player: A player who is ejected from a contest (for reasons other than fighting or leaving the bench area during a fight) shall be ineligible to participate in the remainder of that contest (event) and his or her team’s future contest (s) as outlined below: (1) First Ejection: Player is ineligible to participate in the team’s next contest. Player may remain on the bench for the duration of that contest and may be on the bench in street clothes for the team’s next contest. If the ejection occurs in the last game of the season, the player would be ineligible for the team’s first contest the following season. If the player is a senior, he or she would be ineligible for the first contest of their next season of sport. (2) Second Ejection: Player is ineligible to participate in the team’s next three (3) contests. Player may remain on the bench for the duration of that contest and may be on the bench in street clothes for the team’s next three (3) contests. If the season concludes prior to the player serving the three (3) contests suspension, he or she would be ineligible for the number of contests remaining on the suspension for the team’s following season. If the player is a senior, he or she would be ineligible for the number of contests remaining on the suspension for their next season of sport. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 61 (3) Third Ejection: Player is ineligible to participate for the remainder of that season. Player may remain on the bench for the duration of that contest and may be on the bench in street clothes for the team’s remaining contest that season. If there are six (6) or fewer contests remaining in the season, the player would be ineligible for up to six (6) contests for the team’s following season as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. If the player is a senior, he or she would be ineligible for up to six (6) contests for the next season of sport as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. A player who is ejected from a contest for fighting or leaving the bench area during a fight shall be ineligible to participate in the remainder of that contest and his or her team’s future contests as outlined below: (4) First Ejection: Player (Fighting/Assaultive Behavior/Gross Unsportsmanlike Conduct) is ineligible to participate in the team’s next three (3) to six (6) contests as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. Player may remain on the bench for the duration of that contest and may be on the bench in street clothes for the duration of the suspension. If the season concludes prior to the player serving the full suspension, he or she would be ineligible for the number of contests remaining on the suspension for the team’s following season. If the player is a senior, he or she would be ineligible for the number of contests remaining on the suspension for their next season of sport. (5) Second Ejection: Player is ineligible to participate for the remainder of that season. Player may remain on the bench for the duration of that contest and may be on the bench in street clothes for the team’s remaining contests that season. If there are six (6) or fewer contests remaining in the season, the player would be ineligible for up to six (6) contests for the team’s following season as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. If the player is a senior, he or she would be ineligible for up to six (6) contests for their next season of sport as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. Before a player may return to participate in a contest following a multiple game suspension for any of the above infractions, the school principal must inform the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter that they have met with the student-athlete, his or her parent/guardian/caregiver and coach to discuss future behavioral expectations. Note: For individual sports, player ejections count towards the Allowable Number of Contacts per CIF Bylaw 1206.D Appeals Process for All Multi-Game Ejections: The school principal may appeal the penalties listed above in writing to the League Commissioner/President (for a regular season contest not including the final contest prior to Section playoffs) or CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter (for the final contest prior to Section playoffs and all playoff contests). The appeal must be received by the Section with 48 hours of the date of the ejection. Reasons for the appeal may only include misidentification of the ejected player or a misapplication of the rule. There will be no appeal regarding the judgement of an official. Note: There is no appeal process for single game ejections. Coach: A coach who is ejected from a contest (for reasons other than fighting) shall be disqualified from participating in the remainder of that contest and his or her team’s future contest (s) as outlined below: (6) First Ejection: Coach is disqualified from participating in the team’s next one (1) to three (3) contests as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. Coach must immediately vacate the playing area and the vicinity in and around the contest and refrain from having any communication with the team or other coaches for the remainder of that contest and for the team’s next contest. If the ejection occurs in the last game of the season, the coach would be ineligible for the team’s first one (1) to three (3) contests the following season as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. (7) Second Ejection: Coach is disqualified from participating in the team’s six (6) contests as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. Coach must immediately vacate the playing area and the vicinity in and around the contest and refrain from having any communication with the team or other coaches for the remainder of that contest and for the team’s