Competition Program Requirements

Any U.S. Figure Skating member in good standing may compete in U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned competitions. Competitions may cover all four disciplines of U.S. Figure Skating: singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronized skating.

The program requirements for all of the event types offered by U.S. Figure Skating can be found below. To learn more about participating in U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned competitions, click here. 

For resources and requirements for hosting sanctioned U.S. Figure Skating competitions, to go Members Only - Clubs - Hosting an Event. 

Need to miss school for a U.S. Figure Skating competition or event? Fill out the School Absence Letter Request Form

Standard Nonqualifying Announcement Template

Latest Updates & Clarifications:

2/11/25 - The 2025-26 singles short program and free skate requirements were posted. These charts go into effect Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

9/23/24 - The 2024-25 charts for adult singles, adult pairs and adult partnered free dance events were posted.

Program Requirements Charts:

Singles

Short Program (Juvenile - Senior): 
2025-26 [March 4, 2025-March 2, 2026]

Well-Balanced Free Skate (Pre-Preliminary - Senior):
2025-26 [March 4, 2025-March 2, 2026]

Adult Well-Balanced Free Skate: 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]

Excel Free Skate 2025: 
2024-25 [January 1, 2025-December 31, 2025]

Pairs

Short Program (Novice-Senior): 
2024-25 [May 21, 2024-May 19, 2025]

Free Skate (Juvenile-Senior): 
2024-25 [May 21, 2024-May 19, 2025]

Adult Pairs: 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]

Partnered Ice Dance

Pattern Dance (All Levels): 
2024-25 [May 21, 2024-May 19, 2025]
Skater's Choice Pattern Dance Timing Chart for Pre-Juvenile through Senior

Rhythm Dance (Junior-Senior): 
2024-25 [May 21, 2024-May 19, 2025]

Free Dance (Pre-Juv.-Senior): 
2024-25 [May 21, 2024-May 19, 2025]

Adult Partnered Pattern Dance: 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]
Skater's Choice Pattern Dance Timing Chart for Adult Events

Adult Partnered Free Dance: 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]

Solo Dance

For the 2025 Solo Dance Series Handbook with competition information and requirements, CLICK HERE. 

Non-Series Pattern Dances

Adult Solo Dance:
Pattern Dance [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]
Skater's Choice Pattern Dance  Timing Chart for Adult Events
Adult Solo Dance Handbook, 2024-25 

Synchronized Skating

Short Program (Junior, Senior Elite 12 and Senior): 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]
2025-26 [July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026]

Free Skate (Preliminary-Senior): 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]
2025-26 [July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026]

Aspire Synchro (Aspire 1-4): 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]

Special Olympics Unified SYS Well-Balanced Program Requirements: 
2024-25 [July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025]

Showcase

2024-25 Showcase Guidelines
 

Athlete Development (Beginning Jan. 1, 2025)

Compulsory Moves (Levels 1 - 8)

2025

Jump Challenge (Levels 1 - 9)

2025

Spin Challenge (Levels 1 - 6)

2025

Compete USA Events

Programs & Free Skates

Program (Snowplow Sam - Basic 6): 
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Excel Free Skate: 
2024-25 [July 1 - Dec 31]

Aspire 1-4:
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Well-Balanced Free Skate (Pre-Preliminary - Preliminary): 
2024-25 [Jan. 1 - June 30]

Adult 1-6 Free Skate:
2024-25 [July. 1 - June 30]

Adult Free Skate (Beginner-Bronze):
2024-25 [Jan. 1 - June 30]

 

Elements & Compulsories

Elements (Snowplow Sam–Basic 6): 
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Team Compulsory:
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Adult 1-6 Compulsory:
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

 

Athlete Development Events

Jump Challenge:
2025 [Jan 1 - June 30, 2025]

Spin Challenge:
2025 [Jan 1 - June 30, 2025]

Compulsory Challenge:
2025 [Jan 1 - June 30, 2025]

 

Specialty Events

Showcase and Interpretive:
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Solo Pattern Dance:
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Theatre On Ice:
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

 

Special Olympics

Adaptive:
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Special Olympics (Badges 1-12):
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Special Olympics Singles Free Skate (1-4):
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Special Olympics (Pairs 1-2 and Ice Dance 1-2):
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

 

Hockey

Hockey Elements and Skills (Hockey 1-4):
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

 

Team Events

Aspire Synchro (Aspire 1-4):
2024-25 [July 1 - June 30]

Adaptive Skating

Adaptive:
2024-25 [July 1-June 30]

Special Olympics (Badges 1-12):
2024-25 [July 1-June 30]

Special Olympics Singles Free Skate (1-4):
2024-25 [July 1-June 30]

Special Olympics (Pairs 1-2 and Ice Dance 1-2):
2024-25 [July 1-June 30]

For additional details about adaptive skating, CLICK HERE. 

High School Skating

High School Team Maneuvers:

2024-25 (October 1 - September 30)

High School Artistic Free Skate:

2024-25 (October 1 - September 30)

Looking for other rule information? Access the Skating Rules and Resources main page here.