NFLPA Agent Certification Exam Review | 2026/2027
National Football League Players Association — 75 Practice Questions with Verified Answers and Evidence-Based
Rationales
Section 1: CBA Structure & Salary Cap Mechanics
1. Under the 2020 NFL CBA (extended through 2030), the salary cap is primarily defined as what percentage of
league revenue?
A. 47% of total league B. 48.5% of total league C. 51% of total league D. 55% of total league
revenue revenue revenue revenue
Correct Answer: B. B. 48.5% of total league revenue
Rationale: The 2020 CBA sets the salary cap at approximately 48.5% of total league revenue (defined as All Revenue).
This is a key change from prior CBAs where the player share was calculated differently. The cap ensures a defined
portion of league revenue flows to player compensation.
2. A player signs a 5-year contract with a $15 million signing bonus. How much of the bonus counts against the
salary cap each year?
A. $1.5 million per year B. $3 million per year C. $5 million per year D. $15 million in year one
only
Correct Answer: B. B. $3 million per year
Rationale: Signing bonuses are prorated equally over the length of the contract for salary cap purposes. $15 million
divided by 5 years equals $3 million per year. This proration mechanism is a fundamental cap accounting rule in
Article 13 of the CBA.
3. If a player with 2 remaining years on his contract is released after June 1, what happens to the remaining
prorated signing bonus for cap purposes?
A. All remaining bonus B. The current year takes C. The bonus is forgiven D. The new team assumes
accelerates onto the current one year of proration; the and no cap charge applies the remaining cap charge
year following year takes the rest
Correct Answer: B. B. The current year takes one year of proration; the following year takes the rest
Rationale: Under the post-June 1 designation, the remaining prorated bonus splits: the current league year absorbs
one year of proration, and the next league year absorbs the balance. This provides teams with cap relief by spreading
dead money across two years rather than taking the full hit at once.
4. Which of the following was a significant change introduced by the 2020 CBA?
A. Reduction to a 15-game B. Addition of a 17th C. Elimination of the salary D. Removal of all player
regular season regular-season game per cap entirely discipline authority from
team the Commissioner
Correct Answer: B. B. Addition of a 17th regular-season game per team
,Rationale: The 2020 CBA expanded the regular season from 16 to 17 games per team and added a seventh playoff
team per conference. These changes took effect starting with the 2021 season and represented one of the most visible
structural changes negotiated in the agreement.
5. A team has a salary cap of $220 million. If the team's total player compensation (cap charges) is $195 million,
what is the status of the team's cap position?
A. The team is over the cap B. The team has $25 C. The team has $25 D. The team is exactly at
and must cut players million in available cap million in available cap the cap floor
immediately space but must still meet the space and has no floor
cap floor obligation
Correct Answer: B. B. The team has $25 million in available cap space but must still meet the cap floor
Rationale: With $220 million cap and $195 million in charges, the team has $25 million in cap room. However, the
CBA also imposes a minimum team cash spending floor (approximately 89% of the cap over a 4-year rolling period), so
the team must eventually spend more to comply with the floor requirement.
Section 2: Free Agency Classifications & Roster Rules
6. A player with 4 accrued seasons whose contract has expired is classified as which type of free agent?
A. Exclusive Rights Free B. Restricted Free Agent C. Unrestricted Free Agent D. Franchise Player
Agent (ERFA) (RFA) (UFA)
Correct Answer: C. C. Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA)
Rationale: A player with 4 or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent
(UFA). UFAs can sign with any team without the original team receiving draft pick compensation or having the right to
match. This is defined in Article 10 of the CBA.
7. An RFA receives a second-round tender from his original team. Another team signs him to an offer sheet that
the original team declines to match. What compensation does the original team receive?
A. A first-round draft pick B. A second-round draft C. A first-round and third- D. No compensation
pick round draft pick
Correct Answer: B. B. A second-round draft pick
Rationale: A second-round tender means the original team receives a second-round draft pick as compensation if they
choose not to match the offer sheet. The tender level corresponds directly to the round of compensation, as specified in
the CBA's RFA tender framework.
8. How is an accrued season defined under the NFL CBA?
A. A player must appear in B. A player must be on the C. A player must be on the D. A player must participate
at least 8 games on the active or inactive list for at 53-man roster for all 17 in at least 50% of offensive
active roster least 6 regular-season games or defensive snaps
games
Correct Answer: B. B. A player must be on the active or inactive list for at least 6 regular-season games
Rationale: An accrued season is earned when a player is on a club's active or inactive list for at least 6 regular-season
games during a season. This definition is critical for determining free agency classification and various benefit
eligibility thresholds under the CBA.
