Tennessee high school sports governing body working on one-time transfer rule

The governing body for Tennessee high school sports and the state’s legislature are working on a law that will allow all student-athletes a one-time transfer for any reason in between school years. When passed, this rule could be in effect starting in the 2026-27 season.

In a report by The Tennessean’s Tyler Palmateer, the revised transfer law is due to a recent survey by the TSSAA showing that 60% of Tennessee high school principals are in favor of removing the restrictions for one-time transfer. Currently, the TSSAA allows a one-time transfer for “significant academic, social-emotional, environmental, or mental health needs.” Likewise, the school from which the student-athlete came must attest that the transfer is not for disciplinary purposes.

As Palmateer added, the TSSAA typically doesn’t want their policies turned into state law because they would be tougher to repeal. Ironically, Tennessee high school sports’ governing body even wrote to member schools last March that they must resist the one-time transfer rule being introduced by the state legislature. The governing body argues that such a law could prevent the possibility of having an unlimited transfer rule.

During the 2025 Tennessee legislative season, Representative Scott Cepicky and Senator Adam Lowe co-sponsored bills that forced the TSSAA to adopt a one-time free transfer rule. Instead, the group responded with a different version of a transfer guideline but with limitations.

While Lowe’s bill cleared the Senate in a 25-4 vote last April, Cepicky’s did not, even if there were some lawmakers who would push to disband the TSSAA or make it fall under the state government.

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