Application & Registration Process
The Idaho Athletic Commission regulates all contests and exhibitions involving unarmed combat between individuals. Such events include all boxing, wrestling and martial arts contests or exhibitions, including simultaneous telecasts of any live, current or spontaneous event on a closed circuit telecast within Idaho, whether originating in Idaho or elsewhere.
The promoter of such an event is required to make application to the Athletic Commission and receive a sanctioning permit before such an event may be held. Such permit shall entitle the holder thereof to conduct the event under the laws and rules of the Commission and at a specific time and place.
All Commission approvals shall be in writing and authorized by the Commissioner.
In addition, each promoter, manager, booking agent, matchmaker, referee,
second, timekeeper, judge, physician, and combatant must also obtain and
maintain an annual license. Before issuing any license or sanctioning
permit, the Commission shall consider the following in order of importance:
(1) The preservation of the safety and health of the
contestants;
(2) The best interest and welfare of the public; and
(3) The best interest of the sport in general.
LICENSING
An application for a license must be made in writing on forms supplied by the commission and be verified under oath by the applicant. Any false statement on an application is grounds for the denial of the application or the revocation of the license, if the license has already been issued.
Any ring official, any person licensed by the commission and any applicant for a license must submit to the commission any forms, records, and statements at the times and manner as directed by the commission.
The commission may deny an application or revoke a license if it finds that the applicant or licensee or any partner, officer, director, stockholder, or employee of the applicant or licensee has performed any act which would, if performed by a licensee, subject the licensee to discipline pursuant to law or rule, or knowingly dealt or consorted with any person who: has been convicted of a felony; engages in illegal bookmaking; engages in any illegal gambling activity; is a reputed underworld character; has a recent history of drug abuse; is under suspension from any other commission; or is engaged in any activity or practice which is detrimental to the best interests of the sports of unarmed combat.
COMBATANT
Every combatant not yet eighteen (18) years of age or over thirty-six (36) years of age must have an application for license reviewed by the commission so that experience and fitness may be considered before a license is issued. The commission will not issue a license to any applicant who is found to be blind in one (1) eye or whose vision in one (1) eye is so poor that a physician recommends that no license be granted. The commission will not issue a license to any person who has suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. The commission will review the application of any person who has suffered a serious head injury before a license is issued to that person.
Before a license issued, the commission must be satisfied of the person’s ability to compete. If a combatant’s ability to perform is questioned for any reason, the commission may hold a hearing to determine whether the person’s license should be revoked; or whether the person should be granted a license.
A physician shall examine any combatant who has applied for a license or applied to renew a license. The physician shall establish the combatant’s physical and mental fitness for competition. Any combatant licensed by the commission who participates in a contest outside of the state of Idaho may be required to take this examination again before being allowed to compete in Idaho. The Commission will not issue a license to an athlete who has a recent history of drug abuse, without proof of participation in a recognized drug rehabilitation program and/or submission to urinalysis. The Commission will not issue a license to an athlete who has tested positive to the HIV virus. A current test report must accompany the license application.
The commission may honor the disciplinary actions and other sanctions of agencies in other jurisdictions which regulate sports of unarmed combat.
Without the special permission of the commission, a combatant may not compete in this state unless: Four days have elapsed since his last contest if the contest lasted not more than 4 rounds, or seven days have elapsed since his last contest if the contest lasted 5 or 6 rounds, or fourteen days have elapsed since his last contest if the contest lasted 9 or 10 rounds, or twenty-one days have elapsed since his last contest if the contest lasted 9 or 10 rounds, or forty-five days have elapsed since his last contest if the contest lasted 11 or 12 rounds, or sixty days have elapsed since his last contest if the contest lasted 13, 14, or 15 rounds.
A female combatant must be qualified to perform as a combatant before she enters a contest. A female combatant shall not engage in a contest with a male combatant. In addition to meeting such requirements of this chapter as are applicable to combatants generally, a female shall: use a mouthpiece specially designed for her mouth; wear ten (10) ounce gloves in a contest; wear a breast protector as a binder; have her hair secured in a manner that does not interfere with the vision or safety of either contestant; use a minimum of cosmetics; and for each contest in which she competes, have two (2) uniforms in contrasting colors, each uniform consisting of a body shirt, blouse, and shorts. A female combatant shall, in addition to signing the contract, sign an addendum indicating that to her knowledge she is not pregnant and that the contest will not take place during a menstrual period. A contest between female combatants must be limited to ten (10) rounds or two (2) minutes duration. The promoters of a contest between female combatants shall provide them with adequate separate dressing rooms. The annual physical examination of a female combatant shall include an examination of the pelvis. Before each contest, the examining physician shall make an abdominal examination and shall examine the breasts and note any masses.
