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Combative sports frequently asked questions

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Fast facts

  • The Office of Combative Sports (OCS) at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) regulates the following combative sports contests:

    • Amateur:  MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai and tough person contests

    • Professional:  boxing, MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai and tough person contests

  • All other martial arts contests and amateur boxing events must be regulated by a sanctioning organization approved by the commissioner of DLI. Download a Sanctioning Body Approval Request form.

  • All Office of Combative Sports licenses expire one calendar year from the date of issuance.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Contents:

Combatants

What is required to become a combatant?

The following are required for all combatants:

  • Apply for combatant license (amateur or pro).

  • Complete and submit physical exam clearance form.

  • Complete and submit dilated eye exam clearance form.

  • Complete and submit required blood work (HEP B Antigen, HEP C, HIV).

  • Must have a valid Federal Boxing ID (boxers only) or National MMA ID (MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai)

Where can I find the medical forms for the physical and dilated eye exams?

Download medical-related forms here.

Is there a form I need to fill out for my blood work results?

No. Submit a detailed report that includes your name, name of the clinic, date of collection and the results for each test (HEP B Antigen, HEP C, and HIV).

Where can I get my blood work done?

Any local lab or refer to your physician. Otherwise, two resources that specialize in blood work for combatants are RequestATest and Advanced Sports Labs.  

Do I need to submit results for HEP B Antigen if I received my immunization shots and am considered immune to the disease?

No, but you will need to submit your immunization records yearly to meet the blood work clearance requirement. 

Where do I submit my medical/licensing paperwork?

You can submit all combatant-related licensing paperwork by email to combativesport.dli@state.mn.us or brandon.m.solem@state.mn.us.

How long are my medicals good for?

All medicals are good for one calendar year from the date of the exam or the date that blood was drawn.

Can I submit medical forms from other states?

Yes, but they will need to meet our requirements and clear you specifically for combative sports. 

How do I apply for my Federal Boxing ID (boxers only)?

All professional boxers MUST have a valid Federal Boxing ID to compete in boxing. You must apply for your Federal Boxing ID in the state that you reside in. Download a Federal Boxing ID application. Along with this application, submit a color headshot photo and a copy of your photo ID. For Minnesota residents, email your completed application, color headshot photo and copy of your photo ID to combativesport.dli@state.mn.us for review.

If I am a professional boxer, but do not reside in the United States, who can I contact for a Federal Boxing ID?

Professional boxers who reside outside of the United States can apply for their Federal Boxing ID through the state that they are scheduled to compete in. 

What is the cost for a Federal Boxing ID and how long is it good for?

In Minnesota there is no cost for obtaining a Federal Boxing ID. The ID is good for four calendar years after the date of issuance.

Who needs a National MMA ID and how do I get one?

All combatants (professional and amateur) who are planning to compete in MMA, kickboxing or Muay Thai must have a valid National MMA ID. National MMA IDs can be issued by any state. Download a National MMA ID application. Along with this application, submit a color headshot photo and a copy of your photo ID. Email your completed application, color headshot photo and copy of your photo ID to combativesport.dli@state.mn.us for review. 

What is the cost for a National MMA ID and how long is it good for?

In Minnesota there is no cost for obtaining a National MMA ID. The ID is good for a period of five calendar years after the date of issuance. 

What is required for me to be licensed as a professional fighter?

You will need to apply for your Minnesota pro combatant license. OCS will review your application and any prior combative sports experience. You must meet all of the minimum medical/licensure requirements. We may request additional medical exams if determined it is desirable to protect the health of the combatant. View more information about licensing requirements. 

Can I use my own gloves when I fight?

No, promoters are required to provide gloves that are inspected/approved by OCS.

Can I wear joint protection when I fight?

Yes, but only on the lower body. It is permissible to wear a soft neoprene type sleeve over the knee or ankle joints. The sleeve must be black in color or the color of your assigned corner. Other than the competitor’s hands, there will be no taping, covering or protective gear of any kind on the upper body.

What happens if I don’t see the ringside physician for a post-bout exam?

