Figure skating in the U.S. can be either competitive or recreational, and those learning to skate can choose either route. While competitive skaters are required to participate in the U.S. testing structure to eventually compete in qualifying competitions, recreational skaters can also opt to take tests in order to continually challenge themselves and their abilities.
The official tests of U.S. Figure Skating may be taken by all figure skaters who are members of a member club or collegiate club, individual members who are currently registered with U.S. Figure Skating and are otherwise qualified under these rules, as well as by members of a member association of the ISU.
Test sessions can only be held under the auspices and control of a member club. Fees are involved and vary by club. Clubs do not need a sanction to hold a test session.
Sessions are organized and run under procedures outlined in the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook. Any person who is interested in participating in the U.S. Figure Skating testing structure should review the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook, and the information on this page to find the types of tests offered, the elements on each test, how tests are marked, which judges are required, age requirements for different test categories and conduct of coaches and candidates at test sessions.
The order in which tests are taken is important. According to Rule 4002 in the rulebook: "A candidate shall not be eligible to take a higher-level test until all of the preceding tests in the same category have been passed or completed except as otherwise specified in these rules."
As a way for U.S. Figure Skating to congratulate skaters for passing tests, we will generate a personalized school recognition letter that can be forwarded to teacher(s) and/or principal, school leadership, etc. The letter will be personally addressed to them, will include the skater's name, the test passed and information about what this test means to the athlete's skating career and resumé.
- All About U.S. Figure Skating Tests - update coming soon
- U.S. Figure Skating Competitive/Test Structure
- School Recognition Request Form
Required Element Charts for Tests
- Singles (PDF) (valid through 3/3/25)
- Singles (PDF) (valid beginning 3/4/25)
- Pairs (PDF)
- Partnered Free Dance (PDF)
- Solo Free Dance (PDF)
Forms
- Test Forms
- Test Verification Form
- Permission Form to Test Away from Home Club
- Skating Accommodation Memorandum (S.A.M.) Q&A and Form
- Request for Test Credit for Foreign Tests
- Complete as soon as possible as the process can take up to 30 days
Virtual Testing
In addition to the handbook below, specific requirements and qualifications for virtual testing can be found in the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook, Rules 4104. Judges who are available to judge virtual tests are identified in the Officials Directory. Under the 'Level' dropdown menu, select Virtual. Be sure to check each judge's appointment level to determine which tests they can judge.
- Virtual Testing Handbook
- Includes information for skaters, test chairs and test judges.
- Guidelines for Trial Judging Virtual Tests
- Virtual Test Placard (PowerPoint, with sample)
- Virtual Test Placard (writeable PDF)
- If not using the printed placard, all information must be written fairly large in size, must be legible, and in dark marker i.e. Sharpie, so as to be viewed easily by the judges. Also, please ensure the form is close enough (zoom in) to the camera to be read.
Information for Skaters
- Skater Checklist for Skating Skills Tests
- MIF and FS Test Grandfathering Chart
- Figures Cross Over Chart — Standard to Adult
- Calendar for Retrying Tests
- School Recognition Request Form
- Virtual Test Placard (PowerPoint, with sample)
- Virtual Test Placard (writeable PDF)
- If not using the printed placard, all information must be written fairly large in size, must be legible, and in dark marker i.e. Sharpie, so as to be viewed easily by the judges. Also, please ensure the form is close enough (zoom in) to the camera to be read.
Information for Judges and Test Chairs
- Guide for Test Chairs (PDF, 7/14/22)
- User Guide to Club Testing (PDF, 11/16/22)
- Fillable Test Forms, Compliance Verification and Resources (PDF, 11/16/22)
- Test Chair Guide to Key U.S. Figure Skating Deadlines in 2022 (PDF, 5/13/22)
- List of Mentors for Test Chairs (PDF, 2/17/22)
- Adult Test Quick Reference Information
- Test Judging - The Basics (PDF, 11/2/23)
Test Chair Round Table Discussions
- Round Table 7 - Virtual Tests / New Placard - Oct 2024 (slide deck)
- Round Table 7 - Virtual Test / New Placard - Oct 2024 (Q&A)
- Round Table 6 - General Information - Aug. 16, 2023
- Round Table 3 - Virtual Testing - Aug. 15, 2022
- Ice Dance Tests
- Tips and Tricks for Test Chairs
- Judge Selection and Scheduling
IJS Protocol for Test Credit
In accordance with Rules 4100 and 4200-4202, athletes may receive credit for certain tests by meeting minimum scores at a competition held under the International Judge System (IJS). The athlete must “skate-up” to the event for which they are seeking test credit, in addition to having already passed any prerequisites prior to the competition event.
