The 40 teams were divided in eight groups of 5, playing in a double round-robin format. The two best ranked in each group at the end of 10 rounds qualified for the second stage, which was played in home-and-away system. Winners advanced to the third stage. These quarterfinal winners were promoted to the Série C 2013. According to the playoff structure, one team from each "mini-tournament" was promoted.[1]
All Tocantins-based teams withdrew. Since Tocantins was already allocated a berth in Group 5 the berth passed on to Goias. No Goias-based team wanted the berth so it passed on to the Federal District.
First stage
Key to colours in group tables
Group winners, runners-up advance to the Round of 16