IFBB PRO CARD QUALIFICATION RULES
Main Qualification Table
| Type of Contest | Open To | Pro Card |
|---|---|---|
| Regional | Worldwide | No |
| Natural Regional | Worldwide | No |
| National Regional | Host Country Only | No |
| Pro Qualifier | Worldwide | See Table 1 below |
| Natural Pro Qualifier | Worldwide | See Table 1 below |
| National Pro Qualifier | Host Country Only | See Table 1 below |
| Regional-Pro Qualifier | Worldwide | See Note 1 below |
| Natural Regional-Pro Qualifier | Worldwide | See Note 1 below |
| National Regional-Pro Qualifier | Host Country Only | See Note 1 below |
| Ben Weider WorldWide Classic | Worldwide | See Table 1 below |
| Arnold Amateur (South America) | Worldwide | See Table 1 below |
| Arnold Amateur (USA) | Worldwide | See Table 2 below |
| Olympia Amateur | Worldwide | See Table 3 below |
| Other Competitions | Worldwide | See Table 4 below |
Table 1: Pro Qualifier
| Type of Contest | Minimum Competitors per Division | IFBB Pro Cards Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Qualifier | 5 | 1 |
| Natural Pro Qualifier | 5 | 1 |
| National Pro Qualifier | 5 | 1 |
| Ben Weider WorldWide Classic | 5 | 1 |
| Arnold Amateur (South America) | 5 | 1 |
Table 2: Arnold Amateur (USA)
| Division | Minimum Competitors | IFBB Pro Cards Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Bodybuilding | 5 | 1 |
| Classic Physique | 5 | 1 |
| Fitness | 5 | 1 |
| Figure | 5 | 1 |
| Women’s Physique | 5 | 1 |
| Wellness | 5 | 1 |
| Men’s Physique | 5 | 2 |
| Bikini | 5 | 2 |
| Fit Model | 5 | 1 |
Table 3: Olympia Amateur
| Number of Competitors per Division | IFBB Pro Cards Awarded |
|---|---|
| 10 or more | 3 |
| 8-9 | 2 |
| 5-7 | 1 |
| Less than 5 | 0 |
Table 4: Other Competitions
| Competition | IFBB Pro Cards Awarded |
|---|---|
| European Championships | Determined by NPC Worldwide and IFBB Pro League |
| European Masters Championships | Determined by NPC Worldwide and IFBB Pro League |
| South American Masters Championships | Determined by NPC Worldwide and IFBB Pro League |
Note 1: Regional & Pro Qualifier Contests Held on the Same Day
- Must be listed as separate contests on the schedule.
- Can be held as two separate contests or one merged contest.
- If separate, all divisions of the Regional contest must be completed before the Pro Qualifier starts.
- If merged, each Regional division must finish before the corresponding Pro Qualifier division.
- Regional requirement applies only to athletes residing in the host country.
- Promoters may host True Novice, Novice, Juniors, Masters, and Open categories.
Rules
- NPC Worldwide Membership: Required to compete. Valid only for one calendar year. US and Canadian athletes may use NPC or CPA membership.
- Regional Requirement: Athletes must compete in a Regional in their country of residence before a Pro Qualifier (unless otherwise stated). Valid only for the current calendar year.
- Residency Rules:
- Athletes must have lived in the country at least four months prior to competing there.
- Proof required: utility bill, rental agreement, ID, etc.
- Students must provide university proof.
- Residency Change (Effective Jan 1, 2025): Country change allowed only for work or education, with proof.
- Delayed Regionals: If a Regional isn’t held yet, athletes can use a qualification from the previous year (but only until the first Regional is held).
- Countries Requiring Regional Qualification: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland*, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, United Kingdom**, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.
- Regional alliances exist within specific groups of countries (e.g. Baltic, ASEAN, Latin American regions).
- *“Ireland” = Republic of Ireland
- **“United Kingdom” = England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
- US & Canada Rules: US athletes must place top 2 in an NPC Regional in the current/previous year. Canadians must qualify in a Canadian Pro Qualifier within the year.
