Adult Skating

ADULT SKATING

Skating is for life! The U.S. Figure Skating Adult Skating Program offers adults of all ages and abilities the chance to learn, grow, and compete in a welcoming community — from local events to international competitions.

NEW TO FIGURE SKATING OR WANT TO MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS?

Some adults are new to skating and have never taken a lesson, while others have competed on the national level as children and want to return to the ice for fun, fitness, competition or to pursue yet-unrealized dreams and goals. Whether you are an "adult who became a skater" or a "skater who became an adult," the U.S. Figure Skating Adult Skating Program has a place for everyone to learn, enjoy and participate through a variety of skating programs, proficiency tests and competitions.

1. Learn to Skate as an Adult

The Learn to Skate USA adult curriculum is designed to help you build skills, stay active, and feel confident on the ice. Whether you’re stepping on the ice for the first time or returning after time away, the program focuses on proper technique while improving balance, coordination, and overall fitness.

Structured across six progressive levels, the curriculum allows adult skaters to advance at their own pace while staying challenged and motivated. You’ll develop essential skills—from forward and backward skating to turns and stops—before moving on to more advanced elements.

Whether you're looking to skate recreationally, connect with others, compete, or work toward the U.S. Figure Skating adult test structure, Learn to Skate USA offers a supportive path forward. From your first lesson to your first competition, you’ll have the resources and guidance to grow every step of the way. Visit the Learn to Skate USA adult page to learn more and find a program near you.

2. Compete USA

Adult skaters from adult 1 through adult bronze free skate who are current members of Learn to Skate USA or are full members of U.S. Figure Skating may enter Compete USA competitions at their level. This is a great opportunity for adults to perform the skating elements they have learned. Many adults enter these events to meet a specific goal or satisfy their desire to compete. Visit the Compete USA page for more information.

3. Continue to Skate as an Adult

Reconnect with the ice and join a community that celebrates every stage of your skating journey. If you’ve competed before, you can still skate in adult events — see the grandfathering chart for eligibility.

UNSURE OF YOUR PRIOR TEST HISTORY?

Recent test history is located in the U.S. Figure Skating database, accessible from your Members Only account (select "Account," "Member Profile," "Skate Test History"). If you have been away from the sport for an extended period of time and your test history is no longer in the current database, you can request your prior test history be researched in the U.S. Figure Skating archives. To initiate this process, download the Test Verification Request Form.

Email questions to memberservices@usfigureskating.org. Welcome home!

TESTING

Tests are the backbone of U.S. Figure Skating and passing proficiency tests allow skaters to advance to the next level. Adults can choose to test in the adult testing structure or the standard track; either path allows skaters to participate in adult competitions and events.

More Information About U.S. Figure Skating Tests

Detailed information on test requirements and prerequisites is available in the current U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook in the “Test Rules” section. The current U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook is available here.

COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities designed for advanced adult skaters & those returning to the sport

For those who are returning to the sport after testing as a standard-track skater, your standard tests qualify you to compete in adult competitive events according to this chart.
There are many all-adult nonqualifying competitions throughout the country. Adult skating competitions divide competitors by age and test level, and most offer free skate, showcase, ice dance, pairs, compulsory moves and jump/spin events.
Some nonqualifying competitions also offer adult events as part of their regular competition. For a running list of adult-friendly nonqualifying competitions, visit the Adult Skating Committee's Facebook Note.
To qualify for the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, athletes enter the adult sectional championships in their home section. Each sectional competition and the U.S. Adult Championships includes a corresponding nonqualifying competition at the discretion of the Local Organizing Committee.
The U.S. Adult Championships is the highlight of the adult competitive season and takes place every April. Visit the 2026 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships page for more information.
The International Skating Union provides adult skaters the chance to compete with skaters from around the world while representing the United States. An adult international competition takes place every year in Oberstdorf, Germany. Live your dream of skating internationally for the USA! Visit the ISU Adult Skating page.
Synchronized skating is a fun, team opportunity for all types of adult skaters. There are a wide array of opportunities for adults interested in synchronized skating. Visit the Synchronized Skating home page for more information.
Theatre On Ice is a form of competitive figure skating that combines the grace of figure skating with the excitement of theater and dance. It is a fun opportunity for all types of adult skaters. Visit the Theatre On Ice home page for more information.
Showcase fuses artistic creativity with figure skating for single skaters, duets, small ensembles of three to seven and production numbers of eight to 30. National Showcase offers the categories of light entertainment, dramatic entertainment and interpretive (improvisation) events to singles skaters. Adult events are a part of the annual National Showcase competition, and the gold medalists in adult events earn the honor of advancing to the Parade of Adult Champions. Visit the National Showcase home page for more information.
The Solo Dance Competition Series provides an avenue for ice dancers at the standard levels to compete at and qualify for the National Solo Dance Final. Adults may participate in the series based on their standard-track ice dance tests (adult dance tests do not fulfill the eligibility requirements). Visit the Solo Dance Competition Series page for more information.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT SKATERS

The best way to be a part of U.S. Figure Skating is to become a member of your local U.S. Figure Skating club. With more than 600 member clubs nationwide, you should be able to find one near you that meets your needs. Clubs serve many purposes to their members, providing a social network for adult members and offering weekly or monthly practice sessions, private instruction, test sessions, ice shows and exhibitions, nonqualifying and qualifying competitions, seminars, and dance weekends. Most skating clubs are non-profit associations run by volunteers. If possible, take the time to volunteer; through involvement, you will learn more about skating and at the same time create a training "home" for yourself. If there is not a club in your area, you can always join U.S. Figure Skating as an individual member.

Attending camps and clinics for adult figure skaters is a great way to improve your on-ice skills while meeting other adult skaters and having fun together both on and off the ice. Several adult skating camps are held throughout the year.
The Adult Skating Committee hosts an annual informational meeting in conjunction with the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships and educational seminars are often held as well. Webinars on a variety of topics are available for on-demand viewing on Members Only, including two webinars on IJS for U.S. Adult Athletes (select "General Info," "Webinars," “Skating Programs").
The Learn to Skate USA program includes a complete curriculum and test structure for those with disabilities under the umbrella of "therapeutic recreational skating." Additionally, moves in the field, free skate and pattern dance tests may be taken by skaters in a therapeutic program on a pass/fail basis. Visit the Special Olympics/Therapeutic Skating page for more information.

STAY CONNECTED

The adult skating community is a close-knit group that welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities. Keep up with adult skating news and information on the adult skating committee’s social media.

U.S. Figure Skating