Any contestant who fails to appear in an event in which he signed a contract to appear, without a written excuse determined to be valid by the commission or a certificate from a physician designated by the commission in advance in case of physical disability, is subject to disciplinary action. Any combatant who files a certificate from a physician designated by the commission stating that he is unable to fulfill a contract because of physical disability shall, on being restored to the eligible list, fulfill his contract with the same opponent or a suitable substitute specified in the contract within a reasonable time, that period to be set by the commission, unless the combatant is release from the contract by mutual agreement. You may download an application for a combatant license.
PROMOTER
Any person applying for a license as a promoter may be required to appear before the commission and be prepared to prove his: integrity; financial stability; and knowledge of the responsibilities involved in the promotion of programs involving unarmed combat. The applicant, or a person designated if approved by the commission, must provide all waivers necessary to the conduct of the commission’s investigation of the applicant’s suitability.Every contestant must be paid in full according to his contract, and no part of his remuneration may be withheld except by order of the commission, nor may any part of his remuneration be returned through arrangement with his manager to any matchmaker or promoter, except as otherwise provided in this section. With the prior written permission of a member of the commission, a promoter may withhold from the purse of a combatant money advanced to the combatant for transportation and maintenance in preparation for a contest, if their agreement so provides. A manager’s share of the purse may be deducted and paid directly to the manager if the contract so specifies. If arbitration of a contract entered into by a manager and combatant is pending before the commission or if the contract is in litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction, the commission may withhold the amount in dispute in the commission’s trust fund until resolution of the dispute or pay the disputed amount to the clerk of the court in which the litigation is pending. Neither a contestant nor his manager may assign his share of the purse, or any portion thereof, without the approval of the commission. If a contestant or manager wants to assign his share of the purse, he must file a written request with the commission at least seven (7) working days before the contest.
All payment of purses must be made immediately after the contest or exhibition, or If the contestant is to receive a percentage of the net receipts, immediately after that percentage is determined by a person designated by the commission, unless otherwise ordered by the commission. Except as otherwise provided, before the start of a contest or exhibition, the promoter shall deliver to the commission, checks or cash for all payments to the entitled persons. The commission shall provide the promoter a written receipt for any cash received. Immediately after the contest or exhibition, the person designated by the commission will release the checks or cash to the entitled persons and will obtain their signatures on a list in which they acknowledge the payment.
A promoter may not deduct any amount from the gate receipts, other than for any federal taxes and the fees prescribed herein until all combatants who are to be paid a percentage of the receipts have been paid, unless the amount to be paid to the combatant is specified in his contract. A contract which provides that a combatant must fight exclusively for one (1) promoter or at his option is prohibited, and a contract which provides that a combatant is to pay for the services of his opponent is prohibited.
A contract between a promoter and a combatant for the main and semi-main events of a program must be placed on file with the commission at least seven (7) working days before the event unless the commission gives special approval for filing the contract closer to the time of weighing in. Contracts for all combatants who will be contending in the program must be filed before the scheduled time for weighing in. A promoter or matchmaker who fails to file a contract for any participant whose name is released to the news media is subject to disciplinary action. Any contract by the promoter for the sale, lease or other use of rights to broadcast, televise including a right to make a closed-circuit telecast, or take motion pictures of a contest must be placed on file with the commission at least five (5) working days before the even unless the promoter obtains special approval from the commission for filing the contract at a time closer to the event.
Each contestant working on a percentage basis, must be paid on the basis of the net receipts of each exhibition after state and federal taxes, ring expenses and the price of complimentary tickets upon which a price is specified, have been deducted.
A promoter licensed by the commission shall not directly or indirectly make any loan or advance to any combatant, wrestler or manager except as provided in this rule.
A promoter shall not schedule fewer than twenty-five (25) rounds on any one (1) program.
A promoter shall not retain a person for any of the following positions unless he is licensed by the commission: Referee; Second; Timekeeper; Combatant; Wrestler; Matchmaker; or Physician.
The promoter shall admit to an event any referee, judge, ringside physician, inspector, or timekeeper who is licensed by the commission and presents his card evidencing that license and who has been directed to officiate at said event.