next six (6) contests. If the ejection occurs in the last game of the season, the coach would be ineligible for the team’s first six (6) contests the following season. (8) Third Ejection: Coach is disqualified from participating in the remaining contests of that season. Coach must immediately vacate the playing area and the vicinity in and around the contest and refrain from having any communication with the team or other coaches for the remainder of that contest and for the remaining contests of that season. If there are six (6) or fewer contests remaining in the season, the coach would be disqualified from participating for up to six (6) contests for the team’s following season as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION62 A coach who is ejected from a contest for (Fighting/Assaultive Behavior/Gross Unsportsmanlike Conduct) shall be disqualified from participating in the remainder of that contest and his or her team’s future contests as outlined below: (9) Ejection for (Fighting/Assaultive Behavior/Gross Unsportsmanlike Conduct): Coach is disqualified from participating for the remainder of that season. Coach must immediately vacate the playing area and the vicinity in and around the contest and refrain from having any communication with the team or other coaches for the remainder of that contest and for all of the team’s remaining contests that season. If there are fewer than six (6) contest remaining in the season, the coach would be disqualified from participating for up to six (6) contests for the team’s following season as determined by the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter. Before a coach may return to participate in a contest following a multiple contest disqualification, for any of the above infractions, the school principal must inform the CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter that they have met with the coach to discuss future behavioral expectations. Appeals Process for All Multi-Game Ejections: The school principal may appeal the penalties listed above in writing to the League Commissioner/President (for a regular season contest not including the final contest prior to Section playoffs) or CIF Section Commissioner with jurisdiction in the matter (for the final contest prior to Section playoffs and all playoff contests). The appeal must be received by the Section with 48 hours of the date of the ejection. Reasons for the appeal may only include misidentification of the ejected player or a misapplication of the rule. There will be no appeal regarding the judgement of an official. Note: There is no appeal process for single game ejections. Spectator: If a spectator is ejected from a contest, it is the responsibility of the school to ensure that person does not attend that team’s next three (3) contests. If the same spectator is ejected a second time, it is the responsibility of the school to ensure that person does not attend any of the remaining contests for that season. Note: A spectator may be ejected by an official or school administrator. Enforcement: See Bylaw 503.M. and Article 22.C.(1)(2)(3)(4) (10) The Executive Director and/or Executive Committee or Section Commissioner and/or Section Board of Managers shall have power to suspend, to fine or otherwise penalize any member school for the violation of any CIF or Section rules and regulations or for just cause. The period of suspension or other penalty shall be left to the discretion of the CIF governing body that has jurisdiction of the matter where the penalty is not fixed NOTE: For purposes of Bylaw 503.M., a scrimmage when two (2) or more schools are involved is considered a contest. (Editorial August 2026) Q: If an official disqualifies an athlete as prescribed by the NFHS rules for that sport, will a suspension be required? A: If, in the review of the report filed by the official, it is determined by the Section Commissioner, or his/her designated representative, that the actions of the player do not involve unsportsmanlike conduct, a suspension may be waived. Q: If it is determined by documented and/or video evidence that a player is disqualified from a contest erroneously, will a suspension be required for that player? A: If, in the review of the report filed by the official, it is determined from the use of documentation and/or video evidence by the Section Commissioner or his/her designated representative, that the player has been misidentified or disqualified erroneously, a suspension may be waived. Q: Sometimes an official will reverse their initial call at the conclusion of the contest. Can the official reverse his/her original call? A: If, in the review of the report filed by the official, it is determined that he/she made an incorrect ruling, the official may rescind the initial ejection. (Approved May 2020 Federated Council/Approved April 2025 Federated Council) 504. SEASON OF SPORT All CIF member school interscholastic activities must be conducted in accordance with the following season of sport Bylaws. A. Definition of School and Individual Student-Athlete Season of Sport The season of sport for a school is that period of time which elapses between the first interscholastic contest and the final contest for that particular sport. The season of a sport for any individual student is that period of time which elapses between the student’s first participation in an interscholastic contest and the student’s final participation in a contest for that particular sport in that season. This includes participation in an academy program which competed against a high school or non-school organization during that season of sport. B. The season of sport shall be established for each sport by the highest CIF component level in which Championship competition is conducted (i.e., State, Section or league) in that sport. To participate in state-level competition for any particular sport, a Section must comply with the CIF adopted season of sport. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 63 C. Playoffs State and Sections shall conduct playoffs in such a manner that teams in like sports, and in baseball and softball, during the same season are afforded equitable opportunity to participate in evening and weekend competition. D. Equity Sections and/or leagues shall set seasons of sport so that they provide equal opportunity for all students to participate, including intersectional competition and State Championships in like sports, and softball and baseball. E. The basic sports seasons are: Fall - August through November Winter - November through February Spring - February through June Exact dates may vary from year-to-year and between Sections within the above specified basic seasons. Championship competition may extend beyond these limits. F. Sections and/or leagues are encouraged to conduct all sports during the State-approved season. G. Member schools, through their league or Section, shall either: (1) Schedule identical sports, and baseball and softball, with seasons of the same number of weeks regardless of the season of the year in which the sport is played; OR (2) Schedule all sports in a particular season of the year to be an equal number of weeks. H. Sections have the responsibility to work toward equity relative to length of season, number of contests, and number of opportunities for participation by students. The seasons of sport for State Championships are: Fall - Volleyball (girls) Winter - Traditional Competitive Cheer (coed) Fall - Cross Country (boys and girls) Winter - Wrestling (boys and girls) Fall - Football (boys) Spring - Swimming and Diving (boys and girls) Fall - Golf (girls) Spring - Track and Field (boys and girls) Fall - Tennis (girls) Spring - Golf (boys) Fall - Water Polo (boys and girls - Regionals only) Spring - Tennis (boys) Winter - Water Polo (girls - SoCal Regionals only) Spring - Volleyball (boys) Winter - Basketball (boys and girls) Spring - Badminton (boys, girls and coed - Regionals only) Winter - Soccer (boys and girls) Spring - Baseball and Softball (Editorial May 2024/ Editorial April 2025/Editorial May 2026) I. The season of sport for championship teams from the San Francisco and Oakland Sections may be extended to allow them to compete against each other in a postseason Transbay competition in those sports that do not culminate in a CIF Regional/State Championship. (Revised May 2011 Federated Council/Revised April 2017 Federated Council) J. Last Contest Date (1) Each Section shall determine the last contest date for regular season competition. (2) For sports culminating in Regional or State Championships, Section playoff competition must be completed by the Saturday prior to Regional or State competition. (3) Each Section that participates in State Championships in a sport shall conduct Section playoffs, if any, during the season immediately preceding such State Championships. (May 2012 Federated Council) K. Maximum Number of Seasons A student shall not participate in more than four (4) seasons of sanctioned CIF competition in any given sport in a four (4)-year high school or three (3) seasons of sanctioned CIF competition in any given sport in a three (3)- year high school. Activities in the summer are exempt. This includes participation in an academy program which competed against a high school or non-school organization during that season of sport. L. One (1) Season of Sport Each student shall be limited to one (1) season of a particular sport for each school year. This includes participation in an academy program which competed against a high school or non-school organization during that season of sport. (See also Bylaw 504.A.) M. Sundays In order to provide at least one (1) day of respite from involvement in interscholastic athletics each week, no interscholastic games or practices of any kind are to be held on Sunday. Exception #1: Those schools founded upon religious tenets that observe a Sabbath rest from Friday sundown until Saturday sundown may practice or play on Sundays. These schools must register each year by August 1 for the following year with their Section office and observe a day of respite from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. No school requesting a religious exception may participate in interscholastic participation (practice and/or games) on seven (7) consecutive 24-hour days. • Schools requesting an exception must provide documentation, if requested, of religious belief adhering to the basis of the exception. • Schools requesting an exception must provide documentation, if requested, of adherence to the rule of no interscholastic participation (practice and/or contest) within seven (7) consecutive 24-hour days. NOTE: Declaration of Alternate Day of Respite Form is available through your local CIF Section office. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION64 Exception #2: Traditional Competitive Cheer teams competing in the annual National High School Competitive Cheer (NHSCC) event. This exception may be used one-time per school year for the above event only. Schools seeking an exception for the NHSCC event should contact their local CIF Section office. • Schools requesting an exception must provide documentation, if requested, of adherence to the rule of no interscholastic participation (practice and/or contest) within seven (7) consecutive 24-hour days. (April 2021 Federated Council) (1) Violation of Bylaw 504.M. will result in the following sanctions: a. Practice: For every practice conducted during the declared respite time, the violating school will be prohibited from conducting twice as many regularly scheduled practices (2 for 1); b. Game: A game played during the declared respite time will result in forfeiture of the game. (2) In