On this page we’ve compiled highlights of the NPC rules, regulations, updates, and policy changes. Additionally, we’ve provided external links to the NPC-source material where available.
We hope you will find this helpful to you.
Changes in 2009
Bikini Division info at bottom of this page.
Contest Eligibility
All contests except for the Texas State Championships are open to all NPC registered athletes who possess a current NPC card.
The Texas State Championships is limited to NPC athletes residing in Texas.
Competitors can now enter either open or novice divisions regardless of whether or not they have competed and/or won previously.
National Eligibilty For Figure
The top five of each class in a national qualifier are eligible for the NPC Junior USA and Junior Nationals Figure Championships and the top three are eligible for the NPC National Figure Championships. Eligibility is good for 2 years.
NPC Membership Card

Right-click Save-as to download the card
For more detailed instructions,
see our NPC Card Page Here
Men’s Bodybuidling Classes
| Men’s Open Weight Classes (National Qualifier only) | |
|---|---|
| Bantamweight | < 143.25 |
| Lightweight | 143.25 to < 154.25 |
| Middleweight | 154.25 to < 176.25 |
| Light Heavyweight | 176.25 to < 198.50 |
| Heavyweight | 198.50 to < 225.25 |
| Super Heavyweight | > 225.25 |
| Men’s Open and Novice Weight Classes (Non-National Qualifier) | |
|---|---|
| Lightweight | < 165.25 |
| Middleweight | 165.25 – 187.25 |
| Heavyweight | > 187.25 |
| Masters Men Age Classes | |
|---|---|
| 40-49 | |
| 50-59 | |
| 60+ | |
Women’s Bodybuilding Classes
| Women’s Fitness/ Figure Height Classes (3 height classes – National Qualifier) | |
|---|---|
| Short | up to and including 5’3" |
| Medium | over 5’3" and up to 5’5" |
| Tall | over 5’5" |
| Women’s Fitness/ Figure Height Classes (2 height classes) | |
|---|---|
| Short | up to and including 5′ |
| Tall | over 5’5" |
| Masters Fitness/Figure Age Class: 35+ |
|---|
General Rules and Regulations
Music
Beginning in 2004, all music must be on CD ONLY. Each CD must be in a jewel case with the competitors name. Each competitor is responsible for picking up his/her music after the night show. You will pose only once if you are in more than one class. No vulgar lyrics. All competitors will be introduced at the night show. If there are more than 50 competitors, then the top five in each weight/height class will perform their routine.
For bodybuilding, the time allowed for posing is 90 seconds for open competitors and 60 seconds for novice, teen, and masters.
For fitness – posing time is limited to two (2) minutes.
Posing Suits – Bodybuilding:
Contest posing suits for am prejudging must be worn to weigh-in and must be approved by the Head Judge.
Posing Suits – Fitness/Figure
Contest posing suits (both one-piece and two-piece) for am prejudging must be brought to weigh-in and must be approved by the Head Judge. Thong suits are not allowed. Competitors must wear high heels in the swimwear rounds and athletic shoes in the fitness routine. Jewelry may be worn.
