diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 2d623c2606..c064d94c29 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
-- [ ] CHANGELOG.md updated
-- [ ] [InfluxQL Spec](https://github.com/influxdata/influxdb/blob/master/influxql/README.md) updated or not appropriate
+###### Required for all non-trivial PRs
 - [ ] Rebased/mergable
 - [ ] Tests pass
+- [ ] CHANGELOG.md updated
 - [ ] Sign [CLA](https://influxdata.com/community/cla/) (if not already signed)
+
+###### Required only if applicable
+_You can erase any checkboxes below this note if they are not applicable to your Pull Request._
+- [ ] [InfluxQL Spec](https://github.com/influxdata/influxdb/blob/master/influxql/README.md) updated