In order to become an "IFBB Pro" a bodybuilder must first earn an IFBB Pro Card. A bodybuilder looking to do this must first win a regional contest weight class. When a bodybuilder wins or places highly they earn an invite to compete at their country's National Championships contest for that year. The winners of each weight class at the National Championships will then go head to head in a separate contest to see who is the overall Champion for the year. Depending on the federation, the overall Champion will be offered a pro card. Some federations offer Pro Cards to winners of individual weight class champions. This can mean that each year more than one bodybuilder may earn a Pro Card. A bodybuilder can also earn a Pro Card at the IFBB World Bodybuilding Championships. Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman won his IFBB Pro Card at the World Bodybuilding Championships.
