Instructional Ratings

Future Tandem Instructor Requirements
In June 2007, USPA met with each of the U.S. tandem manufacturers to discuss a variety of issues surrounding tandem skydiving. There was a great deal of discussion regarding the tandem instructor rating system for both the manufacturers and USPA. The group determined that both USPA and the manufacturers should receive initial rating paperwork for each tandem instructor candidate, but only USPA needs to keep track of rating renewals. Therefore, all USPA members, regardless of their location or whether the drop zone location is a non-group member, who are rated through a manufacturer but never earned the USPA Tandem Instructor rating, will need to obtain the USPA rating in the near future.

The Basic Safety Requirements for the 2009 SIM, due out in September 2008, will include a change to Section 2-1 Basic Safety Requirements to reflect the new requirements. This effectively gives USPA members who are only manufacturer rated approximately one year to make the necessary arrangements with a USPA Tandem Course Director and earn the USPA Tandem Instructor rating. This document includes instructions on how to proceed based on your current rating situation. Click here for the complete tandem proficiency card. A list of USPA Tandem Course Directors can be found here.

Syllabus
Complete information regarding USPA's instructional ratings can be found in the Instructional Rating Manual (IRM) available through the USPA Store. The IRM includes course outlines, evaluation forms, exams, and proficiency cards for each rating.

Rating overview
An overview of Instructional Ratings, including renewal requirements, may be found in the "IRM Essentials," available by clicking here.

Scheduled courses
Click here to find a course near you in the Instructional Rating Course Calendar.

Course materials
Instructional Rating candidates must have a copy of the Instructional Rating Manual and a recent Skydiver's Information Manual. Click here to purchase these items.

Registering a course
All USPA instructional rating courses must be registered in advance with USPA. To register a course, contact USPA Headquarters or call (540) 604-9740, ext. 315.

Find a course director
Click here for a current listing of USPA instructional rating course directors.

Download proficiency cards
Click here to download proficiency cards for instructional ratings.

Renewing a PRO or Instructional Rating
USPA PRO and instructional rating holders must renew their ratings each year with their membership. Renewal requirements need signature verification from designated USPA officials, as outlined in the Skydiver's Information Manual and on the renewal form. Click here to download the USPA PRO and instructional rating form.

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