[jee7s]

Adding to the above points...

There's also a practice at certain events where you get the white part of the inspection sticker after you pass the first half page or so of the inspection check list. This is analogous to "safety inspection" as described in this thread. It's the gross check on obvious hazards. Then, after the full checklist is complete, you sign the sheet, get the colored dot, and the white part gets initialed. That means you've passed initial inspection, makes you eligible to compete in qualification and playoff matches, and allows you to enter the filler line for practice matches.

It's not documented anywhere, but that's been my experience with it. Some events do this, some do not. Your mileage and experience may vary.