IFPA General Contest Guidelines   All participants at IFPA events are required to be current members of the IFPA. IFPA memberships are $75 per year and are good for the month they are purchased through the end of the previous month of the following year (Ex. Membership purchased on 5/21/2010 is good through 4/30/2011. IFPA Members receive a one-year subscription to Fitness and Physique Magazine, a publication that prints coverage of all IFPA contests. IFPA Membership forms are available in the Contest Schedule section of this site.   Pro Eligibility All of the following currently meet the requirements for being eligible for IFPA Pro events: Competitors who compete in an IFPA Pro event after January 1, 2010 are considered eligible for two years after the date of their last participation in an IFPA event. Competitors who have competed in an IFPA Pro event prior to January 1, 2010 are considered eligible through December 31, 2012. Competitors who win an IFPA pro-qualifying placement through any IFPA amateur affiliate after January 1, 2010 and who submit an IFPA Membership form within 60 days of receiving their IFPA Pro Qualifying Packet* are considered eligible for two years after the date of issuance of their IFPA Pro Membership Card (competitors who do not submit an IFPA Membership form within 60 days of receiving their IFPA Pro Qualifying Packet lose their eligibility and have to re-qualify prior to competing in an IFPA Pro event). Competitors who won an IFPA pro-qualifying placement through any IFPA amateur affiliate prior to January 1, 2010 and who submit an IFPA Membership form prior to March 1, 2010 are considered eligible through December 31, 2012 (competitors who won an IFPA pro-qualifying placement prior to January 1, 2010 who do not submit an IFPA Membership form prior to March 1, 2010 lose their eligibility and have to re-qualify prior to competing in an IFPA Pro event). *Note: Submitting an IFPA Membership form confirms desire to maintain pro eligibility. Competitors still have the option of continuing to compete as amateurs in IFPA amateur affiliates' shows, if desired, until after participating in an IFPA pro show. Competitors who win pro qualifiers with the NGA or the WNBF after January 1, 2010 are considered eligible for two years after the date of their qualification. Competitors who qualified to compete as a pro through any federation prior to January 1, 2010 are considered eligible through December 31, 2012. Brenda O'Neill Ron Coleman Katie Carron William Powell Pro Masters Eligibility IFPA Pro qualifiers held with NANBF and OCB events are also IFPA Pro Masters qualifiers. Masters (40+ for males, 35+ for females) division winners at these events become qualified to compete in IFPA Pro Masters competitions as long as minimum requirements of having five or more participants are fulfilled. IFPA Pro Masters qualifier winners become eligible for IFPA Pro Masters events only (not IFPA Open Pro shows too).   All of the following currently meet the requirements for being eligible for IFPA Pro Masters events: Competitors qualified to compete as IFPA Pros who are age 40 or over for males, or age 35 or over for females, are also qualified to compete in IFPA Pro Masters competitions. Competitors who compete in an IFPA Pro Masters event after January 1, 2010 are considered eligible for two years after the date of their last participation in an IFPA Pro event. Competitors who have competed in an IFPA Pro Masters event prior to January 1, 2010 are considered eligible through December 31, 2012. Competitors who win an IFPA pro-qualifying Masters placement through any IFPA amateur affiliate after January 1, 2010 and who submit an IFPA Membership form within 60 days of receiving their IFPA Pro Masters Qualifying Packet are considered eligible for two years after the date of issuance of their IFPA Pro Masters Membership Card (competitors who do not submit an IFPA Membership form within 60 days of receiving their IFPA Pro Masters Qualifying Packet lose their eligibility and have to re-qualify prior to competing in an IFPA Pro event). Competitors who won an IFPA pro-qualifying Masters placement through any IFPA amateur affiliate prior to January 1, 2010 and who submitted an IFPA Membership form prior ro March 1, 2010 are considered eligible through December 31, 2012 (competitors who won an IFPA pro-qualifying placement prior to January 1, 2010 who do not submit an IFPA Membership form prior to March 1, 2010 lose their eligibility and have to re-qualify prior to competing in an IFPA Pro event). *Note: Submitting an IFPA Membership form confirms desire to maintain pro eligibility. Competitors still have the option of continuing to compete as amateurs in IFPA amateur affiliates' shows, if desired, until after participating in an IFPA pro show. Competitors who win Pro Masters qualifiers with the NGA or the WNBF after January 1, 2010 are considered eligible for two years after the date of their qualification. Competitors who qualified to compete as a Pro Master through any federation prior to January 1, 2010 are considered eligible through December 31, 2012. IFPA Yorton Cup Pro World Championships Eligibility In order for pros to be eligible to compete in the IFPA Yorton Cup World Championships, they must participate in at least one other IFPA Pro contest earlier in the year. Exceptions to this policy can be made for competitors not residing in a country that hosts an IFPA Pro competition, for competitors who qualify to compete as pros prior to the Yorton Cup event but after any other IFPA pro shows for their category (example, qualifies at OCB Cape Cod Natural on 10/09/10, no other IFPA pro shows prior to the IFPA Yorton Cup Pro Worlds on 10/23/10), and for past division overall Yorton Cup Pro champions. Entry Deadlines Entry deadlines for IFPA pro shows are three weeks prior to event dates.   Intent To Compete Once competitors are entered into an IFPA pro contest, they must carry through their plans and participate or they will lose their eligibility. Exceptions may be made if proper documentation can be supplied (For example, medical documents supporting injury preventing participation).   Pro/Amateur Policy Once becoming an IFPA member and competing in an IFPA pro show afterward, competitors are no longer eligible to compete in any OCB, NANBF, or any other IFPA amateur affiliates' events in the same category until after expiration of IFPA Pro eligibility.   Categories The IFPA offers three categories of pro physique competition: Men's Bodybuilding, Women's Bodybuilding and Figure.   Divisions The IFPA offers two types of pro divisions within each category: Open and Masters. Open Pro divisions have no specifications regarding age while Masters Pro divisions are limited to: Men - Age 40 and Over, Women - Age 35 and Over.   Classes Formation of classes within divisions at a show is at a promoter's discretion. Bodybuilding divisions split into classes are divided by weight while Figure divisions split into classes are divided by height.   Crossovers Crossover entries between Women's Pro Bodybuilding and Pro Figure at the same event are not permitted in the IFPA.   Additional Information There are no restrictions preventing IFPA pros from receiving non-affiliated media exposure or from competing in or assisting at non-affiliated amateur or pro events.   IFPA shows will typically be held in conjunction with an amateur contest. IFPA athletes must adhere to all rules of the show's promoters, in addition to IFPA regulations.