The USPA PRO Rating qualifies skydivers for skydiving exhibitions into challenging landing areas. To earn the PRO rating, skydivers with a USPA D license must demonstrate landing skills with the parachute they plan to use for shows and receive training on how to use flags and pyrotechnic devices.

The PRO Rating is recognized by the FAA and serves as a certificate of proficiency to allow the rating holder to fly and land closer to crowds than jumpers who have not demonstrated these qualifications. PRO rating privileges are listed in the Skydiver's Information Manual, Chapter 6-1. The standard PRO rating limits skydivers to wing-loadings of 1.5:1 and below. Those qualifying for an additional HP (High Performance) endorsement on their PRO rating allows wing-loadings greater than 1.5:1.

More details on the PRO rating are available in the Skydiver's Information Manual, Chapter 6-2.

New licenses cost $43.00 and never need to be renewed. They remain active as long as your USPA membership is current.

Judge ratings do not need renewed and remain active with your current USPA membership and annual activity submission.

Coach, Instructor, and Examiner ratings need to be renewed annually when your membership is due. You pay a flat renewal fee no matter how many instructional ratings you are renewing.

See current prices here.

Of all the various progression paths available within our sport, judging is one that slips past many people’s attention. Yet, judging is an opportunity to be involved in a part of the sport that is reaching higher and setting new standards. More information about the USPA Judging Program can be found in Chapter 2 of the Skydivers Competition Manual.

The road to judging begins when a USPA member completes a Judge Training Course. These courses are listed on our Judge Rating Course page. Additionally, some judge examiners may offer one-on-one courses, or other creative methods to train members in the art of judging.

If you are interested in training as a judge, but don’t see a course planned, please e-mail USPA’s Competition Department at competition@uspa.org. There is a constantly updated list of interested members and we pass this information on to judge examiners regularly.

Complete information regarding USPA's instructional ratings can be found in the Instructional Rating Manual (IRM) available in pdf download and in hard copy through the USPA Store. The IRM includes course outlines for every instructional rating. Additionally, evaluation forms, exams, and proficiency cards for each rating are available on the Downloads page.

USPA issues instructional ratings to USPA members who have gained the necessary experience and successfully completed a certification course for three different levels of instruction:

• USPA Coach Rating
• USPA Instructor Rating
• USPA Examiner Rating

The USPA Coach Rating may be earned by jumpers with at least 100 jumps and a USPA B license who have completed the Coach Certification Course. Coaches can teach the general sections of the first-jump course and train and supervise students for group skydiving skills. Coaches work under the supervision of instructors.

The USPA Instructor Rating may be earned in four different methods:

• Accelerated Freefall Instructor (AFF-I)
• Instructor-Assisted Deployment Instructor (IAD-I)
• Static-Line Instructor (SL-I)
• Tandem Instructor (TAN-I)
• Tandem Trainer (TAN-T)

These are the four methods of first-jump instruction available to anyone interested in skydiving. Each instructor rating requires a higher level of experience than the coach rating, as well as successful completion of a certification course for each different method. Instructors may teach the entire method-specific first-jump course, as well as train and supervise students beginning with the first jump through to the completion of the USPA A license.

The USPA Examiner Rating may be earned in five different methods:

• Coach Examiner (CE)
• Accelerated Freefall Examiner (AFF-E)
• Instructor-Assisted Deployment Examiner (IAD-E)
• Static-Line Examiner (SL-E)
• Tandem Examiner (TAN-E)

The examiner rating is the highest level of instructional ratings issued by USPA. Examiners are very experienced instructors who train new coaches and instructors. They have completed additional training and apprenticeship that is necessary to become an examiner.   

USPA Instructors may administer the A-, B- and C-license exams. Safety and Training Advisors and Examiners may administer any USPA License exam.

License exams are available online and must be set up by the correct official. This closed-book, supervised test consists of randomized multiple choice questions taken from a pool. If applicants score less than the required 75% passing score, they can retake the online exam up to three times in the same day.

Paper exams are also an option and must also be closed-book and supervised. If an instructor or S&TA needs a copy of paper exams, they may contact USPA at safety@uspa.org. Applicants scoring less than the required 75% passing score must wait 7 days to retake the exam on paper.

For more details on license exam procedures, visit SIM Section 3-2.

The specific items on the A-license Progression Card must also be initialed by a USPA Instructor wherever an “I” is noted beside the initial line, and for all of the items listed as “Advancement Criteria” for each category. USPA Coach may initial the exit, freefall, and canopy lines in Categories E through H of the progression card as indicated by the "C/I" beside the initial line. Make sure the proper person initials and signs the A-license cards so your new A-license holder receives their A license in a timely manner.

The B- through D-license applications must be initialed and signed by a USPA Instructor or higher for the B and C license application, and an Examiner, S&TA, or USPA Board member for the D license application. Make sure each item listed in the skill tables is verified and initialed, and that the license application is completely filled out and signed by the appropriate person before submitting it to USPA Headquarters for processing.

USPA issues four skydiving licenses, A through D, indicating progressive levels of skill and accomplishment. USPA licenses remain current with membership and are recognized by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. A skydiver is considered a student until issued a license.

For the current license requirements and privileges see the Section 3-1 of the Skydiver's Information Manual.

There are no additional requirements for renewing USPA Licenses, as they remain current with your USPA membership. You can apply for a new license on your profile page, or download the application.

USPA does not issue licenses of the world governing body of air sports, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Instead, the National Aeronautic Association, in Alexandria, Virginia, issues the special FAI sporting licenses.  For international record attempts and for all members of the U.S. Parachute Team, the FAI Sporting License is required.