Events eligible:
Singles Free Skate*: Juvenile**, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, Senior, Adult Silver, Adult Gold, Adult Intermediate, Adult Novice, Adult Junior and Adult Senior
Pairs Free Skate: Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior and Senior
Partnered Free Dance: Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior and Senior
Solo Free Dance: Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior and Senior (beginning July 1, 2022)
*Both Excel and well-balanced free skate IJS protocols are eligible for test credit.
**If an open juvenile free skate event is conducted under the IJS, the scores may be used for test credit for IJS protocol for a juvenile free skate test, assuming all score requirements are met.
The minimum passing scores will be determined by the Tests Committee and the respective Singles, Pairs and Dance Development and Technical Committees, and published via Technical Notifications.
Skaters are required to submit the necessary forms to the test chair of their club and follow the procedures put forth by the club for submission and payment. The test chair will enter the test in the skater’s official record through the Members Only site. Individual members can submit their results through the Members Only site by going to the main menu, selecting "Account" and then selecting "Submit IJS Test Credit". Please see the checklist below for more information on what forms are required.
IJS Test Credit Protocol Checklists and Sample Forms
Pattern Dance Music Downloads
- Preliminary Pattern Dances
- Pre-Bronze Pattern Dances
- Bronze Pattern Dances
- Pre-Silver Pattern Dances
- Silver Pattern Dances
- Pre-Gold Pattern Dances
- Gold Pattern Dances
- International Pattern Dances - Cha Cha Congelado, Rhumba, Silver Samba, Tango Romantica, Yankee Polka
- International Pattern Dances - Austrian Waltz, Golden Waltz and Ravensburger Waltz
- International Pattern Dances - Finnstep and Midnight Blues
Note: U.S. Figure Skating does not currently have music for the Tea-Time Foxtrot.
Gold Medalist Jacket - Sleeve Embroidery
Click below to access and download the testing embroidery files.
- Sleeve Embroidery Files
-
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdultFreeDance.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdultPairs.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdultPatternDance.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdultSingles.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdultSkatingSkills.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdultSoloDance.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdaptiveSingles.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_AdaptiveSkatingSkills.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_FreeDance.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_Pairs.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_PatternDance.DST
2023_GoldMedalJacket_Sleeve_Singles.DST
We hope you are excited about the recent launch of our new Gold Medalist Jacket, a symbol of your incredible achievements and dedication.
Thank you for your patience as we work diligently to provide you with the ability to customize your jackets at the time of purchase from U.S. Figure Skating’s online store, The Edge. In the interim, we are pleased to offer you the option of adding customizations yourself using your local vendor.
Note: Due to a vendor change, we no longer offer the previous Gold Medalist Jacket and design. If you have the former jacket and want to add embroidery to your sleeve, please use GOLD 1225 thread color and Arial font.
Customization Options
Above, you will find a Dropbox file containing all the necessary files that can be used to embroider the right sleeve of your Gold Medalist Jacket.
Please note that the customized files come in two formats:
- DST Files: These are specially created files for embroidery and are intended for use with embroidery software. Unless you have embroidery software on your computer, these files will not open. However, they can be saved and forwarded to your local embroiderer and are ready to go.
- EPS Files: The EPS files provided are placeholders until we can create additional DST files for all the past test names that have been requested (e.g., "Moves in the Field"). While the EPS files can still be provided to your local embroiderer, they will need to convert the EPS files to DST for embroidery.
Thread Color Information
The gold thread used for the Gold Medalist Jackets is "978-4202 MADEIRA POLYESTER CR METALLIC #40." You can purchase this thread here.
It's important to note that this solution is temporary and serves as a placeholder until we can offer customization at the time of purchase. We genuinely appreciate your patience and understanding as we work towards providing you with a seamless customization experience. We understand that these changes have occurred rapidly, and we are committed to enhancing your experience with us.
Font
The font used on the newly launched Gold Medalist Jacket is Gotham Narrow. This font can be used to embroider the athletes name on the front of the jacket, or we recommend using a script font of your preference.
Font Sizes
- Skating Skills, Singles, Free Dance, Pattern Dance, Solo Dance & Pairs: Gotham Narrow Bold Italic, 33.65pt
- All Adult tests, Solo Pattern Dance, Moves in the Field, Moves, Free Skate, Dance, Solo Free Dance: Gotham Narrow Bold Italic, 23.52pt
- All Adaptive tests: Gotham Condensed Bold Italic, 33pt
All of the test names are 0.3382” in height, however, the length depends on which tests are being embroidered.
As a reminder, mailing your jacket to us for additional embroidery is no longer an option. However, the provided embroidery files will remain accessible, allowing you to make additions locally.

Contacts
For more information on referees, please contact one of the U.S. Figure Skating representatives listed below.