addition to the above sanctions, the Section may impose any of the following additional sanctions: a. The final season record will be reduced by at least one (1) win at the conclusion of the season; b. The school will be placed on probation; c. The team/individual will be ineligible to advance to or in Section, Regional or State Championships; d. Reduction of maximum number of contests allowed for the following year in that sport; e. Repeated violation may result in suspension of membership in the CIF. (May 2000 Federated Council/Revised May 2004 Federated Council/Revised April 2018 Federated Council) NOTE: For purposes of this bylaw, an “academy” is defined as a non-school organization located in or outside the State of California that consists of a sports development and/or training program, consisting of athletic team(s) that compete against other high school or non-school organization athletic programs. (Revised April 2023 Federated Council) 505. EQUITY Any question or concern involving practices or procedures that affect perceived bias on the basis of gender will be reported in writing to the appropriate CIF Office within 10 working days. A form will be sent to the individual, which must be returned to register the inquiry and resolution (if any). Any registered complaints or inquiries will be investigated and reported to the Federated Council and State Board of Education with copies to the person who filed the original concern. If the problem is not resolved to the satisfaction of the individual, the appeals procedure of CIF shall be consulted and implemented at the discretion of the complainant. NOTE: See Equity Complaint and Appeal Procedure section following the Constitution and Bylaws. A. Each Section shall adopt policies and/or establish procedures that will promote, within its jurisdiction, equal opportunity for all students regardless of disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. B. Equal Representation in State Championships Sections shall participate in an equal number of sports for boys and girls in State Championships, with a minimum of one (1) entry per Section. All Sections shall have representation in all playoffs. C. Number of Allowable Contests Each Section and/or league that establishes a maximum and/or minimum number of allowable contests for member schools shall establish the same number of allowable contests for teams in identical sports, and in baseball and softball. D. Assignment of Officials (1) Officials for all interscholastic contests shall be assigned and compensated on a gender-neutral basis (2) When practical and sufficient interest exists, the number of events offered in a contest in identical sports for boys and girls shall be equal except where the rules are written by a recognized rules writing body that provides for a different number of events. E. Equal Assignment of Playoff Facilities Assignment of facilities for competition in State and Section playoffs shall be based on gender-neutral factors for all teams in identical sports, and in baseball and softball.
510 — UNDUE INFLUENCE, PRE-ENROLLMENT CONTACT, DISCLOSING PRE-ENROLLMENT CONTACT,
Effective 2026-07-01ATHLETICALLY MOTIVATED TRANSFERS A. The use of undue influence by any person(s) to secure or retain a student or their parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver as residents may cause the student to be ineligible for high school athletics for a period of one (1) year and shall jeopardize the standing of that high school in the CIF. Undue influence is any act, gesture or communication (including accepting material or financial inducement to attend a CIF member school for the purpose of engaging in CIF competition regardless of the source) which is performed personally, or through another, which may be objectively seen as an inducement, or part of a process of inducing a student, or his or her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, by or on behalf of, a member school, to enroll in transfer to, or remain in, a particular school for athletic purposes. B. A student shall become ineligible for CIF competition for a period of one (1) year for accepting material or financial inducement to attend a CIF member school for the purpose of engaging in CIF competition, regardless of the source. This includes, but is not limited to, student individual endorsements that involve anyone from, or associated with [see D.(2) below], a school or its athletic programs. C. Pre-enrollment contact or an athletically motivated transfer may be considered prima facie (sufficient evidence) evidence that the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons (See Bylaw 200, 206.C. and 207.A) and cause the student to be ineligible for participation those sports in which the student participated at the former school. Athletically motivated pre-enrollment contact of any kind by anyone from, or associated with [see D.(2) below], a school or its athletic programs to which a student may transfer or move into the attendance area is not permitted. When a prima facie (sufficient evidence) case of undue influencing/recruiting exists, the student shall be ineligible to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date of the student’s enrollment in the new school in all sports in which the student participated at any school in the last 12 months and/or the sport with which the coaches referenced herein is associated, unless sufficient proof is presented to the satisfaction of the Section Commissioner that rebuts or disproves the evidence of undue influence/recruiting for athletic reasons. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 67 D. Pre-Enrollment Contact Pre-enrollment contact may include, but is not limited to: any communication of any kind, directly or indirectly, with the student, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, relatives, or friends of the student about the athletic programs at a school; orientation/information programs, shadowing programs; attendance at outside athletic or similar events by anyone associated [see D.