competitor-info

• Open to all amateur athletes ages 18 & over and open to citizens of any nation
• Must be a current member of the NPC to compete. You can purchase, renew or look up a current membership at www.npcusamembership.com  - Please note that NPC cards run January 1st – December 31st
• Junior and Masters athletes must qualify by age on the date of the show (proof of age must be provided at check-in).  All competitors will follow NPC rules, guidelines and mandatory poses.  Please visit the official NPC site at www.npcnewsonline.com for complete rules and details for your class

You are not required to compete in a novice class even if eligible and may choose instead to enter Open/Masters or may enter both.  Novice classes are only open to those who qualify by these terms:

• True Novice Classes – This class is for first time competitors only.  If you have ever competed in an NPC competition previously (regardless of division), you are not eligible for True Novice.
• Novice Classes –  Competitors must not have placed Top 10 in any National level show.

It is the competitor’s responsibility to notify us of a change of any change of eligibility due to prior placing.

For NPC & IFBB Natural shows in Washington, Idaho and Oregon 100% of athletes will be polygraph tested. NPC Overall winners and IFBB Class winners will also be tested by urinalysis.

All athletes will qualify for the NPC Pittsburgh Natural and the NPC Ben Weider Natural Pro Qualifier.

The following substances are prohibited for the listed time frame before entering an NPC/IFBB PRO Natural contest. Please visit the NPC NATURAL RULES page for details and review the complete BANNED SUBSTANCE LIST HERE.

1. ANABOLIC AGENTS  3 YEARS
    Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (Exogenous, Endogenous when administered exogenously), and other Anabolic Agents (e.g. Clenbuterol, Tibolone, Zeranol, Zilpaterol)
2. HORMONE AND METABOLIC MODULATORS 3 YEARS
3.INSULIN 3 YEARS
    When used for the purpose of bodybuilding (prescribed insulin is permitted)
4. PEPTIDE HORMONES, GROWTH FACTORS,RELATED SUBSTANCES, AND MIMETICS  3 YEARS
    Including but not limited to EPO, Peptide Hormones and Hormone Modulators, Growth Hormone, Growth Factors and Growth Factor Modulators
5. SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators)  3 YEARS
    Including but not limited to Andarine, LGD-4033, Ostarine, RAD140
6. THYROID HORMONES  3 YEARS
    When used for bodybuilding purposes including but not limited to: Synthroid, T3, T4 (prescribed thyroid hormones are permitted)
7. BETA-2 AGONISTS  6 MONTHS
8. DIURETICS AND MASKING AGENTS 6 MONTHS
9. INSULIN MANIPULATORS  6 MONTHS
    When used solely for weight loss (e.g. Wegovy, Ozempic, Metformin, Rybelsus, etc.)
10. APPETITE SUPPRESSANT/STIMULANT DIET AIDS  6 MONTHS
    Not including caffeine. See list for details.
11. INTOXICATING SUBSTANCES  12 hours before polygraph
    Cannabis, Alcohol, Narcotics
12. MUSCLE IMPLANTS OR INJECTIONS OF ANY KIND INCLUDING SYNTHOL

Polygraph results are final!  Any athlete who does not check-in and make themselves available for drug testing will be automatically disqualified.  Any athlete who refuses testing or leaves before testing is completed will be automatically disqualified.  Under no circumstances will refunds be given for entries, tickets or other event related expenses if an athlete is disqualified.

First Failure - One year suspension from ALL NPC, NPC Worldwide and IFBB PRO contests.
Second Failure - Two suspension from ALL NPC, NPC Worldwide and IFBB PRO contests.
Third Failure - Lifetime suspension from ALL NPC, NPC Worldwide and IFBB PRO contests.

HERO Classes are open to all active, veteran and retired military personnel as well law enforcement, firefighters and medical first responders. These will be a single class per division unless athlete numbers dictate dividing by height.

Junior Classes are offered for athletes ages 18-23 on the day of competition. You are not required to enter a Junior class if you fall within this age range.
ALL athletes must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the contest, no exceptions.

Masters Classes are offered for athletes who's age falls in the specified range. You may enter any of the age classes you're eligible for. Example: 52 year old Bikini athlete may enter the 50+ class AND/OR any younger age range classes. 

