The 2025 Disciplinary Policy Update: What Changed
A plain-language orientation to the new disciplinary policy ACBL introduced in August 2025, with pointers to the official FAQ, member message, and the underlying policy documents.
In August 2025, ACBL introduced an updated disciplinary policy framework. This article orients you to what's new and where to read the official details; it is a navigation aid, not the policy itself.
What's new#
The update introduced a standardized set of disciplinary statuses and clarified what each status means for a member's ability to participate — including what happens when a member is not in good standing and when limited club play remains possible.
Official documents#
- New Policy — Message to ACBL Members — the announcement explaining the change: PDF
- New Policy FAQ — answers to common member questions: PDF
- Disciplinary Status Standards — PDF
- Member Not in Good Standing Restrictions — PDF
- Eligibility for Limited Club Play — PDF
All of these are collected on the ACBL Ethics & Discipline page. The disciplinary process itself is governed by the Code of Disciplinary Regulations.
If you are a unit official applying this policy, see the dedicated guidance for unit officials.