This policy sets the student eligibility and team size requirements for each competition program, and the rules teams and students follow.
Student Eligibility
A student's age for eligibility is their age on June 1 of the year the season ends. For example, for the 2026–2027 season, eligibility is based on the student's age on June 1, 2027.
| Competition Program (and Level) | Student Eligibility | Team Size |
| VEX IQ (Elementary School) | 12 years old or younger | 2+ |
| VEX IQ (Middle School) | 15 years old or younger | 2+ |
| VEX V5 (Middle School) | 15 years old or younger | 1+ |
| VEX V5 (High School) |
19 years old or younger. JROTC-affiliated teams are in the United States only. |
1+ |
| VEX AI | Post-secondary school or younger. | 1+ |
| VEX U | Graduated from secondary school. In post-secondary school. |
2+ |
Team Rules
- A team competes in one level at a time. A team may compete in multiple programs if they meet all other eligibility requirements.
- A team can be organized as a school, a community group, a youth organization, or a group of neighborhood students.
- VEX U is the only exception: a VEX U team represents one post-secondary institution, but may include students from more than one.
Student Rules
- Every student on a team must meet the eligibility shown for that team's program and level.
- A student may compete on only one team in each program and level, but may compete in more than one program, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for each.
- A student may change teams during the season if the change is reported to their Program Support Team and is not made for strategic purposes. Students who do not know their Program Support Team can reach them through events.vex.com/support.
- A student who delayed their schooling by a year or more may compete in a program even if they are older than that program's age limit based on circumstances. See the Accommodation Policy (coming soon) to learn more.