Gender Identity Student Eligibility Checklist & Forms

NOTE:: Parents and guardians are to work in conjunction with the school administration to complete the necessary paperwork. Packets submitted by anyone other than school administrators will not be considered for review. Only school administrators can submit the final packet for review.

This checklist must be completed to determine and validate eligibility compliance for each individual student-athlete wishing to try out for a team.

Documentation needed to support this request to begin tryouts and archived at the member school:

1. Upload completed Gender Identity Request form;

2. School form indicating a change in Power School, if available;

3. Updated school transcript, including attendance information;

4. A written statement from the student affirming the consistent gender identity and expression of which the student relates;

5. Documentation from individuals such as, but not limited to parents, friends, and/or teachers, which affirm that the actions, attitudes, and manner demonstrate the student’s consistent gender identification;

6. A complete list of all the student’s prescribed, non-prescribed or over-the-counter, treatments or medications relative to the gender identity of the student;

7. Written verification from an appropriate health-care professional (e.g., physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, school nurse, etc.) of the student’s consistent gender identification; include any other social/emotional information from health care professionals assist the committee. Such information must be on the official letterhead of the health-care professional and include contact information;

8. Any other pertinent documentation or information which the student or parent(s) believes relevant and appropriate.

NOTE:  The NCHSAA discourages submission of documents providing medical or psychological information unrelated to a student’s gender identity and/or transgender transition.

GENDER IDENTITY | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Policy

1.2.4    Gender of Player:  The NCHSAA allows participation in interscholastic athletics for all students, regardless of gender or gender identification.  It intends that all students can compete on a level playing field in a safe, competitive, and friendly environment, free of discrimination.  The following rules and regulations are intended to provide every student-athlete with equal opportunities to participate in athletics.

1. A student may participate based on the gender noted on the student’s certificate of birth.
   1. Women shall not participate on a men’s interscholastic athletic team where the school has a women’s team in the same sport or where a school sends an entry to the women’s state playoffs in the same sport.
      1. In cases where women are permitted on a men’s team, the school forfeits all women’s playoffs in the same sport.
      2. Men’s rules will be used where women play on men’s teams.
   2. When a student’s gender identity differs from the gender listed on the student’s certificate of birth, the Gender Identity Request Form must be submitted by the member school to the NCHSAA before any student's participation under circumstances that would constitute ineligibility. The Request should be based on the gender identification of that student in current school records and[/or] daily life activities in the school and community.
      1. The following information should be submitted with the Request:
         1. Documentation from individuals such as, but not limited to, parents/legal guardians appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, friends, and/or teachers affirm that the actions, attitudes, and manner demonstrate the student’s consistent gender identification.
         2. A complete list of all the student’s prescribed, non-prescribed, or over-the-counter treatments or medications relative to gender identity.
         3. A complete list of interventions that have happened related to the gender identity of the student.
         4. Written verification from an appropriate healthcare professional (e.g., physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, school nurse, etc.) of the student’s consistent gender identification. Include any other social/emotional information from health-care professionals that would help the Committee decide the student.  This information must be submitted on the official letterhead of the healthcare professional who verifies with contact information and professional title of the individual.
         5. Any other pertinent documentation or information which the student or parent(s)/legal guardian(s) appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction believe relevant and appropriate.
      2. The NCHSAA will refer to the Gender Identity Request to the NCHSAA Gender Identity Committee for consideration. The Committee will approve the Request if it finds that the student genuinely identifies as the gender indicated in the Request.
         1. The NCHSAA Gender Identity Committee will consist of the following:
            1. Current member of the Board of Directors;
            2. LEA or school administrator;
            3. A physician with experience in gender identity health care and/or World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care;
            4. Psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed mental health professional familiar with the WPATH.
         2. The Committee will require that the member school has verified that the student is eligible in all other aspects.

• The Committee will respect and promote the student’s privacy and confidentiality rights under HIPPA and FERPA in considering a Gender Identity Request. Information provided to the Committee will be shared only to the extent necessary to decide the Gender Identity Request; provided that, if a Gender Identity Request is approved, the student’s school may share the student’s gender identity with other schools as necessary to ensure appropriate accommodations when competing at another school.

1. In cases where a Gender Identity Request has been approved:
   1. The student will be declared eligible to participate based on the student’s gender identity.
      1. 2.4.a is not in effect.
   2. It shall be the responsibility of the school to comply with all state and federal mandates/laws.