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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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One-time prep transfer rule without restriction now state law

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton/ Under a new state law signed into effect on Tuesday, high school student-athletes across Tennessee can now transfer one time during their varsity career without restriction.
Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton/ Under a new state law signed into effect on Tuesday, high school student-athletes across Tennessee can now transfer one time during their varsity career without restriction. Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton/ Under a new state law signed into effect on Tuesday, high school student-athletes across Tennessee can now transfer one time during their varsity career without restriction.

The one-time transfer rule for high school athletes is now the law of the land. At least across Tennessee prep sports.

Less than one year after the TSSAA approved a rules change to allow high school athletes to transfer schools provided they met a specific set of guidelines, Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday signed into law House Bill 25/Senate Bill 16, which states high school student-athletes can now transfer to any school they wish without being required to meet those previous TSSAA parameters.

The bill officially goes into effect on July 1.

“It’s a sigh of relief that we can put this issue to bed,” said Republican state Senator Adam Lowe, who championed the bill. “For three years, families and student-athletes had to pause while we figured it out, but now, from this point forward, they have solid guidance and more control to make the decisions that affect their family.

“I want parents and athletes to understand the value of being a part of a team. Every student can benefit from coaching and teamwork and we have done everything we can for the student-athletes to find where they fit best.”