A promoter must pay the fee set by the commission to any person whom the commission directs to officiate in an event promoted by that promoter.
A promoter may not postpone a program unless the postponement is approved by the commission.
A promoter shall not, directly or indirectly, create any indebtedness which becomes the obligation of a combatant or manager unless the promoter has the express written permission of the commission for that action.
The promoter may withhold an amount of not more than ten percent (10%) of the purse for payment of expenses incurred by the contestant. A reconciliation of those expenses and payment of the undistributed portion of the purse must be made to the commission on the commission’s form within 7 working days after the contest. The reconciliation must bear written approval of the contestant before it is submitted. If good cause is shown, the chairman of the commission may grant an extension of the date for reconciliation for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the contest. A promoter who wishes to pay the purse by an alternative method of payment shall submit a written application to the commission at least 30 days before the contest and describe in detail the alternative method of payment contemplated, show good cause for a waiver of the provisions for payment, comply with all requirements of the commission regarding the production of relevant information and follow precisely the procedural directives of the commission if the request is granted.
At any time before the award of a purse to a contestant, a commissioner may specify any amount not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) which must be retained from the contestant’s purse and transferred from the promoter to the commission. The money will not be given to the contestant until the commission determines that no penalty in lieu of revoking the contestant’s license will be charged for any action or condition of the contestant. Any amount so specified is not a limitation upon the amount of a penalty which may be charged.
A match may not be arranged on behalf of any promoter except by a licensed matchmaker.
You may download an application for a promoter license.
REFEREE, JUDGE, & TIMEKEEPER
To qualify for a license as a referee, judge, or timekeeper of contests, an applicant must: be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; have no record of conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; have had at least one (1) year experience in either amateur or professional events as a referee, judge, or timekeeper, whichever is appropriate; submit verifications from three (3) persons of his proficiency as a referee, judge, or timekeeper, whichever is appropriate; and except as otherwise provided, successfully pass the commission annual examination and successfully complete an internships established by the commission. In lieu of the examination and internship, the commission may accept satisfactory evidence of equivalent qualifications possessed by an applicant who: is currently licensed in another state or country; or formerly held a Idaho license which lapsed in good standing. A person holding a current Idaho license or who formerly held an Idaho license which lapsed in good standing may be licensed by the commission without examination or internship to perform an officiating function other than that for which he is or was licensed if the commission determines that he is qualified to perform that function. The commission will determine when additional ring officials are needed and when licensing examinations for ring officials will be conducted. The renewal of a license is not automatic. The applicant’s past performance and abilities may be considered in evaluating his application for renewal. You may download an application for an official's license.
RINGSIDE PHYSICIAN
Ringside physicians shall be currently licensed by the Idaho Board of Medicine. All ringside physician's must be approved by the commission and may be required to attend specific training specific to the duties of a ringside physician. A physician currently licensed in Idaho may submit a written request to the commission for approval to provide ringside services. Physicians must show proof of annual certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
MANAGER
All persons serving as managers at any contest must be licensed by the commission. A manager licensed by the commission may act as a second without having a second’s license. Each applicant shall meet the following requirements:
- Have had at least one (1) year documented experience in either amateur or professional boxing, wrestling, or martial arts; and
- Submit verifications from three (3) persons of the applicant’s character; and
- Successfully pass the commission examination and successfully complete an internships established by the commission; OR In lieu of the examination and internship, the commission may accept satisfactory evidence of equivalent qualifications possessed by an applicant who is currently licensed in another state or country; or who formerly held a Idaho license which lapsed in good standing. You may download an application for a manager license.
Contracts
The commission may refuse to honor a contract between a manager and a combatant unless it is filed with the commission at least forty-eight (48) hours before a scheduled contest and it complies with the requirements of law & rule.
The term of the contract shall not be for more than four (4) years. Such a contract may contain an option which permits the manager, at the expiration of the initial term, to renew the contract for an additional period of not more than two (2) years. A manager intending to exercise an option to renew shall, at least sixty (60) days before the expiration of the initial term of the contract, send a written notice to the commission and the combatant of his intent. The renewal shall be deemed effective unless the combatant notifies the commission in writing that the validity of the contract is currently in litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction or has requested arbitration under the provisions of the contract. A manager may not contract to receive the services of a combatant under his management for a match which is scheduled to take place after the expiration of the contract.
