Each body sets its own rules for who may race. This guide lists what WRL, AER, PCA Club Racing, the Porsche Sprint Trophy and IMSA publish. Every section names the page the rule comes from. Rules were read on 2026-10-31.
A license, a rating and an approval are separate things. A license says a body accepts you as a competitor. A rating places a driver in a category, and the driver ratings guide explains how. An approval is an organizer’s decision for one series or one event. An organizer decides each of the three. Holding one does not give you the others.
World Racing League (WRL)
WRL’s licensing page lists three routes. The page says complete novices are not accepted.
- A conventional license. WRL accepts licenses from bodies such as SCCA, NASA, IMSA, SRO, BMWCCA, PCA and PBOC if the license is in good standing. Bring it to registration. A driver with an expired license starts the first weekend on provisional status. Full WRL licensure follows a first weekend completed without incident.
- Endurance racing experience. The route needs a racing resume that lists at least 8 hours of wheel-to-wheel racing and a series contact. Champ Car, Lemons and local enduro series are listed examples. The driver starts on probation, takes part in Friday’s test and qualifying, and is monitored for the weekend.
- HPDE experience. The route needs significant Advanced or Solo HPDE experience, or HPDE instructor status. The driver completes the chief driving instructor approval form. The page says WRL may deny any application, and that most applicants from reputable HPDE groups with good references are eligible. Probation terms match route 2.
The licensing page says a license is tied to the QR code on your helmet. The rules page adds that a gear self-check form must be filed each year to receive the helmet sticker.
American Endurance Racing (AER)
AER’s rulebook (version 2025.1, dated 2025-10-01) does not list accepted outside licenses. Rule 1.1.5 leaves it to AER to decide who is eligible to race.
Rule 1.1.4 sets a provisional period for a new driver. AER treats you as provisional, and gives extra scrutiny, until you meet all of these.
- At least twelve months racing with AER.
- At least three events.
- At least six stints.
- At least 300 laps.
- No responsibility for incidents involving contact.
Rule 1.2 offers a hard-card license at the driver’s option and expense. A driver cannot get it until the provisional period ends. Rule 1.6.1 sets the minimum age at 16, and under 18 needs written consent from a parent or guardian.
The registration FAQ describes the approval step. A new account starts as Crew. AER checks the credentials of anyone who wants to drive and may hold a phone interview. The account changes to Driver after approval.
PCA Club Racing
PCA’s rulebook sets the minimum driving age at 18 and requires PCA membership in good standing. It lists two license routes in the licensing procedures.
- Provisional application, for experienced racers. It needs a current full competition license from a body such as NASA, SCCA, IMSA or BMWCCA, or an equivalent body. It also needs a list of at least six completed races in the past 24 months. The rulebook says time trial licenses are not accepted.
- Rookie application, for drivers with no current full license and no race experience. It needs twelve or more days of track driving training and experience in the past 24 months. At least six must be PCA or equivalent driver’s education days. It also needs a Certification of Experience and Ability from a PCA Region chief driving instructor.
Both routes start a driver in provisional status. Rookie or provisional status ends after four incident-free races at a minimum of two events within two years. The rulebook also allows two-driver cars, and the second driver must run in a higher run group.
Porsche Sprint Trophy
Porsche’s 2027 entry announcement for Sprint Trophy POC, published on 2026-09-10, says: “Participation in the events will also count toward an FIA competition license.”
The announcement gives no other license rule. Read it with the series entry rules before you plan around the credit.
IMSA
IMSA publishes a Driver Application Process FAQ for each season. Read the edition for your season before you apply. The 2026 and 2027 editions are linked below.
- Racing resume. The FAQ lists a racing resume among the items due for series approval.
- ImPACT test. The FAQ lists an ImPACT test among the items due. IMSA asks for a baseline test taken within the last two IMSA seasons.
- FIA rule. The FAQ lists the FIA rating and license among the items due where they apply. An FIA Grade C or above applies only to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. An FIA driver rating applies to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
- Deadlines. The FAQ lists what each driver deadline requires. A driver who misses a deadline can owe an expediting fee.
- Approval. An application is not complete until IMSA holds every required document. A driver is not a member until IMSA sends written approval.
SRO
Read the SRO guides and the SRO rulebook for its license rules.
What to do next
Pick the body whose series you want to race. Open its page from the list above. Match your own record to the published route, and write to the organizer if the page does not cover your case.
Sources checked October 31, 2026. Each rule shows the season it applies to.