During the application window, the application to become a certified Agent can be found in the Announcements section of NBPA.com/agents.  The application window for the 2026-27 NBPA Agent certification exam will open on September 22, 2026, and close on October 30, 2026.  

Applications must be submitted electronically.  Submissions received by mail will not be accepted. Application fees must also be sent electronically and must be received at the time of submission of an application.  

Payment plans and/or extensions for the Exam are not available. Applications submitted without sufficient funds for the full application fee will be denied, and applicants will be subject to additional fees should they reapply in the future. 

Yes.  Upon submission of an application, applicants will be required to make a payment of $750 USD (fees may apply).  This fee covers all expenses related to the review of your application and background investigation, as well as access to educational resources that will help you prepare for the Exam. 

Upon notification that you have successfully completed the background check and passed the Exam, you will be required to pay an additional $1,250.00 USD as pro-rated annual dues for the remainder of the then current NBA season.  Failure to remit payment in a timely manner from the date you were informed of your Exam results will result in the denial of your application. 

The NBPA has a thorough review process for each applicant who wishes to become a certified Agent. Below are the steps of the application process: 

Step 1 - Complete your application and submit the required payment.  Once your application is submitted and your payment is received, your application undergoes an initial review to ensure all sections are complete and necessary documents are submitted. 

Step 2 - Upon confirmation of payment, you will receive a follow-up email with access to educational resources to help you prepare for the Exam. 

Step 3 - Your application will then be screened, and a background investigation will be conducted. This phase entails verification of the information provided on your application, including your education, professional certificates, work experience, and civil and criminal history, as well as a review of your social media activity.  Soon after submitting your application, you will receive a call and/or email from Global Background Screening, our background investigation service provider, to initiate the background investigation. 

Additionally, you may be contacted by a member of the NBPA legal department should any additional information be required.  

Please note that failure to disclose any information on your application will delay its processing and may result in the denial of your application. 

Step 4 - Applicants will receive an email with the results of their application and background investigation.  Applicants who are approved will be scheduled to take the Exam and provided with the date and time of the Exam (with more details to follow). 

Step 5 - Review the educational resources provided to prepare for the Exam.  Additionally, the CBA sections covered in the exam, as well as sample exam questions, are available within this FAQ.  

Step 6 - Sit for the Exam. The in-person Exam is administered each year during the month of January in New York City. Please be advised that the Exam is only offered once a year (alternative dates are not offered). 

Step 7 - Exam results are typically distributed within 30 days from the date of the Exam. Applicants who passed the Exam will then be required to pay an additional $1,250.00 USD as pro-rated annual dues for the remainder of the current NBA Season.  Upon receipt of payment, those applicants will be provided with their NBPA Agent Certification, credentials to access the NBPA Agent Portal, and additional resources. The NBPA does not offer applicants the ability to review their Exam, answers, or results. 

During the application review process, please do not inquire about the status of your application. Due to the volume of applications received, status updates are not provided. 

Please be sure to add "agentapp@nbpa.com" to your email address book and periodically check your spam and junk mail to ensure you do not miss any communications. 

Yes, an applicant must have received a degree from an accredited four-year college or university, provided that the NBPA, in its unreviewable discretion, may accept relevant negotiating experience to substitute for any year(s) of formal education.

Proof that an applicant meets the minimum education requirements must be provided in order to submit your application.  If an applicant does not meet the requirements, such relevant negotiating experience must be submitted with an application.

A College or University recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or the Office of Degree Authorization (ODA).  Any foreign institution must have the foreign equivalent of U.S. approved accreditation as determined by the Office of Degree Authorization.  

CLICK HERE to search for U.S. Accredited Colleges or Universities.

Yes -- Within the application, you will indicate that you are a non-U.S. citizen and will be directed to provide any necessary additional documents required for international applicants.  

You have access to a sample NBPA Agent Application by clicking here.

The NBPA no longer offers a CBA review session prior to the exam, as all applicants are provided with comprehensive educational resources upon receipt of the application fee.  However, the NBPA will provide a virtual review session covering the Regulations. 

The NBPA Agent Exam covers the 2025 NBPA Regulations Governing Player Agents and the 2023 NBA-NBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement. You can access both documents via the links below:  

NBPA Regulations Governing Player Agents 

NBA-NBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement 

The NBPA does not provide official practice exams; however, sample exam questions can be found at the bottom of this section.   Additionally, while the educational resources provided to applicants may contain practice exams, these are not officially endorsed by the NBPA and Sports Business Classroom is not liable for any failure by you to successfully complete the Exam. 

The Exam is created and administered by the NBPA only, and no external entities are consulted or granted access to the contents of the Exam. Applicants should be cautious of third parties seeking payment in exchange for preparation courses or claiming to have the ability to certify an individual as a NBPA Agent.  

