USPA intends for its license requirements to encourage skydivers to develop knowledge and skills as they gain experience. All Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI; aka the World Air Sports Federation)-member countries recognize USPA licenses, which serve as official documentation that the holder has attained the stated experience and skills. Licenses are valuable instructional tools, serving both as goals and as guidelines for acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for a reasonable level of safety and enjoyment.
USPA License Authority
The National Aeronautic Association and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale authorize the United States Parachute Association to issue internationally recognized Parachutist Certificates of Proficiency. USPA issues these as A, B, C, and D licenses, ranked according to level of accomplishment, based on demonstrated skill, knowledge, and experience.
Validity of Licenses and Ratings
USPA licenses are valid only while the holder is a current regular USPA member or a current temporary USPA member; there is no other renewal requirement.
USPA licenses are valid in all FAI-member countries and, while valid, entitle the holder to participate in open skydiving events organized in FAI-member countries. USPA issues licenses only to USPA members who meet the conditions set forth for that license.
Applicants must properly record on the USPA A-License Progression Card or application for a higher USPA license any license qualifications made during student-training jumps and military-training jumps, and the appropriate USPA official must verify them.
USPA defines “total freefall time” to include both freefall and droguefall time. The required number of jumps for licenses and ratings can include static-line and IAD jumps.
USPA may refuse, suspend, or revoke a license only when the USPA Board of Directors authorizes it or when acting in compliance with existing USPA Board directives.
USPA ratings are valid only while the holder is a current regular USPA member. USPA may refuse, suspend, or revoke a rating only when the USPA Board of Directors authorizes it or when acting in compliance with existing USPA Board directives.
Logging Jumps for Licenses and Ratings
Applicants must make skydives offered as evidence of qualification in accordance with USPA requirements in effect at the time of the jump. This evidence must be legibly recorded in chronological order in an appropriate log that contains the following information:
- jump number
- date
- location
- exit altitude
- freefall length (time)
- type of jump (formation skydiving, freeflying, canopy formation, etc.)
- landing distance from the target
- equipment used
- verifying signature to include a legible USPA membership number, skydiving license number, or pilot certificate number
A witness of the jump—who may be another licensed skydiver, pilot, or USPA Instructor, Examiner, S&TA, or board member—must sign off on jumps submitted to meet the number-of-jumps requirements for USPA licenses and ratings.
A USPA Coach, Instructor, Examiner, S&TA, or board member must sign off on jumps to meet skill requirements. A USPA Examiner must sign off on special requirements and additional qualifying items such as first-jump courses, air evaluations, ground evaluations, and teaching requirements needed for examiner ratings.
A USPA Instructor, Examiner, S&TA, or board member must sign off on all jumps needed to meet requirements for licenses or ratings, except for jumps to meet the number-of-jumps requirements.
Applicants who use digital devices instead of traditional paper logbooks to record jumps must ensure that the digital device contains the required information, including a signature verification from a licensed skydiver, the pilot, or a USPA National or FAI Judge who witnessed the skydive. Each instructor, S&TA, examiner, or board member who verifies license requirements for a USPA license must review and verify the jumps logged in a digital device. Skydivers pursuing licenses and ratings must clearly log their first 500 jumps so officials can easily verify them.
Logging Freefall Time
The following table provides the estimated freefall time from a given altitude. Many factors affect the actual terminal velocity in freefall, including the total weight of the jumper (including equipment), the surface-area-to-weight ratio, jumpsuit, altitude, and skydiving discipline. You should log every jump made, including the amount of freefall time experienced in actual time.
Freefall-Time Table
|
Length of Freefall (feet)
|
Time at 120 mph (seconds)
|
Time at 160 mph (seconds)
|
Time at 50 mph (seconds)
|
|
500
|
2.84
|
2.13
|
6.82
|
|
1,000
|
5.68
|
4.26
|
13.64
|
|
1,500
|
8.52
|
6.40
|
20.45
|
|
2,000
|
11.36
|
8.53
|
27.27
|
|
2,500
|
14.20
|
10.67
|
34.09
|
|
3,000
|
17.05
|
12.80
|
40.91
|
|
3,500
|
19.89
|
14.94
|
47.73
|
|
4,000
|
22.73
|
17.07
|
54.55
|
|
4,500
|
25.57
|
19.21
|
61.36
|
|
5,000
|
28.41
|
21.34
|
68.18
|
|
5,500
|
31.25
|
23.48
|
75.00
|
|
6,000
|
34.09
|
25.61
|
81.82
|
|
6,500
|
36.93
|
27.75
|
88.64
|
|
7,000
|
39.77
|
29.88
|
95.45
|
|
7,500
|
42.61
|
32.02
|
102.27
|
|
8,000
|
45.45
|
34.15
|
109.09
|
|
8,500
|
48.30
|
36.29
|
115.91
|
|
9,000
|
51.14
|
38.42
|
122.73
|
|
9,500
|
53.98
|
40.56
|
129.55
|
|
10,000
|
56.82
|
42.69
|
136.36
|
|
10,500
|
59.66
|
44.83
|
143.18
|
|
11,000
|
62.50
|
46.96
|
150.00
|
|
11,500
|
65.34
|
49.10
|
156.82
|
|
12,000
|
68.18
|
51.23
|
163.64
|
|
12,500
|
71.02
|
53.37
|
170.45
|
|
13,000
|
73.86
|
55.50
|
177.27
|
|
13,500
|
76.70
|
57.64
|
184.09
|
|
14,000
|
79.55
|
59.77
|
190.91
|
|
14,500
|
82.39
|
61.91
|
197.73
|
|
15,000
|
85.23
|
64.04
|
204.55
|
|
15,500
|
88.07
|
66.18
|
211.36
|
License Exams
The A-License Written, Oral, and Practical Exams
The examining USPA Instructor will supervise a 40-question written USPA A-License Exam (available online). The applicant must score at least 75% on this written exam. See the next section for more details on written exams for all licenses.
