Can North Carolina high school athletes make NIL money?

Yes — private school athletes since July 2024, and public school athletes since an October 2024 court order.

What do NC athletes have to do before signing an NIL deal?

Complete the NIL education course from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) — it's required before any deal.

Can my coach or school help me land NIL deals in North Carolina?

No. Schools and coaches cannot facilitate deals or act as an athlete's agent or marketing representative.

NIL Rules by State › North Carolina

North Carolina High School NIL Rules

What student-athletes and parents in North Carolina need to know about name, image, and likeness — in plain language.

Rules verified as of August 2026What does this date mean?

High school NIL allowed?

Yes

Parent co-sign (under 18)

Generally required

School logos & uniforms

Restricted

The short version

North Carolina's path was unusual: private (NCISAA) school athletes could do NIL from July 2024, and a court order in October 2024 opened NIL to public school athletes as well. Before doing any deal, NC athletes must complete an NIL education course from the NFHS, and schools/coaches cannot facilitate deals.

Key rules in North Carolina

Public school athletes may earn NIL following an October 2024 court order; private NCISAA athletes have been able since July 2024.Source: NC State Board of Education NIL rule (16 NCAC 06E .0200 series); Oct 2024 court order
Athletes must complete the NFHS NIL education course before entering any NIL deal.Source: NC SBE NIL rule
Schools and coaches cannot facilitate deals or act as a student's agent or marketing representative.Source: NC SBE NIL rule
Prohibited categories include adult entertainment, alcohol, cannabis, controlled substances, firearms and ammunition, gambling, and opioids/prescription drugs.Source: NC SBE NIL rule

Common questions

Can North Carolina high school athletes make NIL money?: Yes — private school athletes since July 2024, and public school athletes since an October 2024 court order.
What do NC athletes have to do before signing an NIL deal?: Complete the NIL education course from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) — it's required before any deal.
Can my coach or school help me land NIL deals in North Carolina?: No. Schools and coaches cannot facilitate deals or act as an athlete's agent or marketing representative.

Your next step

Before anyone signs anything, walk through the free pre-deal checklist together — it covers payment terms, exclusivity, and North Carolina's rules step by step.

Run the Free Pre-Deal Checklist

Reading this to make a decision?

North Carolina's NIL rules can change at any time. Everything on this page is current as of August 2026 — the last date we checked it against the official sources. Laws and policies may have been updated or changed since then, so before acting on anything important, confirm the details with the original source listed above or your school's compliance office.

NIL rules in other states

More NIL resources

Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney in your state, and reviewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and My NIL Guide, JSL Lead Enterprises, L.L.C., its owners, or any affiliated person.

NIL laws and school/athletic-association policies vary by state and change frequently. While we work to keep this information current, we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or applicability to your specific situation. Before entering into any NIL agreement or relying on information about your state's rules, consult your school's compliance office and/or a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

About the "verified as of" date: it shows the last time we checked this page against the official published rules (the state athletic association's policy, state law, or the agency named in the sources above). Rules can change at any time after that date, so before acting on anything important, double-check directly with the original source, your school's compliance office, or a licensed attorney. This page was last verified on August 2026. If you believe any information here is outdated or inaccurate, please contact us.

"My NIL Guide" is a trade name for an educational technology product of JSL Lead Enterprises, L.L.C. It is not the name of a law firm or a professional services organization. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any high school athletic association, college, university, athletic conference, the NCAA, or any professional sports organization. All team names, association names, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are referenced for informational and educational purposes only. See the full My NIL Guide disclaimer, Terms, and Privacy Policy.