Review all terms of eligibility on the Scripps National Spelling Bee website (see Resources). One of the rules is that you must not have passed beyond eighth grade on or before Feb. 1 in the year of the competition. You cannot have won a previous National Spelling Bee.
Confirm your school is enrolled in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program within the stated time frame of the competition year. Call the school or ask the principal in person. Your school bee's coordinators receive information from the local sponsor regarding participation, including local dates and deadlines.
Master the words on the study sheets provided to you by your school via the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Study and master the words on the Spell It! website (see Resources). Learn the etymology of the words. Have a parent quiz you, if possible. However, you must not circumvent or bypass normal school activity to study for the Bee, according to the rules of eligibility.
Compete in and win your school's spelling bee. Move on to the local level of competition, as dictated by your local sponsor's program. Champions of each sponsor's final spelling bee move forward to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Submit a completed Champion Bio Profile, a Certification of Eligibility Form, a signed Appearance Consent and Release Form and a hard copy photo to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. At least 24 hours before the competition begins, notify the Bee if any of the statements made on the Certification of Eligibility Form that are no longer true or need updating. Your sponsor should provide the Bee with access to the necessary forms.