NRL clubs have been handed more power with former officials now able to join the ARL Commission quicker and requiring less votes to remove incumbents.

The ARLC on Friday rubber stamped the reform which will allow officials to transfer from club land or state bodies to the ARLC after just one year out of the game.

The changes have been more than two years in the making after being pushed by former chairman Peter Beattie.

It will allow more football and club experience to sit on the commission, slashing the waiting time from three years.

It means former North Queensland chairman and businessman Laurence Lancini could fill the one remaining empty commission seat within weeks.

The prospect of joining the ARLC could also be more enticing to the likes of Nick Politis and Nick Pappas, given they would only need to sit out for one year before joining.

The change was one of three crucial alterations to the constitution.

Removing a director will also now become easier for the clubs and states, with only a majority of clubs and one state required to wield the change.

Previously, 15 of the 16 clubs had to be on board as well as both the NSW and Queensland Rugby League.

That change brings the commission into line with the Corporations Act.

Commissioners will also now only be able to sit for six years instead of an unlimited tenure.

The rule will not be brought in retrospectively, with all commissioners to count 2021 as their first year.

As it stands, Wayne Pearce is the only foundation commissioner from 2012 while Tony McGrath has also been there for more than six years.

The changes are the first made to the commission’s constitution since its historic introduction in 2012.

“These are common sense governance changes,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said.

“Reducing the time a person has to be out of rugby league before being eligible to join the Commission will ensure the Nominations Committee can consider a wider range of people associated with rugby league.

“It is the first time since the creation of the Commission that members have agreed to changes to the constitution.

“It is example of how united the game is to grow and improve the product for our fans and participants.”