The National Circuit Finals were previously held every March in Pocatello, Idaho; however, for 2011 and beyond the event has been moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Qualification for the event comes via winning the season title or winning the average title at the circuit finals rodeo in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, or bull riding. A competitor must compete in one of the PRCA's 12 regional circuits (Montana, Mountain States, Wilderness, California, Turquoise, Texas, Prairie, Badlands, Great Lakes, Southeast, First Frontier) and compete at one of the circuit finals in order to participate in the DCNFR.
Competitors go through two longer performances to compete for eight spots for the semi-finals. The semis and the finals are in sudden death format. The top four times and scores will advance to the one go-round final. Whoever has the top score or time in the finals is crowned the DCNFR champion for the year. In 2007, the PRCA Board of Directors announced that the winners of the DCNFR will advance for the wild-card spots for the Ariat Playoffs Series.