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Athletic Placement Process (APP)

Revisions to section 135.4 of the Commissioner's Regulations became effective 7/29/26 relating to the Athletic Placement Process (APP) and the Use of the Tanner Sexual Maturity Scale. These changes are outlined in this APP for Interschool Athletic Programs FAQ. Changes include:

  • Seventh and eighth-grade students shall be permitted to try out for high school sports teams by invitation of the school or district athletic or physical education director only.
  • The physiological maturity rating (Tanner rating) is no longer required. The required health examination form has been revised to reflect this and is available on the Health Services webpage: Guidelines and Related Memos | New York State Education Department.
  • Students participating in the APP process must be evaluated using the same criteria applied to all students trying out for that team to demonstrate these skills.

Athletic Placement Process (APP)

  • The APP is a standardized process originally approved by the Board of Regents in 1980. A board of education may elect to use APP to permit a student in grade 7 or 8 to compete on a senior high school team; or a student in grades 9 through 12 to compete on a team for grades no lower than seventh. APP applies only to the limited number of students who may benefit from competing at another level.
  • Districts may not use APP to fill roster vacancies, provide extra playing opportunities, replace a modified athletic program, or reward a student.
  • Districts are not required to permit students to compete outside of their usual grade-level classification, therefore, participation in the APP remains optional, and each board of education determines whether the district will offer the APP.

More information can be found on the Athletics Standards and Instruction page in the "For Physical Education Director, Athletic Directors, and School Leaders" dropdown box. 

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Page Updated 8/5/26