A contestant must be born female.

A contestant must be a U.S. citizen.

A contestant must have never been married.

A contestant must be a resident of city/town/state for a least six months preceding the date of the local pageant in which she wishes to compete OR must have fulfilled eligibility requirements by educational status or employment.

A contestant must have never performed any act or engaged in any activity or employment that is or could reasonably be characterized as dishonest, immoral, or indecent.

A contestant must be between the ages of 17 and 24 years of age on September 30th of the year in which she intends to compete in the National Finals of the Miss America Pageant.

A contestant must be of good moral character and never have been pregnant and is not now pregnant nor the adoptive parent of any child and has not been involved at any time in any act of moral turpitude.

A contestant must never have been convicted of any crime and does not have any criminal charges pending.

A contestant must be at least a high school senior to participate.

A contestant must be in good health and can participate fully and without limitation in any program activities and must not use or consume any illegal controlled dangerous substances or abuse the use of alcohol or other dangerous substances.

A contestant must participate in actual competition in a local pageant within the year immediately preceding her competition in the state pageant and be certified the winner of that local.