The 2025 edition of the IAC Contest Rules is now available to IAC members at:
https://www.iac.org/download-contest-rules
Most of the changes are a direct result of member input. Twenty proposals were submitted by members. After these were published, other members provided valuable comments. The Rules Committee discussed each proposal and associated comments in depth, then provided recommendations to the IAC Board of Directors. After regarding all related implications, the Board determined a final disposition for each. The eight accepted items were then incorporated into the 2025 edition.
A summary of the 2025 changes from the 2024 rules can be found athttps://www.iac.org/download-contest-rules. For ready reference, the new book includes black vertical “change bars” in the outside page margins where there are significant differences from the 2024 edition. These mark the approved rule changes as well as a handful of editorial (not changing the intent of a rule, i.e. rewording for clarification or consistency) updates.
The Rules Committee has worked to bring you a robust set of rules for both competitor and judge use. We understand how important the rules are to all users and recognize that improvement is always possible. Please keep submitting proposals for any areas you believe could be enhanced so that together we can keep the rules a positive influence on our enjoyment of this great sport. Guidance for providing input is in Section 1 of the book. Informal comments are also welcome anytime – Simply contact the Rules Committee at the email below.
Barrett Hines
Rules Chair
ruleschair@iac.org
