Certification or Licensing
Many sports agents obtain a license or professional certification or registration as demonstration of their commitment and integrity. Although these are not yet mandatory, it is one way for athletes to determine who, among agents, is legitimate and therefore a better person to hire. Agents working for clients who belong to unions, such as the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), are required to obtain certification or a union franchise. Basically, agents who obtain certification or a franchise agree to abide by the standards created by the union to protect its members. To become certified by the NFLPA, for example, agents must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $2,500, have an undergraduate AND post-graduate degree (master's or law), participate in a two-day seminar, and pass a written examination.
Agents who start their own firms may need a business license in certain states. Contact your state’s department of professional regulation for information on requirements in your state.
- Aerobics Instructors and Fitness Trainers
- Animal Trainers
- Antiques and Art Dealers
- Aromatherapists
- Artists
- Athletic Directors
- Auctioneers
- Automotive Dealership Owners
- Automotive Dealership Sales Managers
- Barbers
- Bed and Breakfast Owners
- Bicycle Mechanics
- Bloggers
- Brewers
- Caterers
- Chief Executive Officers
- Child Care Service Owners
- Cleaning Service Owners
- Computer Support Service Owners
- Construction Managers
- Cosmetics Shop Owners and Managers
- Cosmetologists
- Driving School Owners and Instructors
- Edupreneurs
- Entrepreneurs
- E-Sports Professionals
- Exercise Physiologists
- Export-Import Specialists
- Farmers
- Film and Television Producers
- Financial Planners
- Financial Services Brokers
- Fitness Directors
- Franchise Owners
- Gallery Owners and Directors
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Gunsmiths
- Health Club Owners and Managers
- Home Stagers
- Illustrators
- Information Brokers
- Interior Designers and Decorators
- Internet Consultants
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Jockeys
- Lawn and Gardening Service Owners
- Life Insurance Agents and Brokers
- Literary Agents
- Medical Billing Service Owners
- Motivational Speakers
- Personal Chefs
- Personal Trainers
- Pet Sitters
- Photographers
- Podcasters
- Professional Athletes, Individual Sports
- Professional Athletes, Team Sports
- Real Estate Developers
- Recreation Workers
- Retail Business Owners
- Ski Resort Workers
- Songwriters
- Sports Broadcasters and Announcers
- Sports Equipment Managers
- Sports Executives
- Sports Facility Managers
- Sports Instructors and Coaches
- Sports Photographers
- Sports Physicians
- Sports Psychologists
- Sports Publicists
- Sports Scouts
- Sports Trainers
- Sportswriters
- Stadium Ushers and Vendors
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches
- Umpires and Referees
- Wedding and Party Consultants
- Writers