1. Licenses are issued for a calendar year beginning January first and ending December thirty-first. When applying for a license, the applicant shall submit the application affirming the information provided is correct.

2. The licenses available and the fees for each license are as follows: a. Contestant - Twenty-five dollars. b. Judge - Twenty-five dollars. c. Manager - Fifty dollars. d. Matchmaker - Fifty dollars. e. Physician - No fee. f. Promoter - Two hundred fifty dollars. g. Referee - Twenty-five dollars. h. Second or trainer - Twenty-five dollars. i. Timekeeper - Twenty-five dollars.

3. Except for a contestant and as otherwise indicated, every licensee shall: a. Provide proof that the applicant is eighteen years of age or older. A valid form of proof is a photo driver's license, state-issued identification card, tribal-issued identification card, passport, or birth certificate combined with additional photo identification. b. Have at least one year of verifiable experience and proficiency in either professional or amateur mixed fight style competition. c. Be licensed for each role the licensee has in the event, and if more than one, only may be required to pay the fee for the highest priced license issued to the licensee. d. Understand the commissioner will honor the actions of other regulatory jurisdictions. e. Understand the commissioner or commission may issue a verbal warning for the first infraction of the law or rules, a written warning for a second infraction, and a suspension up to six months for a third infraction. The commissioner or commission, without warning, may suspend a license for a violation that endangers the life or health of any person.

4. Every applicant for a judge, referee, or timekeeper license shall submit proof of qualifications, including certified training from the association of boxing commissions and combative sports.

5. Every applicant for a physician (medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine) license shall submit proof of licensure to practice medicine in the state of North Dakota and proof of certification through the association of ringside physicians.

6. Before the commissioner issues a license to a contestant, the applicant shall: a. Provide proof that the applicant is eighteen years of age or older. A valid form of proof is a photo driver's license, state-issued identification card, tribal-issued identification card, passport, or birth certificate combined with additional photo identification.

1. b. Have and provide a mixed martial arts national identification card issued by the association of boxing commissions and combative sports or apply for one through the commissioner.
2. c. Provide the contestant's legal name, photo identification, address, contact telephone number, social security number, birth date, height, weight, eye color, any distinguishing marks and, if applicable, professional name.
3. d. Provide the names and contact information of the contestant's manager and trainer.
4. e. If a female contestant, certify the contestant is not pregnant.
5. f. Disclose whether the contestant has been suspended during the preceding twelve months, by which jurisdiction, and for what reason.
6. g. Submit to the commissioner the results of current laboratory work and medical examinations on forms prescribed by the commissioner, which state the contestant is cleared to participate in a combative sports match including bloodwork results for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV. Bloodwork results are valid for six months from the date the blood was drawn. The commissioner shall not issue a license to an applicant submitting positive test results for HBsAg, HCV, or HIV.
7. h. Undergo at the discretion of the commissioner and the contestant's expense any of the following medical examinations and submit the results for approval to participate:
8. (1) A physical examination performed by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic medicine, advanced practice nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Physical examinations are valid for one year from the date of examination.
9. (2) An ophthalmological examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist which includes dilation designed to detect any retinal defects or other damage or condition of the eye that may be aggravated by combative sports. Ophthalmological examinations are valid for one year from the date of examination.
10. (3) Other appropriate neurological or physical examinations before any contest, if the commissioner determines the examination is desirable to protect the health of the contestant.
11. i. Understand the contestant may not compete in a contest or exhibition within seven days of their previous contest or within ninety days of a contest in which the contestant was unable to defend himself or herself.
12. j. Understand the commissioner may honor the actions of other regulatory jurisdictions.
13. k. Understand the commissioner may hold an informal hearing to determine whether a contestant may be licensed or whether an existing license may be suspended or revoked. The contestant or designated representative may attend.
14. l. Understand the commissioner may deny the contestant's license application or suspend or revoke an existing license if, in the judgment of the commissioner or commission, the contestant is guilty of an act detrimental to the integrity of mixed fighting style competition, or to the public interest.
15. m. Understand the commissioner or commission may issue a verbal warning for the first infraction of the law or rules, a written warning for a second infraction, and a suspension up to six months for a third infraction. The commissioner or commission, without warning, may suspend a license for a violation that endangers the life or health of any person.

n. Understand the contestant may request an informal hearing before the commissioner to review the suspension or revocation of a license for a recent knockout, injury, or other medical reason to provide proof of sufficiently improved physical condition. The contestant also may request an informal hearing before the commissioner to review a suspension or revocation of a license for a positive drug test, providing a false alias, or having false identification or providing a false document or information to obtain a license.

History: Effective October 1, 2006; amended effective July 1, 2016; October 1, 2020; October 1, 2025.

General Authority: NDCC 53-01-07

Law Implemented: NDCC 53-01-01.1, 53-01-02