(2) below] with the school to observe the student; participation by the student in programs supervised by the school or its associates before enrollment in the school. (1) Requirement to Disclose Pre-Enrollment Contact All transfer students shall submit a completed CIF Pre-Enrollment Contact Affidavit [CIF Form - (please use local CIF Section Form)] with appropriate transfer application(s) as required by their respective Section under Bylaw 207. Any and all pre-enrollment contact of any kind whatsoever that a student or anyone associated with the student, has had with a person associated with the new school must be disclosed by the student, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and the new school to the Section office on a complete CIF Pre-Enrollment Contact Affidavit [CIF Form - (please use local CIF Section Form)]. NOTE: CIF Form is available through the local CIF Section Office. (2) Definition of Being Associated with a School Persons associated with a school include, but are not limited to: current or former coaches, current or former athletes, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver of current or former student/athletes, booster club members, alumni, spouses or relatives of coaches, teachers and other employees, coaches who become employed, active applicants for coaching positions, and persons who are employed by companies or organizations that have donated athletic supplies, equipment or apparel to that school, any organization or individual that assists or consults with a family/student resulting in enrollment and/or retention at a specific school for financial or athletic purposes. E. Athletically Motivated Transfers The CIF, as the governing body of high school athletics, affirms that athletic competition is an important part of the high school experience and that participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege. The privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics is available to students in public or private schools who meet the democratically established standards of qualification as set forth by the Federated Council. As stated in CIF Bylaw 200.A.(6) the CIF Bylaws shall serve as a deterrent to students who transfer or change schools for athletic reasons and to individuals who attempt to recruit (unduly influence) student-athletes or their parents to enroll in a school because of athletics. As stated in CIF Bylaw 200.A.(2) the CIF Bylaws reinforce the principle that students attend school to receive an education first; athletic participation is secondary. CIF Bylaws provide for individual Section Offices to limit eligibility for a student when there is evidence the transfer, or move is made to acquire athletic participation at their new school (School B). Students may be determined by their respective CIF/Section Office or the CIF to have made an athletically motivated transfer or change in schools if one (1) or more of the following circumstances are determined to have contributed in any way to the transfer or change in schools: (1) Transferring to a School after Participating on a Non-School Athletic Team, Camp or Clinic Associated with the School The student transfers from his or her current school of attendance, with or without a corresponding change of residence, to any high school where the student participates or participated, during the 24 months immediately prior to the transfer, on a non-school athletic team, (i.e. AAU, American Legion, club team, etc.), camp or clinic that is associated with [See definition in D.(2)] the new school in the sports previously participated in. A team associated with a school is one that is organized by and/or coached by any member of the coaching staff at, or any other person associated with [See definition in D.(2)], that school; and/or, on which the majority of the members of the team (Participants in practice and/or competition are students who attend that school). AND/OR NOTE: For clarification of CIF Bylaws 207.C (4) and 510.E (1) and the application of these Bylaws, a person “associated with the new school,” may include an individual who is or was acting as the student athlete’s club director, club owner, or occupying a similar role within a club or non-school athletic team. (Editorial June 2025) (2) Transferring to a School Where a Former High School Coach Has Relocated The student at any grade level transfers to a new school within one (1) calendar year of the relocation of his/her school or club coach to the student’s new school of enrollment with or without a corresponding change in residence; AND/OR (3) Other factors that may be considered in support of evidence of athletic motivation: a. Evidence the student’s transfer or change of schools is because of the student’s previous association with an outside agency that uses the facilities or personnel of the student’s new school (School B); AND/OR b. Evidence that multiple students have transferred or changed schools to participate in a particular sports program at one (1) school. (Revised May 2002 Federated Council/Revised May 2007 Federated Council/Revised May 2008 Federated Council/Revised May 2009 Federated Council/Revised February 2013 Federated Council/Revised April 2017 Federated Council /Revised April 2023 Federated Council) CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION68
