Sickle Cell Testing of College Athletes
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires all Division I, II, and III school athletes to be tested for sickle cell trait through a blood test.
Individuals with sickle cell trait have one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. If you have sickle cell trait, you typically won’t have any symptoms. Rarely, people with sickle cell trait develop serious health problems after experiencing extreme physical stress, such as loss of fluids (severe dehydration).
Athletes with sickle cell trait may need to take special precautions to lower their risk of training-related health problems and training-related death. You can learn more about college athletes and sickle cell trait by visiting the NCAA website.
About NCAA Sickle Cell Trait Testing Requirements
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires student-athletes to provide their school with documented results from a previous sickle cell solubility test. While newborn screening in Rhode Island includes testing for hemoglobinopathies (including sickle cell), the methods used are different from the sickle cell solubility test specified by the NCAA. Rhode Island has never used sickle cell solubility testing and newborn screening results do not meet NCAA requirements.
As of April 15, 2026, the Rhode Island Newborn Screening Program will no longer provide newborn screening sickle cell reports for RI-born student athletes for the purpose of meeting NCAA testing requirements. The Newborn Screening Program will continue to fulfill requests for newborn screening reports from healthcare providers for appropriate medical and public health purposes.
How to Meet NCAA Sickle Cell Trait Testing Requirements
If you were born in Rhode Island and need to provide your college or university with documented results from a previous sickle cell solubility test, you can get tested for sickle cell trait.
The easiest way to meet sickle cell trait testing requirements is to get a new blood test. Anyone can get sickle cell trait testing at a private laboratory. Your primary care provide may order sickle cell testing or refer you to a private lab. You can learn about blood test costs and laboratories where you can get tested by searching for “sickle cell solubility test.” Talk to your college health center or athletic program about a reduced cost test for student-athletes.
You may also independently order a commercially available sickle cell solubility test directly through third-party laboratory testing services.