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Read the TSSAA's new one-time transfer rule after Legislative Council approval
TL;DR
Tennessee high school athletes can now transfer schools one time without a change of address and remain eligible, following a TSSAA Legislative Council vote on April 14. This amendment aligns the TSSAA with a new state law signed by Gov. Bill Lee, effective July 1.
Read the TSSAA's new one-time transfer rule after Legislative Council approval
MT. JULIET â Tennessee high school athletes in middle school and high school can now transfer schools one time without a bona fide change of address and still be eligible, as long as it's their first transfer, after the TSSAA Legislative Council amended the TSSAAâs bylaws on April 14.
The Council voted 12-0 to approve a proposal that brought the TSSAA into compliance with Tennessee state law. Gov. Bill Lee signed a one-time transfer law in February, effective July 1, which was a result of years of efforts from legislators.
It was a significant formality that built upon a one-time transfer provision the TSSAA added last year, which allowed one free transfer but for non-athletic reasons. The sending school also had to attest that the move wasnât for sports.
CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lipscomb Academy shortstop Jack Dugan (11) drops the ball while attempting to tag CPAâs Roman Abbagnaro (36) at second base during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
CPA left fielder Kyler Gorley (4) watches a home run hit by Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan (11) is congratulated by coach Brad Coon after hitting a solo home run against CPA during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan (11) celebrates with teammate after hitting a solo home run against CPA during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
CPA second baseman Ames Dabrowiak (2) turns a double play against Lipscomb Academy during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
Lipscomb Academy shortstop Jack Dugan (11) drops the ball while attempting to tag CPAâs Roman Abbagnaro (36) at second base during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
CPA left fielder Kyler Gorley (4) watches a home run hit by Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
CPA pitcher Bo Holloway (21) throws to a Lipscomb Academy batter during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan (11) is congratulated by coach Brad Coon after hitting a solo home run against CPA during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
Lipscomb Academy's Jack Dugan (11) celebrates with teammate after hitting a solo home run against CPA during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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CPA faces Lipscomb Academy in TSSAA baseball matchup: Our best photos
CPA second baseman Ames Dabrowiak (2) turns a double play against Lipscomb Academy during the first inning of a TSSAA high school baseball game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
More: Tennessee one-time transfer law raises unanswered questions for TSSAA. What are they?
For the bulk of the TSSAAâs existence, the association made high school athletes sit out one year if they transferred schools without a bona fide change of address. That was the trend nationally for years as well.
But loosened transfer rules are becoming more common â especially with school-choice philosophy gaining popularity.
What is the new high school transfer rule in Tennessee?
The TSSAAâs rule change is not a free-for-all. Athletes must transfer between school years to be immediately eligible and are subject to other exceptions, such as the TSSAAâs recruiting rule, age rule and athletic link rule.
Any athlete with an athletic record who has already transferred, including those who transferred with a bona fide change of address, will not be allowed an additional transfer unless they receive a hardship waiver. For example, transfers under the TSSAA's previous one-time exception for non-athletic reasons will not be allowed an additional transfer.
A student who engages in three or more days of practice after the TSSAA first official date of practice with a school in which the student is enrolled shall be ineligible in that sport for that season if the student then enrolls in another school.
Here's an excpert from the wording:
â As required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-901, the first time a middle school student(grades 6-8) or a high school student (grades 9-12, or a student who participates invarsity high school athletics as an 8th grade student) transfers from one school toanother, upon verification and approval by the Executive Director, the student shall beeligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at his or her new school, so long as (1)the transfer occurs in the summer between the end of one school year and thebeginning of the ensuing school year, and (2) the student is not ineligible underSubsection B or by virtue of some other eligibility rule (e.g., Academic Rules, Age Rule,Semester Rule, Recruiting Rule, Tuition and Financial Aid Rule, etc.). The eligibilityprovided for in this provision shall not apply in the case of a second or subsequenttransfer at the middle school or high school level or in the case of a mid-school-yeartransfer by a student.
TSSAA one-time transfer provision covers 2025-26 transfers
The Council adopted a provision that will allow first-time transfers during the 2025-26 school year, prior to April 15, 2026, to be eligible at their new school provided they meet the other requirements for eligible students, such as the athletic link and age rule, etc.
A provision also allows other transfer students immediate eligibility regardless of when the transfer occurs or whether the student has previously transferred. That is applied if a student changes schools as a direct result of re-zoning of the existing residence of the studentâs family unit or re-assignment of students by the local school system provided the student transfers at the time they are re-zoned or re-assigned; a student who has been determined by a Court to be dependent and neglected and consequently changes residences and schools as a result of a Court order; a student is moving as a direct result of the dissolution of the student's home due to death; a student is in foster care and has consequently changed residences and schools as a result of a change in placement; or a student changes schools as a direct result of the military deployment of their parent or guardian.
This story will be updated.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean's high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is the new high school transfer rule in Tennessee? TSSAA details
Q&A
What is the new one-time transfer rule for Tennessee high school athletes?
The new rule allows Tennessee high school athletes to transfer schools one time without needing a bona fide change of address and still be eligible to play.
When does the one-time transfer law take effect in Tennessee?
The one-time transfer law in Tennessee takes effect on July 1.
What was the vote outcome for the TSSAA Legislative Council's approval of the transfer rule?
The TSSAA Legislative Council approved the transfer rule with a unanimous vote of 12-0.
How does the new transfer rule differ from previous TSSAA regulations?
The new rule allows for a one-time transfer without restrictions related to athletic reasons, whereas previous regulations required the sending school to confirm the transfer was not for sports.