70 — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Effective 2026-07-01The CIF Executive Committee shall consist of no more than thirteen (13) members as described below: A. Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Committee (1) Review, monitor and update goals of the CIF as indicated within the CIF strategic plan and/or the committee’s own process and procedures. (2) Develop operational procedures. (3) Review annual budgets prior to proposal to the Federated Council. (4) Set dues. (5) Act as the decision-making body between meetings of the Federated Council when it is not necessary to call an emergency meeting. (6) Advise the Executive Director or liaise activities with groups and organizations outside the CIF. (7) Review the agenda of the Federated Council meeting prior to each council meeting. (8) Review committee reports and presentations prior to the presentation at the Federated Council. (9) Recommend positions, considerations and actions to the Federated Council. (10) Employ an Executive Director and contribute to the evaluation of the Executive Director. (11) Consider and recommend salary and other benefits. (12) Review and control expenditures and other fiscal operations. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 23 (13) Monitor the office structure and operation. (14) Advise the Executive Director on issues, programs and matters brought to the committee by the Executive Director. (15) Other duties as prescribed by the Federated Council. B. Composition of the Executive Committee (1) Federated Council Officers — President, President-Elect and Past-President; AND (2) Six (6) additional members who are representatives of Sections/Allied Organizations with no more than one (1) member representing the group of Allied Organizations; AND (3) Four (4) at-large representatives who are directly accountable to, or a voting member of, a local board of education or school(s) governing body shall be selected in an effort to reflect both gender and ethnic representation of the state’s student population. C. Limitations of Membership on the Committee (1) No Section shall have more than one (1) member eligible to be elected to the Executive Committee unless another committee member from the Section is an officer or at-large representative. (2) The group of Allied Organizations shall have no more than one (1) member eligible to be elected to the Executive Committee unless another Allied Organization representative is an officer or at-large representative on the committee. (3) No Section may have more than one (1) representative serving as an officer at any one time. [See Article 7-70.G.(2)] for exception. (4) Only one (1) person from the group of Allied Organizations may serve as an officer at any one (1) time. D. Terms of Office (1) The President-Elect will serve two (2) years before assuming the presidency. The President-Elect shall assume the office of President immediately following service in the office of President-Elect. (Revised May 2002 Federated Council) (2) The President shall serve a two (2)-year term. (3) The Past-President shall serve a two (2)-year term immediately following service as President. (4) Other committee members shall be elected annually by the Federated Council to serve a two (2)-year term. An Executive Committee member may serve for two (2) consecutive terms of two (2) years each. (5) If there is a break of one (1) year in the service of an Executive Committee member that member may be eligible for nomination, election and service for one (1) additional term of office as an Executive Committee member but no one shall be eligible to serve more than a total of six (6) years. (6) Four (4) at-large representatives, in an effort to reflect both gender and ethnic representation of the state’s student population, shall be appointed for a two (2)-year term. (see Note after G. below) (7) If in the second year of their term, an elected [see 70.B.(2)] Executive Committee member ceases to be a representative of their Section to the Federated Council, that Executive Committee member may remain as an additional representative of their Section until the end of that representative’s prescribed term. (Approved February 2022 Federated Council) E. Nominations (1) Each year, the President shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of at least five (5) members. Members of the nominating committee shall be selected from among the Federated Council and may include no more than two (2) current members of the Executive Committee. (2) The Executive Director and the President shall be ex-officio members of the Nominating Committee. (3) Nominations for the Executive Committee shall be presented to the Federated Council at the meeting prior to the election. (4) Nominations for President-Elect will occur in even numbered years. (5) Each person nominated for an officer or other elected [see 70.B.(2)] Executive Committee seat must be a current member of the Federated Council at the time of nomination and election. (6) The Nominating Committee will name at least five (5) candidates for two (2)-year terms for the Executive Committee and at least two (2) candidates for President-Elect. (Approved January 2020 Federated Council/Approved February 2022 Federated Council)) (7) Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the Federated Council meeting whereupon nominations are presented. (8) Nominations for the four (4) at-large representative will be made by Executive Staff, in consultation with Sections and Allied Organizations, after the election of Executive Committee members. The Executive Committee, at its June meeting, will select four (4) candidates from among those nominations to serve as at-large representatives. CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION24 F. Elections (1) Elections will occur at the final meeting of the year of the Federated Council. (2) Elections for Executive Committee members, other than officers and the four (4) at-large committee members, will be held annually. (Approved January 2020 Federated Council) (3) Should a second candidate be nominated from any Section or the group of Allied Organizations, only the candidate with the most votes (more votes) from