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Licensing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Athletic Commission

  1. How do I apply for a boxer license to compete in a professional boxing contest in the state of Maryland?
  2. How do I apply for an MMA contestant license to compete in a professional MMA contest in the state of Maryland?
  3. How do I apply for a wrestler license to participate in a professional wrestling match in the state of Maryland?
  4. How does a person or entity apply for a promoter license to hold a combative sports (boxing, kickboxing or MMA) event or a professional wrestling event in the state of Maryland?
  5. Does the Maryland State Athletic Commission drug test?

1. How do I apply for a boxer license to compete in a professional boxing contest in the state of Maryland?
Generally speaking, most individuals seeking to apply for a boxer license have already been approved by the commission and are scheduled to compete in a professional boxing contest in the state of Maryland. In such a scenario, the boxer should contact the respective matchmaker or promoter involved in a boxing event to discuss the scheduling of, and financial considerations related to, the medical exams and tests required by the Commission as a condition of licensure, as well as to inquire about the weigh-in activity. An individual who is not currently scheduled to compete in a professional boxing contest should review the commission licensing requirements for a boxer license and contact the Commission Executive Director by telephone at 410-230-6223 should he or she have any additional questions.

2. How do I apply for an MMA contestant license to compete in a professional MMA contest in the state of Maryland?
Generally speaking, most individuals seeking to apply for an MMA contestant license have already been approved by the commission and are scheduled to compete in a professional MMA contest in the state of Maryland. In such a scenario, the MMA contestant should contact the respective matchmaker or promoter involved in an MMA event to discuss the scheduling of, and financial considerations related to, the medical exams and tests required by the commission as a condition of licensure, as well as to inquire about the weigh-in activity. An individual who is not currently scheduled to compete in a professional MMA contest should review the commission licensing requirements for an MMA contestant license and contact the Commission Executive Director by telephone at 410-230-6223 should he or she have any additional questions.

3. How do I apply for a wrestler license to participate in a professional wrestling match in the state of Maryland?
Generally speaking, most individuals seeking to apply for a wrestler license have already been approved by the commission and are scheduled to participate in a wrestling match in the state of Maryland. In such a scenario, the wrestler applicant should: (1) review the commission licensing requirements for a wrestler license; and (2) contact Commission Executive Director by telephone at 410-230-6223 should he or she for any reason wish to obtain the wrestler license in advance of a wrestling event. While an annual physical exam is required by the commission as a condition of licensure, oftentimes the physician who is scheduled to perform at the venue the required pre-match physical exams of all participating wrestlers participating in a wrestling event also makes himself or herself available at the venue to perform the annual physical exam of a wrestler requiring licensure for a set fee. As such, the wrestler applicant may also be licensed at the venue prior to the start of a wrestling event. An individual who is not currently scheduled to participate in a wrestling match should review the commission licensing requirements for a wrestler license and contact the Commission Executive Director by telephone at 410-230-6223 should he or she have any additional questions.

4. How does a person or entity apply for a promoter license to hold a combative sports (boxing, kickboxing or MMA) event or a professional wrestling event in the state of Maryland?
After reviewing the licensing requirements for a promoter license, an individual or entity desirous of applying to the commission for a promoter license may call the Executive Director at 410-230-6223 to arrange an appointment to discuss the application process in detail, as well as the organizational elements to consider when planning to hold a combative sports (boxing, kickboxing or MMA) event or a wrestling event in the state of Maryland.

5. Does the Maryland State Athletic Commission drug test?
THC Threshold 150 Nanograms per milliliter

On January 17, 2024, the Maryland State Athletic Commission met in open session and voted unanimously to raise the threshold of 150 Nanograms per milliliter for a THC positive result from the previously set threshold of 50 Nanograms per milliliter. This new threshold will be in force for all events scheduled after January 18, 2024.