Research has had a longstanding interest in how emotions affect sport performance (Hanin, 2007). Emotion has typically been conceptualized at the state level; however, it should also be considered at a trait level in order to better understand its influence in sport (Lazarus, 2000). One conceptualization of emotion at the trait level is trait emotional intelligence (TEI). TEI is often described as an individual’s capacity to recognize and utilize emotional states to change intentions and behavior (Schutte et al., 1998). Research has reported that this stable disposition reflects emotional competence which explains performance variation in sport, for example, regulate emotion to optimal states for athletic performance, facilitate the use of psychological skills, pitching performance in baseball, and more adaptive coping strategies (Lane et al., 2010; Lane, Thelwell, & Devonport, 2009; Lane, Thelwell, Lowther, & Devonport, 2009; Zizzi, Deaner & Hirschorn, 2003). Furthermore, several debates exist in the literature surrounding TEI theory and measurement (Laborde & Allen, 2016; Petrides et al., 2016). In order to substantiate findings researchers must utilise reliable and valid measures (Asparouhov & Muthen, 2009; Marsh, Liem, Martin, Morin, & Nagengast, 2011). As a result, validation of existing measurement should be the first stage of the research process (Marsh et al., 2011). Despite the importance given to TEI in sport, research assessing the variance between elite, amateur, and non-athletes is scarce and inconsistent (Laborde, Dosseville, & Allen, 2016). This may be due to misinterpretation of items of scales with weak theoretical underpinnings (Gignac, 2009; Meyer & Fletcher, 2007; Meyer & Zizzi, 2007). Therefore, this article aims to fill this gap by assessing the psychometrics and invariance of a current TEI scale across sport expertise levels.