9. What distinguishes an Exclusive Franchise Tag from a Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag?
, A. The Non-Exclusive tag B. The Exclusive tag C. The Non-Exclusive tag D. There is no difference;
pays a higher salary prohibits the player from prohibits the player from they are interchangeable
negotiating with other negotiating with other
teams teams
Correct Answer: B. B. The Exclusive tag prohibits the player from negotiating with other teams
Rationale: The Exclusive Franchise Tag prevents the player from negotiating with any other team, and the salary is
determined by the average of the top 5 salaries at his position (or 120% of prior year salary, whichever is greater). The
Non-Exclusive tag allows the player to negotiate, but the original team can match and receives two first-round picks if
they do not.
10. Under current NFL rules, what is the maximum size of a team's practice squad?
A. 8 players B. 10 players C. 16 players D. 12 players
Correct Answer: C. C. 16 players
Rationale: The 2020 CBA expanded practice squad size from 10 to up to 16 players. Up to 6 of those players can have
no limit on accrued seasons, providing teams greater flexibility to develop and retain veteran talent outside the 53-man
roster.
Section 3: Minimum Salaries, Benefits & Discipline Policy
11. Under the Veteran Salary Benefit (VSB), how many players per team can have their cap charge reduced to the
league minimum salary while receiving the balance of their negotiated salary as a separate benefit?
A. One player per team B. Two players per team C. Three players per team D. Unlimited players
Correct Answer: B. B. Two players per team
Rationale: The Veteran Salary Benefit allows each team to designate up to 2 veteran players whose salary counts only
at the applicable minimum salary level against the cap. The difference between the player's actual salary and the
minimum is paid as a separate benefit not charged to the team's cap, incentivizing veteran retention.
12. A player tests positive for a performance-enhancing drug (PED) for the first time under the NFL's PED policy.
What is the standard suspension?
A. 2 games B. 4 games C. 6 games D. Indefinite suspension
Correct Answer: C. C. 6 games
Rationale: Under the NFL-NFLPA Performance-Enhancing Substances policy, a first-offense PED violation results in
a mandatory 6-game suspension without pay. A second offense triggers an indefinite suspension with a minimum of 10
games. This represents a significant increase from prior policy under the 2020 CBA.
13. How long does a retired NFL player continue to receive health insurance coverage after retirement under the
2020 CBA?
A. 2 years after retirement B. 5 years after retirement C. Until age 55 D. Lifetime coverage
Correct Answer: B. B. 5 years after retirement
Rationale: The 2020 CBA extended post-retirement health insurance coverage to 5 years after retirement (up from 2
years under the prior agreement). This is one of the most significant player benefit improvements in the agreement and
addresses long-standing concerns about post-career healthcare.
14. What is the NFL's 401(k) matching contribution for players?
National Football League Players Association — 75 Practice Questions with Verified Answers and Evidence-Based
Rationales
Section 1: CBA Structure & Salary Cap Mechanics
1. Under the 2020 NFL CBA (extended through 2030), the salary cap is primarily defined as what percentage of
league revenue?
A. 47% of total league B. 48.5% of total league C. 51% of total league D. 55% of total league
revenue revenue revenue revenue
Correct Answer: B. B. 48.5% of total league revenue
Rationale: The 2020 CBA sets the salary cap at approximately 48.5% of total league revenue (defined as All Revenue).
This is a key change from prior CBAs where the player share was calculated differently. The cap ensures a defined
portion of league revenue flows to player compensation.
2. A player signs a 5-year contract with a $15 million signing bonus. How much of the bonus counts against the
salary cap each year?
A. $1.5 million per year B. $3 million per year C. $5 million per year D. $15 million in year one
only
Correct Answer: B. B. $3 million per year
Rationale: Signing bonuses are prorated equally over the length of the contract for salary cap purposes. $15 million
divided by 5 years equals $3 million per year. This proration mechanism is a fundamental cap accounting rule in
Article 13 of the CBA.
3. If a player with 2 remaining years on his contract is released after June 1, what happens to the remaining
prorated signing bonus for cap purposes?
A. All remaining bonus B. The current year takes C. The bonus is forgiven D. The new team assumes
accelerates onto the current one year of proration; the and no cap charge applies the remaining cap charge
year following year takes the rest
Correct Answer: B. B. The current year takes one year of proration; the following year takes the rest
Rationale: Under the post-June 1 designation, the remaining prorated bonus splits: the current league year absorbs
one year of proration, and the next league year absorbs the balance. This provides teams with cap relief by spreading
dead money across two years rather than taking the full hit at once.
4. Which of the following was a significant change introduced by the 2020 CBA?
A. Reduction to a 15-game B. Addition of a 17th C. Elimination of the salary D. Removal of all player
regular season regular-season game per cap entirely discipline authority from
team the Commissioner
Correct Answer: B. B. Addition of a 17th regular-season game per team
,Rationale: The 2020 CBA expanded the regular season from 16 to 17 games per team and added a seventh playoff
team per conference. These changes took effect starting with the 2021 season and represented one of the most visible
structural changes negotiated in the agreement.
5. A team has a salary cap of $220 million. If the team's total player compensation (cap charges) is $195 million,
what is the status of the team's cap position?