that Section/or group is eligible for election. (4) The nominees who receive the most votes, from among those eligible for election, will be elected. (5) In the event of a tie between/among candidates whereby there is only one (1) seat available and/or remaining, a revote for the remaining position will take place only between/among the candidates that are tied. (6) In the event there is still a tie vote after the first revote, one (1) more vote will take place and if the tie is not broken, a flip of a coin will determine the winner. G. Change in Status or in Workplace, Vacancy (1) Change in Status With the exception of the Past-President, the representative from the State Department of Education and representatives of Allied Organizations, any committee member whose status changes so as not to be directly accountable to, or a voting member of, a local board of education or school(s) governing body shall not continue to be a voting member of the Executive Committee. With the exception of the current officers that committee member shall be replaced at the next Executive Committee meeting by the individual (if eligible) receiving the next highest vote during the last regularly held election, or in the case of an at-large representative, a new representative will be appointed by the Executive Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting. In the event there is no one eligible, an election will be held to fill the vacancy at the next regularly scheduled Federated Council meeting. a. President When the status of the President changes, the President-Elect will succeed to the position of President. If there is not a President-Elect eligible, the Past-President shall be asked to serve in the place of the President-Elect until the President-Elect is eligible. b. President-Elect When the status of the President-Elect changes, the President shall authorize a new nomination and election process to be initiated so that nominations are presented at the next possible Federated Council meeting and elections are held at the meeting following nominations. c. Past-President In the event the status of the Past-President changes, that person may continue service until the end of the term for which she/he was elected. (2) Change in Workplace, No Change in Status When the workplace of an officer changes after election as President-Elect, but that person is still able to continue as a voting member of the Federated Council (See Article 3-30), that person may complete the terms of office through the term of Past-President. When that change in workplace is a change to another Section, representatives from both Sections will be eligible to be nominated for the office of President- Elect while that officer is still in service. (3) Vacancy When a vacancy on the Executive Committee occurs caused by circumstances other than those listed above in this section, the following shall occur. a. President-Elect The President shall call for the nominations to be made for the next possible meeting of the Federated Council and an election to be held at the subsequent regularly scheduled meeting or the President may authorize a nomination process to be immediately initiated if in her/his judgment time permits adequate notice to the Federated Council and other interested parties, so that an election may be held at the next possible Federated Council meeting. b. President The President-Elect will succeed to the position of President. If there is not a President-Elect eligible to serve, the Past-President shall be asked to serve in the place of the President-Elect until the President-Elect is eligible. 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 25 c. Past-President The President may appoint someone to the office who has served previously as a Past- President. The President may ask this appointee to serve out the complete term of the person compelled to vacate the office of Past-President. d. Other Executive Committee Members The position will remain vacant until the next Executive Committee meeting by the individual (if eligible) receiving the next highest vote during the last regularly held election, or in the case of an at-large representative, a new representative will be appointed by the Executive Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting. In the event there is no one eligible, an election will be held to fill the vacancy at the next regularly scheduled Federated Council meeting. (Approved May 1999 Federated Council/Revised October 2000 Federated Council/Revised February 2002 Federated Council/Revised February 2005 Federated Council) NOTE: The Executive Committee will appoint the four (4) at-large representatives at its June meeting. Two (2) representatives shall serve a two (2)-year term and two (2) shall serve a one (1)-year term. The representatives appointed to a one (1)-year term shall be eligible to serve two (2) additional two (2)-year terms unless they are a current Executive Committee member in which case term limits would apply as per D. above. This will provide for balance in the potential yearly turnover of the Executive Committee. In odd years, there will be three (3) members elected and two (2) at-large members appointed and in even years there will be three (3) members elected and two (2) at-large members appointed in addition to the election of the President-Elect position. (Revised April 2023 Federated Council) ARTICLE 8 MISCELLANEOUS
901 — PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF BYLAW 900