If you refuse to see the ringside physician for your post-bout exam, you will be placed on an indefinite medical suspension until you receive clearance from your primary care physician.

Does every fighter get suspended after a fight?

Yes, all fighters are required by law to serve a minimum 14-day rest suspension regardless of winning or losing. Additional medical suspensions can be issued based on fight result and/or recommendations made by the ringside physician.

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Corners

How many corners are allowed for each combative sport?

MMA:  Amateur MMA fighters can have up to two corners. Amateur MMA title fights and professional MMA fighters can have up to three corners.

Boxing:  Three corners are allowed for non-title fights. Four corners are allowed for all title fights.

Muay Thai:

  • Cage:  Amateur Muay Thai fighters can have up to two corners. Amateur Muay Thai title fights and professional fighters can have up to three corners.

  • Ring:  Three corners are allowed for non-title fights. Four corners are allowed for all title fights.

Kickboxing: 

  • Cage:  Amateur kickboxing fighters can have up to two corners. Amateur kickboxing title fights and professional fighters can have up to three corners.

  • Ring: Three corners are allowed for non-title fights. Four corners are allowed for all title fights.

Do cutmen need to be licensed as a corner?

Yes, cutmen must be an approved and licensed trainer/corner (second). Cutmen do NOT count towards the total number of corners. An individual designated as a cutman beyond your max number of corners can NOT act as a coach at any time.

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General

Where can I find the rules for boxing, MMA, kickboxing and Muay Thai?

View rule sets for each combative sport here.

Which disciplines are included in the legal definition of martial arts in Minnesota?

"Martial art" means a variety of weaponless disciplines of combat or self-defense that utilize physical skill and coordination and are practiced as combat sports. The disciplines include, but are not limited to, Wing Chun, Tae kwon do, savate, karate, sanshou, Jiu Jitsu, judo, ninjitsu, kung fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, grappling, tai chi, and other weaponless martial arts disciplines. View more information in Minn. Statutes 341.21.

How do I become an approved sanctioning organization?

Submit a Sanctioning Body Approval Request Form for review. Direct questions about sanctioning organization approval to Matt Schowalter at matt.schowalter@state.mn.us or 651-666-9415.

What sanctioning organizations are currently approved by OCS?

OCS-approved sanctioning organizations

How long does an approval last for an approved sanctioning organization?

OCS approvals for sanctioning organizations do not expire. However, OCS may withdraw an approval at any time if the organization is not following statutory requirements.

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Licensure

How do I apply for my combatant license (pro or amateur)?

Apply online at https://ims.dli.mn.gov/ims/. View instructions about how to apply for your license.

How do I apply for my trainer/corner (second) license?

Apply online at https://ims.dli.mn.gov/ims/. View instructions about how to apply for your license.

How do I renew any license? 

Renew your license online at https://ims.dli.mn.gov/ims/. View instructions about how to renew your license. 

What are the minimum requirements to be licensed as a promoter?

Pre-licensure requirements for promoters are included in the license application. 

What happens after I submit my application?

OCS will review your application and any supporting documents for approval. Should any additional information be needed, you will be contacted by email.

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Officials

What are the requirements for becoming licensed as an official?

Before OCS issues a license to a referee, judge or timekeeper, the applicant must submit proof of qualifications that may include certified training from the Association of Boxing Commissions, licensure with other regulatory bodies, professional references or a log of bouts worked.

How do I apply to become an official? (judge, referee, ring-side physician, timekeeper) 

View more information about how to apply to become an official.

If I don't have any experience as an official, how do I get started?

The first step to become an official is to attend and pass an Association of Boxing Commissions-certified or similar training approved by OCS. Once you have passed a training, OCS does offer a provisional program for an official to gain experience. Contact Matt Schowalter at matt.schowalter@state.mn.us for additional information.

Once I become licensed as a referee or judge, am I required to attend continuing education courses?

All licensed referees and judges must attend a training session organized by the Association of Boxing Commissions or a similar training approved by OCS, at least once every two years. The training course must pertain to your license type (referee or judge) and sport with which you are officiating (MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing). Forward all continuing education certificates to Matt Schowalter via email at matt.schowalter@state.mn.us.

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