RULE 1 – Athletes must have an NPC Worldwide membership to compete in an NPC Worldwide Regional or Pro Qualifier contest. Athletes must be 18 years of age or older to be a member of NPC Worldwide. Membership is valid for one calendar year only (January 1 – December 31). US and Canadian athletes only require an NPC or CPA membership. Membership is verified before each contest. RULE 2 – Athletes that reside in a country with a Regional qualification requirement must compete in a Regional contest in their country of residence before competing in a Pro Qualifier contest. A Regional qualification is valid only within the calendar year the qualification was obtained. Regional qualification is verified before each contest. RULE 2A – Athletes must compete under the rules of the country in which they reside. Athletes must be a resident of a country for at least four months prior to competing in a Pro Qualifier contest. Proof of residency, such as a utility bill, rental agreement, or driver’s license must be provided upon request. If you are residing in a country as a foreign student, you must provide a student ID or college or university enrollment form. Regional qualification requirements still apply. RULE 2B – Effective January 1, 2025, once an athlete registers as a resident of a country, the country of residence can only be changed if the athlete relocates to a different country for reasons of employment or education (proof required). Once relocated, Rule 2A applies. RULE 3 – If an Athlete resides in a country with a Regional qualification requirement but there are no Regionals in that country until later in the year, the Athlete may compete in a Pro Qualifier contest anywhere in the world provided: the Athlete has competed in a Regional contest in the Athlete’s country of residence in the previous year; and the Pro Qualifier contest is held before the first Regional contest in the Athlete’s country of residence. When the first Regional contest is held in the Athlete’s country of residence, the Athlete may not compete in a Pro Qualifier contest without first obtaining a current-year Regional qualification from the Athlete’s country of residence. Failure to abide by this rule will result in disqualification from the Pro Qualifier contest. RULE 4 – The following countries have a Regional qualification requirement: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland*, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, United Kingdom**, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.