Effective 2026-07-01A. School Violations of Bylaw 900 may cause the school involved to be suspended from membership in the CIF. Participation by member schools, by their school officials, or by any employee of the school, directly or indirectly, in the furnishing of school facilities or equipment, management, organization, supervision, player selection, coaching, or promotion in connection with any prohibited contests shall be considered a violation of Bylaw 900. The period of suspension shall be determined by the Federated Council. Suspended schools shall apply to the Federated Council for reinstatement. B. Student Any student taking part in a prohibited all-star contest or similar contest shall be barred from all CIF athletic contests for up to one (1) year following the date the infraction is verified. ARTICLE 100 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION The 1000 Series has been incorporated into Bylaw 705. ARTICLE 110 APPEALS AND DELEGATED POWERS 1100. CIF STUDENT TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY APPEALS PROCEDURES (BYLAWS 206, 207, 208) An appeal of a Section’s decision to grant limited transfer eligibility shall be reviewed only in accordance with the policies, provisions and procedures set forth in the Policy and Procedures for Appeal of the Section Decision on Transfer Eligibility for Athletic Participation which is available on the CIF website (www.cifstate.org) in Parent Handbook II - Understanding the Transfer Appeal Process. Sections are not permitted, and have no authority, to determine an appeal of a Section’s decision regarding transfer eligibility. (Revised February 2000 Federated Council/Revised May 2003 Federated Council/Revised May 2007 Federated Council) 2026-27 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 75 NOTE: All eligibility determinations made by the respective CIF Section office under the provisions of Bylaw 207.B.(5)c. (unlimited eligibility applications) are final as all of these hardship circumstances are factual in nature and can/must be documented. Only students whose eligibility status was determined due to any violations listed below may appeal the Section’s decision. The details and timelines of the appeal process is available on the CIF website as outlined in the Parents Handbook II – Understanding the Transfer Appeal Process. A. Bylaws 207.B.(5)a.(iv) or b.(v) or c.(iii) B. Bylaw 510 – Undue Influence, Pre-Enrollment Contact, Failure to Disclose Pre-enrollment Contact and Athletically Motivated Transfers (Revised April 2017 Federated Council) 1101. SECTION STUDENT ELIGIBILITY APPEALS PROCEDURES (BYLAWS 203, 204.C, 205.C.) Each Section shall establish appellate procedures for review of a Section’s decision regarding waiver of the age requirement (Bylaw 203); waiver of a charge of a semester of attendance (Bylaw 204.C.) and waiver of the requirement to be passing 20 semester credits of work (Bylaw 205.C.), which incorporate the following requirements in final Section determination of student athletic eligibility. In an appeal of any decision that includes not only a transfer request but also a request for waiver of the age requirement, charge of a semester, and/or passing 20 semester credits of work, the transfer request issue will be held in abeyance until all other issues are determined in accordance with Section appeal policies and procedures to a final determination. The procedural requirements for determination of the transfer request under the Policy and Procedures for Appeal of the Section Decision on Transfer Eligibility for Athletic Participation will be tolled until that final determination of other issues is made by the Section. Upon written appeal of Bylaws 203, 204.C. or 205.C. the Section shall appoint either: A. A hearing panel; OR B. A single hearing officer. The panel or hearing officer shall be empowered to hear the matter under consideration and rule on the eligibility status of the appellant under Section and CIF eligibility requirements. Neither members of the hearing panel, nor a single hearing officer can have been directly associated with the matter under consideration or directly associated with the schools involved in the matter or have any other interest, personal or professional, that would preclude a fair and impartial hearing. If it is apparent from the facts that the panel or the hearing officer have no authority to adjudicate the matter under the rules, the Section may find the appeal to be without merit and deny a hearing. The Section hearing need not be conducted according to the rules of evidence and those related to witnesses. Any relevant evidence including hearsay evidence shall be admitted. All testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation administered by hearing officer (a member of the panel or a single hearing officer). Dates and Deadlines for Section Student Eligibility Appeals (1) A final appeal to the Section, under this Bylaw, must be initiated within 30 calendar days after a written notice of a Commissioner, hearing panel or single hearing officer’s decision denying eligibility is sent (by postmarked mail) to the affected party. (2) If the affected party fails to file the appeal within the 30-calendar day period, the Section’s hearing panel or hearing officer will not hear the appeal, and the Commissioner’s decision, or hearing panel or hearing officer’s decision, denying eligibility, shall be final. (3) Within 10 business days after receiving the appeal, the Section will send notice of the receipt of the appeal to the Section’s panel or hearing officer, and to the appellant. (4) Within 30 business days after notifying both parties, a hearing shall take place at a time and place determined by the Section’s panel or hearing officer. Any continuance of the timelines must be agreed upon and documented. (5) A written decision of the Section’s panel or hearing officer shall be sent to the Section Commissioner and appellant within 10 business days after the hearing. (6) From the last published CIF sponsored activity until August 15, appeal hearings may be held if the State or Section can accommodate such a request with available personnel. (Approved May 2003 Federated Council/Revised May 2007 Federated Council)