A contract between a combatant and a manager may provide for voluntary binding arbitration of disputes by the commission. If so agreed, the arbitration must be conducted by a member of the commission mutually agreed upon by the two (2) parties or, if there is no agreement, by a member of the commission appointed by the commissioner. The arbitration must be conducted pursuant to generally accepted arbitration standards.
The commission may approve a contract entered into in another jurisdiction by a person who is not a resident of Idaho if the contract is on file with and is approved by the regulating body in the other jurisdiction and the terms of the contract comply with the requirements of this section.
A manager may not negotiate or sign for matches for a combatant who is not under contract to him. Any combatant who does not have a contract with a licensed manager must sign for his/her own contest and sign the receipt for his/her own purse.
A manager or managers may not participate separately or collectively in more than thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of a combatant’s earnings in the ring.
An interest which a combatant or a manager has in a contract may not be assigned unless a copy of the proposed assignment is submitted to the commission and the commission approves the assignment.
If a manager signs only for a combatant’s appearance at a contest, a copy of the manager’s authorization to negotiate and sign for the combatant must accompany the contract which he concluded with the promoter. If the manager does not send a copy of his authorization, the commission may deny any application received from the combatant or manager pending a hearing before the commission.
Any manager who advances or lends any money to any combatant or incurs indebtedness on behalf of a combatant shall furnish an accounting in writing to the combatant every ninety (90) days. The accounting must be verified by the manager and set forth each item of indebtedness owed by the combatant, the date that the indebtedness occurred, the purpose of the indebtedness, and the name of the person to whom the debt is owed.
A manager may not have more than three (3) combatants under his management in any one (1) program unless he has obtained written permission to do so from the commission.
SECOND
All persons serving as seconds at any contest must be licensed by the commission. Each applicant shall meet the following requirements:
- Have had at least one (1) year documented experience in either amateur or professional boxing, wrestling, or martial arts; and
- Submit verifications from three (3) persons of the applicant’s character; and
- Successfully pass the commission examination and successfully complete an internships established by the commission; OR In lieu of the examination and internship, the commission may accept satisfactory evidence of equivalent qualifications possessed by an applicant who is currently licensed in another state or country; or who formerly held a Idaho license which lapsed in good standing.
The Chief Second shall provide and maintain a first aid kit containing no less than the following: A clear plastic water bottle; A bucket containing ice; A solution of a kind approved by the commission for stopping hemorrhaging; Adhesive tape; Gauze; Scissors; One (1) extra mouthpiece. No ammonia may be used in the ring. The ringside physician or a commission’s representative may inspect the contents of the chief second’s first-aid kit at any time.
The Chief Second shall be held responsible for the conduct of all assistant seconds during the progress of the contest.
No contestant shall have more than three (3) seconds except that in a contest for a world title the commission may authorize four (4) seconds. Such authorization must be in writing and specify the names and license numbers of each second so approved.
Only one (1) of the seconds may be inside the ring ropes between rounds.
A second may not coach loudly or excessively from the corners during the rounds.
Any excessive or undue spraying or throwing of water on any boxer by a second between rounds is prohibited.
When a combatant appears to have been injured during the course of a round, the manager or second shall not attempt to render aid before the physician has had an opportunity to examine the combatant.
A combatant who has been knocked out must be kept in a prone position. Except for the referee or chief second, who may remove the combatant's mouthpiece, no one may touch the combatant until the ringside physician has examined the combatant and has issued instructions to the seconds.
A combatant, who has been knocked or has fallen through the ropes and over the edge of the ring platform during the contest, may be helped back by anyone except his seconds or manager. The referee may allow a reasonable amount of time for the contestant to return to the ring. If the combatant is on the ring platform outside the ropes, the combatant must enter the ring immediately to resume the contest or take a count. The referee shall start the count as soon a the combatant is back in the ring.
You may download an application for a second's license.
PROGRAM APPROVAL
No contest shall be held without the prior approval of the commission and a Sanction Permit being issued. A request for approval of a date for an event must be made in writing to the commission at the time the promoter submits the sanction permit application. The failure of the promoter to notify the commission of a cancellation at least 7 calendar days before the date for the program will result in the forfeiture of the sanction permit fee and may subject the promoter to disciplinary action.
A promoter must submit a sanction permit application to the commission and receive a permit to hold a contest on a specific date, before he may announce or advertise the contest or exhibition.
A promoter shall, within seven (7) days prior to the holding of any event, file with the commission a statement setting forth the name of each contestant, manager or managers and such other information as the commission may require.
