Frequently Asked Questions

Find the event you would like to compete in by viewing our calendar. All events have an online registration. Read through the event procedures.  Promoters will schedule you for a polygraph test for the event you enter. The next step is to register for your WNBF Amateur Membership Card.  Your card will be presented to you at check-in for the competition you identify on your WNBF membership application.  If you have more questions, contact the event promoter.

To compete in a WNBF Amateur event, an athlete must have a current WNBF Amateur membership.  Memberships are active for 11 months (expiration is the end of the month prior to competition month the next year).  For example if you compete on 7/16/16, your membership will expire 6/30/17.  You may compete in any WNBF Amateur event during this time frame.  In the USA, memberships with the NANBF & WNBF Canada are also accepted.  International affiliate membership may be accepted, but must be confirmed per that countries qualification rules.

International athletes are welcome to compete with the WNBF as an Amateur in the USA, or in an affiliate country as long as there is not a WNBF affiliated federation in their country.  If a WNBF affiliate has been established in your country you must purchase that organization’s membership card and compete within your country per their qualification rules.

Ages 15 – 19. An athlete cannot be 20 on the day of a show.  Athletes under the age of 18 require a parent signature authorizing their participation in a WNBF event,

Junior Definition:  Ages 15– 23. An athlete cannot be 24 on the day of a show.

First time ever on stage in a particular category. Example:  A person who has competed in Bikini 3 times, but never in Figure can enter Debut Figure.

* If an athlete has ever competed in Debut in another federation they are not eligible for debut in the WNBF.  This athlete may enter Novice and/or Open in that category.

Novice competitors are either first time competitors, someone who has competed and has not placed, or someone who has not placed top three in an Open class.  If you win a Novice class of 5 or more, you are then required to compete in an Open division in that category.  Novice classes allow competitors to gain experience, refine their posing skills and presentation, and to build their confidence before moving into the highly competitive Open classes.

• As of 2026, Novice athletes may choose to also compete in the Open.

Designed for athletes with some competitive experience, and their physique is at or near a level to vie for a WNBF Pro card and be competitive with other WNBF Professionals.

A new Pro shall FIRST compete in a WNBF Pro event prior to competing with other federations to value their WNBF Professional membership opportunity. Please indicate this debut event when registering for your WNBF Pro Card.

Pros must keep memberships current to retain WNBF Pro status. The expiration will always be the month in which the athlete originally won WNBF Pro status.

World Championship Pro Card Winners – Athletes who would like to compete the next day at Pro Worlds are required to register the same day they win their WNBF Amateur Worlds Pro Card.

The WNBF has Pro events across the country and throughout the year.  If you hold a current WNBF Pro card, you are eligible for all of them.  The only event that requires a qualification is the WNBF World Championship.  To compete in the WNBF World Championships, you need to compete in any WNBF Pro show in the year of the Worlds you are hoping to compete.  You will also be qualified if you have placed top three at the previous year Worlds or won an Overall Pro title any time in the WNBF.

If you win prize money, your checks will be sent within 30 days of receiving urine testing results. You may be required to fill out a W9 form before we submit payment to you.

The WNBF only accepts Pro card winners through the WNBF Amateur League and its International WNBF Affiliate events worldwide.  This is due to differences in our banned substances list, drug testing procedures, and required number of athletes to award the WNBF Pro card.

Please read the banned substance list thoroughly and educate yourself prior to submitting a supplement question or concern.  Compare the ingredients to the WNBF banned substance list and the current WADA Prohibited List.
Email: [email protected] ONLY after you have done your own research.

We require all competitors to take and pass an intense polygraph test and in their own language. If an athlete does not speak the native language in a country they are competing in it is the athletes responsibility to inform the WNBF Affiliate or Promoter of this language, and they must hire professional translation services at their own expense.

This test is good for 6 weeks for amateurs and Pro’s.  If you are entering another WNBF event within the 6 week timeframe please let the Affiliate/Promoter know you have been tested and they will confirm this with a WNBF official.

*WNBF athletes from all countries consent to be surprise polygraph tested in and out of season.

The polygraph screening test itself is about 30 minutes and is usually completed on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday prior to a Saturday competition.  All athletes need to read the banned substance list, and reach out to an event promoter with any questions about supplements or medications.  You will complete an athlete questionnaire, and may go through an additional pre-interview prior to the test. All of the information disclosed during the pre-screening process is necessary for our organization and our polygraph examiners to make polygraph test results more reliable and valid.  You should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to fill out paperwork. A valid ID, drivers license, or passport also needs to be provided to the polygraph examiner as does any prescription medications.  Prescription medications must be cleared before you arrive  for your test.

Before emailing our physician about supplements, banned substances or prescription medications please do research yourself

[email protected]

No. Because of our strict drug testing policies and 10 year drug free requirement, all competitors must test with a WNBF approved and licensed polygraph professional.

An athlete who has failed a polygraph or urinalysis test with any federation must divulge this information prior to registering with the WNBF. Polygraph failures result in a minimum 10 year to lifetime ban from the WNBF.

All athletes who win a WNBF Pro Qualifying class will submit to mandatory urinalysis testing at the event. These urine specimens will be analyzed by our sports testing laboratory according to the WADA Code.  After we receive the results, athletes are notified of their WNBF Professional status and they may then register for the WNBF Pro card.

WNBF Professional athletes who win prize money always submit to urinalysis testing.  Amateurs and Pro’s may only wear a posing suit when submitting a urine test in front of a WNBF doping official. Amateurs or Pro’s who do not submit to urinalysis testing will face disqualification and/or suspension.  Any amateur or Pro athlete who denies an off-season test is automatically terminated from WNBF membership privileges for life.

Contact the event promoter and/or visit their website about tickets.  Usually, they are available at athlete check-in and then at the door the day of the show.