Changes for NPC Fitness & Figure Beginning in 2008
NPC Junior USA Championships
NPC Junior USA Fitness Championships – Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card (3 Height Classes)
NPC Junior USA Figure Championships – Top 2 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
NPC Junior National Championships
NPC Junior National Fitness Championships – Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (3 Height Classes)
NPC Junior National Figure Championships – Top 4 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
NPC Masters National Figure Championships
Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card
NPC USA Championships
NPC USA Figure Championships – Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
IFBB North American Championships
IFBB North American Open Figure Championships – Top 2 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
IFBB North American Masters Figure Championships – Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card
NPC Team Universe Championships & National Fitness Championships:
NPC Team Universe Figure Championships – Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
NPC National Fitness Championships – Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn IFBB Pro cards (3 Height Classes)
NPC National Championships
NPC National Figure Championships – Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
New Height Classes for Women’s Figure Nationals and Contests with Six Height Classes
Up to 5’1"
Over 5’1" and up to and including 5’2-1/2"
Over 5’2-1/2" and up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4" and up to and including 5’5-1/2"
Over 5’5-1/2" and up to and including 5’7"
Over 5’7"
All other classes remain the same:
For all contests with two (2) classes:
Up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4"
For all contests with three (3) classes:
Up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4" and up to and including 5’6"
Over 5’6"
For all contests with four (4) classes:
Up to and including 5’2"
Over 5’2" and up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4" and up to and including 5’6"
Over 5’6"
For all national qualifying figure events – the top five (5) are eligible for the JUNIOR USA, TEEN COLLEGIATE MASTERS NATIONALS and TEAM UNIVERSE FIGURE CHAMPIKONSHIPS and the top three (3) are eligible for the JUNIOR NATIONAL, USA and NATIONAL FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Eligibility is good for two (2) years. Promoters can elect number of classes for their figure contests. ONLY THOSE FIGURE CONTESTS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NATIONAL QUALIFYING BODYBUILDING CONTEST WILL BE NATIONAL QUALIFIERS.
The Front Split will no longer be a mandatory move in the fitness routines.
Bikini Division — New in 2009!
NPC Membership
Each competitor must be a member of the NPC.
Sanctioning a Bikini Division Event
An NPC BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS must be run along with another NPC division i.e. Bodybuilding, fitness or figure contest.
Contest Entries
All height classes and awards must be awarded as advertised on the entry form. Height classes may not be combined on the day of the show and this cannot be advertised as a possibility.
Awards
Cash awards are not permitted.
Check-ins
Bikini Division competitors will be checked in and measured the same as Fitness and Figure competitors.
Height Classes — For Pro qualifying events
Up to and including 5’1"
Over 5’1" and up to and including 5’2-1/2"
Over 5’2-1/2" and up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4" and up to and including 5’5-1/2"
Over 5’5-1/2" and up to and including 5’7"
Over 5’7"
If promoter chooses to do fewer height classes:
For all contests with two (2) classes:
Up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4"
For all contests with three (3) classes:
Up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4" and up to and including 5’6"
Over 5’6"
For all contests with four (4) classes:
Up to and including 5’2"
Over 5’2" and up to and including 5’4"
Over 5’4"and up to and including 5’6"
Over 5’6"
Competitor Rules
National level contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding, Fitness or Figure at the same event. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with district chairperson approval.
Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. All swimsuits must be in good taste.
Competitors must wear high heels.
Competitors may wear jewelry.
Competition Judging
Presentation
Competitors will walk onstage alone and perform their Model Walk (personal preference)
The Model Walk consists of the following:
Walk to the center of the stage, stop and do a front stance then a full turn and do a rear stance then turn to the front again in front of the judges and then proceed to the side of the stage.
Comparison Round, Two-Piece Swimsuit
Competitors will be judged wearing a two-piece swimsuit and heels. The competitors will be brought out in a group and directed to do a full front and rear stance. Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in half turns. (No side judging permitted, front and back only.)
Judges will be scoring competitors on the following items:
Balance and Shape
Overall physical appearance including complexion, skin tone, poise and overall presentation.
Qualifying for National Level Events
For the year 2009 only, there will be no qualification necessary to enter National Bikini competitions.
The following placings will qualify competitors for one year for the NPC national level Bikini contests:
Top 5 places in each class at National Qualifying events only.
The NPC national level contests are listed below:
- JUNIOR USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
- JUNIOR NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
- USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
- TEAM UNIVERSE BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
- IFBB NORTH AMERICAN BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
- NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Qualifying for IFBB Pro Status
The following placings at selected national level events will qualify competitors to turn professional and compete in the IFBB Pro Bikini Contests.
- USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)
- NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)
- JUNIOR USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – top 2 in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards – (6 height classes)
- JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – top four (4) in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)
- IFBB NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top two (2) in Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)
- TEAM UNIVERSE CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top two (2) in each height class earn their IFBB pro Card (6 height classes)