Participant changes within a twenty-four (24) hour period regarding an event may be allowed after written notice to the commission, if the new participant holds a valid license under this chapter.
Gross Receipts Report
Within seventy-two (72) hours after the termination of any event the promoter shall file with the commission a gross receipts report, duly verified as the commission may require showing the number of tickets sold for such contest, the price charged for such tickets and the gross receipts thereof, and such other and further information as the commission may require.
The promoter shall pay to the commission at the time of filing the above report a tax equal to five percent (5%) of the gross receipts for deposit by the commission.
The number of complimentary tickets shall be limited to two percent (2%) of the total tickets sold per event location. All complimentary tickets exceeding this set amount shall be subject to taxation.
Gross receipts reports signed by the promoter under oath shall
include:
(a) The name of the promoter;
(b) The event title, location, date and sanctioning
permit number;
(c) The promoter's business address and license number;
(d) Gross receipts for the event (detailed by
categories as appropriate);
(e) The total seating capacity of the venue;
(f) The total number of tickets printed and the
specific face values;
(g) The price charged for individual tickets and the
number of tickets sold in each price category;
(h) The total number of Complementary Tickets
distributed;
(i) The total number of Press Passes Issued
and the name & affiliation of each person receiving a Press Pass.
(j) The total amount of any promoter added
fees or taxes;
(k) A tax payment equal to five percent
(5%) of the gross receipts.
In addition to the information required on gross receipts reports, the commission may request, and the promoter shall furnish, any information deemed necessary for a correct computation of the assessment levied.
The promoter shall compute and pay to the commission the required assessment due. If the payment of the assessment is not postmarked or delivered to the commission within 72 hours of the event, the assessment shall be delinquent from such date.
It shall be the duty of every promoter required to make a gross receipts report to keep and preserve suitable records and documents which may be necessary to determine the amount of assessment due as will substantiate and prove the accuracy of such reports. All such records shall be preserved for a period of three (3) years, and shall be open to examination at any time by the commission or by its authorized agents.
A person who wishes to present an event for charitable purposes must file with the commission a sanction permit application to present the program. The application must contain the name of the charity, charitable fund or organization which is to benefit from the program and the amount or percentage of the receipts of the program which is to be paid to the charity. Within 72 hours after such a program is held, the promoter shall furnish to the commission a certified itemized statement of the receipts and expenditures in connection with the program and the net amount paid to the charitable fund or organization. If the promoter fails to file the statement within the prescribed time, the commission may suspend or revoke the promoter’s license and not thereafter issue a permit to the promoter for the holding of any program for charitable purposes.
You may download an application for a Sanction Permit.
OFFICIALS
The licensed officials of matches are the referees, judges, timekeepers, physician, and commission’s representative. All the officials are approved and assigned by the commission. The promoter may select the announcer, subject to the commission’s approval.
The Commission will select the referee for the main event in championship contests and for contests which the commission considers to be special events. The commission will set the fee which the referee is entitled to receive for an event. If any licensee of the commission protests the assignment of a referee, the protesting licensee will be given a hearing by the commission if time permits. If time does not permit, the matter will be heard by 2 commissioners in order to make such disposition of the protest as the facts may justify. Protests not made in a timely manner may be summarily rejected.
Each referee licensed by the commission must annually undergo a complete physical examination, including an eye examination conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The licensee must produce all records of the examination at the request of the commission.
The commission will select the judges for the main event in championship contests and for any other contests which the commission considers to be special events. If any licensee of the commission protests the assignment of a judge, the protesting license will be given a hearing by the commission if time permits. If time does not permit, the matter will be heard by two (2) commissioners in order to make such disposition of the protest as the facts may justify. Protests not made in a timely manner may be summarily rejected. The commission will set the fee which the judges are entitled to receive for an event. The judges must be stationed ringside at places designated by the commission. Each judge licensed by the commission may be required to submit to or provide proof of a complete physical examination, including an eye examination.
You may download an application for an Event Sanctioning Permit and the applications for licensure as a promoter, matchmaker, referee, judge, timekeeper, manager, or second, or combatant.
Applications may also be obtained by contacting:
Idaho Athletic Commission
Idaho
Bureau of Occupational Licenses
1109 Main St., Suite 220
Boise, ID 83702-5642
e-mail: atc@ibol.state.id.us
phone: (208) 334-3233
Please include your name, address, & daytime phone number with your request:
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Last Modified - June 09, 2008