A. The team is over the cap B. The team has $25 C. The team has $25 D. The team is exactly at
and must cut players million in available cap million in available cap the cap floor
immediately space but must still meet the space and has no floor
cap floor obligation
Correct Answer: B. B. The team has $25 million in available cap space but must still meet the cap floor
Rationale: With $220 million cap and $195 million in charges, the team has $25 million in cap room. However, the
CBA also imposes a minimum team cash spending floor (approximately 89% of the cap over a 4-year rolling period), so
the team must eventually spend more to comply with the floor requirement.
Section 2: Free Agency Classifications & Roster Rules
6. A player with 4 accrued seasons whose contract has expired is classified as which type of free agent?
A. Exclusive Rights Free B. Restricted Free Agent C. Unrestricted Free Agent D. Franchise Player
Agent (ERFA) (RFA) (UFA)
Correct Answer: C. C. Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA)
Rationale: A player with 4 or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent
(UFA). UFAs can sign with any team without the original team receiving draft pick compensation or having the right to
match. This is defined in Article 10 of the CBA.
7. An RFA receives a second-round tender from his original team. Another team signs him to an offer sheet that
the original team declines to match. What compensation does the original team receive?
A. A first-round draft pick B. A second-round draft C. A first-round and third- D. No compensation
pick round draft pick
Correct Answer: B. B. A second-round draft pick
Rationale: A second-round tender means the original team receives a second-round draft pick as compensation if they
choose not to match the offer sheet. The tender level corresponds directly to the round of compensation, as specified in
the CBA's RFA tender framework.
8. How is an accrued season defined under the NFL CBA?
A. A player must appear in B. A player must be on the C. A player must be on the D. A player must participate
at least 8 games on the active or inactive list for at 53-man roster for all 17 in at least 50% of offensive
active roster least 6 regular-season games or defensive snaps
games
Correct Answer: B. B. A player must be on the active or inactive list for at least 6 regular-season games
Rationale: An accrued season is earned when a player is on a club's active or inactive list for at least 6 regular-season
games during a season. This definition is critical for determining free agency classification and various benefit
eligibility thresholds under the CBA.
9. What distinguishes an Exclusive Franchise Tag from a Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag?
, A. The Non-Exclusive tag B. The Exclusive tag C. The Non-Exclusive tag D. There is no difference;
pays a higher salary prohibits the player from prohibits the player from they are interchangeable
negotiating with other negotiating with other
teams teams
Correct Answer: B. B. The Exclusive tag prohibits the player from negotiating with other teams
Rationale: The Exclusive Franchise Tag prevents the player from negotiating with any other team, and the salary is
determined by the average of the top 5 salaries at his position (or 120% of prior year salary, whichever is greater). The
Non-Exclusive tag allows the player to negotiate, but the original team can match and receives two first-round picks if
they do not.
10. Under current NFL rules, what is the maximum size of a team's practice squad?
A. 8 players B. 10 players C. 16 players D. 12 players
Correct Answer: C. C. 16 players
Rationale: The 2020 CBA expanded practice squad size from 10 to up to 16 players. Up to 6 of those players can have
no limit on accrued seasons, providing teams greater flexibility to develop and retain veteran talent outside the 53-man
roster.
Section 3: Minimum Salaries, Benefits & Discipline Policy
11. Under the Veteran Salary Benefit (VSB), how many players per team can have their cap charge reduced to the
league minimum salary while receiving the balance of their negotiated salary as a separate benefit?
A. One player per team B. Two players per team C. Three players per team D. Unlimited players
Correct Answer: B. B. Two players per team
Rationale: The Veteran Salary Benefit allows each team to designate up to 2 veteran players whose salary counts only
at the applicable minimum salary level against the cap. The difference between the player's actual salary and the
minimum is paid as a separate benefit not charged to the team's cap, incentivizing veteran retention.
12. A player tests positive for a performance-enhancing drug (PED) for the first time under the NFL's PED policy.
What is the standard suspension?
A. 2 games B. 4 games C. 6 games D. Indefinite suspension
Correct Answer: C. C. 6 games
Rationale: Under the NFL-NFLPA Performance-Enhancing Substances policy, a first-offense PED violation results in
a mandatory 6-game suspension without pay. A second offense triggers an indefinite suspension with a minimum of 10
games. This represents a significant increase from prior policy under the 2020 CBA.
13. How long does a retired NFL player continue to receive health insurance coverage after retirement under the
2020 CBA?
A. 2 years after retirement B. 5 years after retirement C. Until age 55 D. Lifetime coverage
Correct Answer: B. B. 5 years after retirement
Rationale: The 2020 CBA extended post-retirement health insurance coverage to 5 years after retirement (up from 2
years under the prior agreement). This is one of the most significant player benefit improvements in the agreement and
addresses long-standing concerns about post-career healthcare.
14. What is the NFL's 401(k) matching contribution for players?