While agents should be familiar with the CBA in its entirety, for the purposes of the exam, the following sections of the CBA may be used as a guideline for what is covered on the exam:  

Article II 

Article VII (excluding subsection 1) 

Article VIII 

Article IX 

Article X 

Article XI 

Article XII 

Article XXIV 

Article XXV 

Article XXVII 

Article XXIX 

Article XXXVI 

Article XLI 

Exhibit A 

SAMPLE NBPA AGENT EXAM QUESTIONS:  

Question 1: On July 1, 2026, the Denver Nuggets have $10M in Room under the Salary Cap (i.e., their Team Salary is $10M less than the Salary Cap).  They then sign Jim Denver, who played the prior season with the Phoenix Suns, to a 1-year $10M contract.  Next, the Nuggets want to sign Max Holloway, an undrafted rookie to a 1-year contract, paying him the highest salary possible. 
 
How much can they pay Holloway? 
 
a)     $1,357,763 – using the Minimum Player Salary Exception
b)     $2,449,421 – using the Second Round Pick Exception
c)     $9,366,000 – using the Mid-Level Salary Exception for Room Teams
d)    $15,044,000 – using the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception
 
Correct Answer: C. A team doesn't get to use BOTH Salary Cap Room AND the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer or Bi-Annual Exception. Once it creates Room, there no longer exist opportunities to use Exceptions in addition to the Room.  The only "exception" to this general principle for a Free Agent (other than using the Minimum Player Salary Exception, which is always available to teams), is the Mid-Level Salary Exception for Room Teams or "Room Exception," which is specifically granted for teams that go under the Salary Cap to use Room.   

Question 2: On July 10, 2026, the Orlando Magic sign Bob Cousy to a two-year contract for $4M each season with only $2M protected for Skill and Injury/Illness for the 2027-28 Season.  On July 10, 2027, the Orlando Magic decide to trade Cousy to the Utah Jazz. The Magic are interested in trading only Cousy and no other players.  Additionally, no matter how the trade is structured, the Magic will be under the First Apron after the trade.
 
What is the maximum amount of Salary the Magic can receive in the trade? 
a)     $2,000,000
b)     $3,600,000
c)     $4,250,000
d)     $8,250,000
 
Correct Answer: C. Teams below the First Apron can receive 200% of a player's Salary back in a trade, plus $250,000 (for players making less than $9M). While the player has a $4M Salary, for trade purposes only the guaranteed portion is used to calculate the Traded Player Exception. Since the player is only guaranteed $2M, the team can receive $2M multiplied by 200% plus $250,000 (which equals $4.25M).  

Question 3: Gary Warren terminates his SPAC with his Agent on August 15, 2026.  When can you sign Gary to a new SPAC?
 
a)  August 16, 2026
b)  August 21, 2026
c)  August 30, 2026
d)  September 15, 2026
 
Correct Answer: B. 5 days after the date of termination (i.e. on the 7th day including the date the termination letter was sent).  

You may reapply during the following application window.  All returning applicants will need to resubmit a complete application during the application window, including submitting all applicable fees and successfully completing another background investigation.  At this time, there is no limit for the number of times an applicant may apply for certification or sit for the Exam.   

Upon notification that you have passed the Exam, you will be sent an invoice for prorated agent dues for the remainder of the Season ($1,250).  Once dues are received, the NBPA will send you a certification package, and you may begin to hold yourself out as an Agent upon receipt of the package. 

Be advised that passing the Exam is a requirement for certification.  If you hold yourself out or act in any capacity as an Agent prior to passing the Exam, your application for certification may be denied. 

After becoming certified, your next responsibility is to attend one of the three Agent Seminars offered in May each year. You must attend one Seminar in each of the first three years of your certification and may opt out every other year thereafter. The Seminars are one day (approximately 8 hours) and are traditionally offered in LA, Chicago, and NYC. Agents are responsible for travel and lodging. Please be advised that the requirements for attending Agent Seminars are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the NBPA. 

In addition to attending the Agent Seminar, Agents must submit their annual dues payment by July 1 every year. An applicant who is certified in January/February will be required to make a subsequent dues payment on July 1 to remain certified for the upcoming NBA Season.  

As of September 1, 2026, the annual fee is $2,500 and is due each year by July 1st.  Please note that the fee associated with your application ($1,250) is prorated for the remainder of the then current season. Six-months post certification (on the following July 1), you will be required to pay a subsequent annual fee for the upcoming season to maintain your certification. For example, applicants who pass the Exam held in January 2027 will be required to make their first annual dues payment on July 1, 2027. After an Agent’s initial six-months of certification, agent dues are applied on a per season basis (July 1–June 30) and are calculated based on the number of players a certified Agent represented from the previous NBA Season: 

For Agents with 0-9 players: $2,500.00 

For Agents with 10-19 players: $5,000.00 

For Agents with 20 players or more: $7,500.00 

Your certification as an Agent only grants you the ability to represent and negotiate contracts on behalf of NBA and G League players. Please contact the appropriate regulating bodies for information pertaining to certification requirements of NCAA and international players (FIBA). Additionally, please note that there are also State and Federal regulations which govern individuals involved with amateur or professional athletes.