MLBPA Agent Certification

MLBPA Agent Certification

The Major League Baseball Players Association (“MLBPA”) is the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all Major League Baseball Players, Minor League Baseball Players who are employed by a Major League Club ("Club") in the United States and Canada, and individuals who may become Major or Minor League Baseball Players.

As stated in the MLBPA’s Agent Regulations, an individual is prohibited from engaging in activities which require MLBPA certification unless and until that individual has been certified by the MLBPA.

MLBPA General Certified Agents are authorized to represent, assist, and advise Players in negotiating individual terms to be included in a Major or Minor League Uniform Player's Contract and in any other dealings with a Major or Minor League Club or the Commissioner’s Office concerning the administration or enforcement of a Uniform Player’s Contract.

The MLBPA has introduced a new Certification class, Certified Minor League Agents, for individuals who represent Minor League Baseball Players who are employed by a Club in the United States and Canada, and individuals who may become Minor League Baseball Players. Subject to the restrictions and other applicable provisions of the collective bargaining agreement and the MLBPA Agent Regulations, MLBPA Certified Minor League Agents are authorized to represent or advise a Player in negotiating individual terms to be included in a Minor League Uniform Player's Contract for a Player who is employed by a Club in the United States and Canada. MLBPA Certified Minor League Agents are also authorized to represent or advise a Player in any other dealings with a Club or the Commissioner’s Office concerning the administration or enforcement of a Minor League Uniform Player’s Contract, the Minor League Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, and the Major League Rules that apply to Minor League Baseball Players or those who may become Minor League Players.

Applicants for General Certification who have passed the MLBPA’s background investigation and General Certification Agent Exam may be certified as Minor League Agents if they submit to the MLBPA a Player Agent Designation form designating them as the agent of a Minor League Player in the United States or Canada, or a Player preparing to negotiate an individual salary, terms, and/or Special Covenants to be included in a Minor League Uniform Player's Contract and who is to be employed by a Club in the United States and Canada. A Certified Minor League Agent will be eligible for certification as General Certified Agent if their client is then added to the 40-man Major League roster or they sign a Major League Player, as defined by §2 of the Agent Regulations, as a client.

Applicants for General Certification who submit a complete application on or before June 1, 2024, may receive provisional authority from the MLBPA to negotiate terms to be included in a Minor League Uniform Player's Contract. If you would like to request such provisional authority, please contact the MLBPA by email at milbagent@mlbpa.org with the names of your minor league baseball clients. Any uncertified agent who has not submitted a complete application by June 1, 2024, will be prohibited from negotiating an individual salary, terms, and/or Special Covenants to be included in a Minor League Uniform Player's Contract for a Player who is to be employed by a Club in the United States and Canada (i.e. excluding Dominican Summer League).

Limited Certified Agents and Certified Minor League Agents are authorized to recruit Players and provide client maintenance services on behalf of a General Certified Agent.

Expert Agent Advisors are authorized to represent, assist and advise General Certified Agents on behalf of a Player regarding or relating to the negotiations of terms to be included in a Uniform Player’s Contract or in any other agreement, and the preparation and presentation of Players’ Salary Arbitration cases.

How to Apply for MLBPA Certification

The Deadline to Apply for MLBPA Certification is June 1, 2024. The date of the 2024 MLBPA Agent Exam will be set during the Spring of 2024.

To be eligible for MLBPA Certification, an applicant must:

  • Read, understand and agree to the MLBPA Regulations Governing Player Agents;

  • Complete the online Application for MLBPA Certification;

  • Submit a non-refundable Application fee of $2,500;

  • Submit a signed “Declaration by Applicant”

  • Provide permission for the MLBPA to conduct a background investigation;

  • Successfully complete the background investigation;

  • Pass the written examination; and

  • Submit to the MLBPA a valid and appropriate designation form applicable to the type of certification sought.

You may apply for MLBPA Certification even if you have not yet been designated as the Agent of a Player, designated as a Recruiter or Client Maintenance Service Provider by a General Certified Agent, or designated as an Expert Agent Advisor by a General Certified Agent. However, you will not be eligible for MLBPA Certification until you have submitted a complete application, cleared the background investigation, passed the written exam, and received the required designation applicable to the certification you are seeking.

Please consult the Application Instructions for more information about the application process. For answers to commonly asked questions, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions

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