- Rule 5A: You can’t qualify for a Natural Pro Qualifier by competing in an open Regional.
- Rule 5B: You can’t qualify for an Open Pro Qualifier by competing in a Natural Regional.
General Rules
- All competitors must be members of NPC Worldwide. Memberships must be purchased annually.
- All competitors must wear appropriate suits or attire as defined by the NPC division guidelines.
- Competitors must be respectful and professional backstage and on stage.
- Competitors must follow any rules and procedures provided by the promoters and officials.
- Posing music must be submitted in MP3 format and contain no profanity.
Men’s Bodybuilding
This division showcases maximum muscle size, symmetry, and conditioning. Competitors are judged on the overall package of muscularity, definition, proportion, and stage presence.
Judging Criteria
- Muscle size and density
- Symmetry and proportion
- Conditioning (muscle separation and definition)
- Stage presence and posing skills
Mandatory Poses
- Front Double Biceps
- Front Lat Spread
- Side Chest
- Back Double Biceps
- Back Lat Spread
- Side Triceps
- Abdominals and Thighs
- Most Muscular
Men’s Classic Physique
The Classic Physique division emphasizes symmetry, aesthetics, and proportion rather than overall muscle size. It draws inspiration from the golden era of bodybuilding and includes strict height and weight limits.
Judging Criteria
- Symmetry, shape, and proportion
- Muscle tone with a classic look
- Presentation, posing, and stage presence
Mandatory Poses
- Front Double Biceps
- Side Chest
- Back Double Biceps
- Abdominals and Thighs
- Favorite Classic Pose (no Most Muscular)
Height and Weight Limits
| Height (ft/in) | Max Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 5’4″ | 160 |
| 5’5″ | 165 |
| 5’6″ | 170 |
| 5’7″ | 177 |
| 5’8″ | 185 |
| 5’9″ | 192 |
| 5’10” | 200 |
| 5’11” | 207 |
| 6’0″ | 215 |
| 6’1″ | 222 |
| 6’2″ | 230 |
| 6’3″ | 237 |
| 6’4″ | 245 |
Men’s Physique
Height/Weight Requirements
| Height | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|
| Up to and including 5’4″ | 160 lbs |
| Over 5’4″ up to and including 5’5″ | 165 lbs |
| Over 5’5″ up to and including 5’6″ | 170 lbs |
| Over 5’6″ up to and including 5’7″ | 175 lbs |
| Over 5’7″ up to and including 5’8″ | 180 lbs |
| Over 5’8″ up to and including 5’9″ | 185 lbs |
| Over 5’9″ up to and including 5’10” | 190 lbs |
| Over 5’10” up to and including 5’11” | 195 lbs |
| Over 5’11” up to and including 6’0″ | 200 lbs |
| Over 6’0″ up to and including 6’1″ | 205 lbs |
| Over 6’1″ up to and including 6’2″ | 210 lbs |
| Over 6’2″ up to and including 6’3″ | 215 lbs |
| Over 6’3″ up to and including 6’4″ | 220 lbs |
| Over 6’4″ up to and including 6’5″ | 225 lbs |
| Over 6’5″ up to and including 6’6″ | 230 lbs |
| Over 6’6″ up to and including 6’7″ | 235 lbs |
| Over 6’7″ | 240 lbs |
Judging Criteria
- Overall aesthetic appearance
- Symmetry and proportion
- Muscle tone and definition
- Stage presence and confidence
Attire
- Competitors must wear board shorts that are just above the knee in length and sit one inch below the navel.
- Shorts must not have any logos except for a small manufacturer’s logo (e.g., Nike, Billabong).
- Spandex or compression shorts are prohibited.
- Competitors are barefoot during the competition.
Presentation
- Competitors will enter the stage without a shirt and barefoot.
- No lewd acts are allowed (e.g., moon pose).
- No gymnastics moves are permitted.
- Competitors should present themselves with confidence, poise, and professionalism.