The top 2 placings in all Open divisions will qualify to compete in any National/Junior National show. Eligibility starts at the date of qualification and is good through the end of the following calendar year.

All Masters athletes qualify for any Master National level competition by competing in a National Qualifier, regardless of placing.

NATURAL SHOWS: NPC Natural shows qualify athletes for the Pittsburgh Natural and Ben Weider Natural pro qualifiers. No qualification for Open Nationals will be achieved at a Natural show. Athletes may choose to compete in both NPC Natural and Open events.

All Northwest NPC shows will award points toward an Open Triple Crown and Masters Triple Crown Award.  The Triple Crown Award is presented to athletes who win 1st place in at least 3 different shows in the same calendar year in the Open or Masters classes.  Athletes can earn a maximum of 1 Open point and 1 Masters point per show, regardless of division.

The Triple Crown Award presentation will take place at the Northwest Championships.  Winners will receive 2 complimentary VIP tickets if they are able to attend.  If they can not attend, the award will be shipped to them.  Those who achieve the highest total points – Triple Crown Open Champion and Triple Crown Masters Champion – will receive a $500 sponsorship toward any National level event for the following year.  In the event of a tie, all placings will be considered for a tie-breaker.

Visit the TRIPLE CROWN PAGE for complete rules and rankings.

Music is for Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Women's Physique & Fitness only.  All other divisions will pose to house music.

Music is limited to 60 seconds (90 seconds for Fitness). No profanity is allowed and competitors with profanity-laced music will be subject to disqualification.

All music should be uploaded via the link included in your registration confirmation email. If you have lost this link, you may email support@muscleware.com from the email address you originally registered with to have it re-sent.

Music must be submitted by Tuesday before the show.  No music will be accepted at check-in.

Due to insurance requirements, weights are not allowed in the venue (dumbbells or other). Bands will be provided for pumping up.

Dream Tan is not permitted in the venue nor will any cooking spray for use as glaze (i.e. PAM)

Detachable lens cameras (DSLR/mirrorless) or video cameras

Except for Fitness, no athlete is permitted to perform flips or handsprings on stage

Trainers who require backstage access must have a current NPC Membership. Trainer passes grant general admission access as well, so those who purchase a trainer's pass do not need a ticket except where reserved seats are desired. Passes may be purchased during check-in or at the door (cash only).  No person will be permitted back stage without a trainer’s pass and no pass shall be issued to any person who does not present a valid NPC card.

NO photography or videography is permitted backstage. Trainers may not bring photography equipment into the athlete areas.

NO tanning solutions or equipment is allowed in the venue. Trainers tanning athletes in the venue will be removed and the competitor disqualified. See Tanning below.

Center Stage Tan is our exclusive spray tanner for this event and handles booking appointments for on-site hair and makeup services. All competitors should have a competition style tan applied prior to the show. We recommend using Center Stage Tan as their solution is designed specifically for these types of events and they will be on-site for touch ups and assistance. On-site tanning may ONLY be performed by our licensed and insured tanning affiliate.

Trainers may not bring in any airbrush tanning equipment or do any airbrush tanning on the premises! Trainers tanning athletes in the venue will be removed and the competitor disqualified. We are adamant about this as the tanning creams/sprays can damage the venue.

Famed Physique Photographer Mark Mason will be the Official on-stage Contest Photographer and Videographer. Contact Mark directly for further information at markmason@mindspring.com or to pre-order your contest stage photos visit:

MARK MASON MEDIA

All athletes must check-in on during the designated timeframe and must have current NPC membership at this time.

Each athlete will be measured and/or weighed at check-in, depending on their division, with a certified medical device. Athletes will be placed into the class they actually measure or weigh into. Height classes will be divided after check-in to keep class sizes as even as possible.

Classic Physique athletes must not exceed the maximum weight specified for your height. If you come in heavier than the max weight you will have the option of moving to Bodybuilding or Men’s Physique but cannot compete in Classic Physique. No refunds will be given for Classic Physique entries that do not make weight.

All competitors will follow NPC rules, guideline and mandatory poses.  For complete guidelines and rules, visit the official site of the NPC:  www.npcnewsonline.com  Exhibition of poor sportsmanship will be grounds for automatic disqualification.