The examining USPA Instructor will also conduct an oral quiz of at least 20 questions taken from the USPA Integrated Student Program syllabus, with emphasis on the following:
- cloud-clearance and visibility requirements
- equipment operation and maintenance
- wing loading and its effects
- closing loop
- touch fastener (aka Velcro) and tuck flaps
- packing and authorization to pack
- canopy flight
- traffic patterns and collision avoidance
- braked turns and obstacle avoidance
- low-turn avoidance and recovery
- downwind landing procedures
- obstacle landing emergency and recovery procedures
- aircraft procedures
- during jump run and exit to observe balance limits
- distance between groups to maintain separation
- aircraft-emergency procedures
- group breakoff recommendations
- parachute-emergency procedures
- deployment malfunctions
- cutaway decide-and-act altitude
- two-canopies-deployed scenarios
- accountability for FAR compliance
The applicant must score 100% on this oral exam. If the student fails to answer all questions in the oral quiz correctly, the examining instructor will conduct or arrange appropriate review training until passing.
The examining instructor will also conduct a practical exam by making a skydive (also referred to as the “A-license check dive”) with the applicant to verify practical capabilities in the following areas:
- choosing the spot and selecting and guiding the pilot to the correct exit and opening point in routine conditions
- pre-jump equipment checks for self and others
- planning an effective group breakoff
- right 360-degree turn, left 360-degree turn, and a back loop (back loop to be completed within 60 degrees of the original heading)
- docking from 20 feet (evaluator flies into position)
- breakoff altitude recognition and tracking for a minimum of 100 feet
- signal before deployment and overall awareness during and after deployment
- planning and flying a logical landing pattern that promotes a smooth traffic flow and avoids other jumpers
- packing and preparing equipment for the next jump
The applicant must score satisfactorily on this practical exam. If the student fails to demonstrate practical capabilities in any area, the examining instructor will conduct or arrange appropriate review training and re-jumps until the student passes.
A-, B-, C-, and D-License Written Exams
An appropriate examining official must supervise license exams. Applicants may not use references or other assistance during the exam and must pass with a score of 75% or more. The official will record any passing score on the license application and in the applicant's logbook.
When giving written exams on paper, the examining official gives the license applicant a blank answer sheet and the questions to the exam. After the test, the examining official collects the materials and grades the exam. An applicant who does not pass will be eligible to retake this exam after seven days.
For written exams taken using USPA’s online license-testing program, applicants who do not pass may immediately retest using the same method for a total of three attempts per day.
To qualify for a higher license, the applicant must possess a USPA license, meet all qualifications for lower licenses, and have passed all lower-class license exams.
License Applications
Students can apply for their A License using a completed A-License Progression Card either online or paper. If they use the online progression card, they can purchase and receive their A License instantly. A properly completed paper progression card serves as a valid A License for up to 60 days from the date on which it was signed by the certifying instructor. However, the student should send the paper application and the associated fee to USPA headquarters within 60 days.
Applicants for all license levels must submit the appropriate fee and the completed application to USPA through any of the following methods:
- Have requirements verified online and purchase the license online.
- Scan and email a copy of the card to membership@uspa.org and call USPA Headquarters with credit card payment.
- Copy both sides of the completed license application and mail it with payment.
- Fax both sides of the completed license application to USPA and call USPA Headquarters with credit card payment.
Once USPA issues a license, it will update the applicant’s membership card to include the new license number, which Parachutist magazine will publish if the member opts into sharing through their privacy settings in their uspa.org profile. USPA will mail a new physical membership card if the member opts into that mailing preference.
For paper license applications for B, C, and D licenses, the verifying official signing the license application should check that each of these items has been completed:
- applicant's personal information
- experience verification (number of jumps and freefall time, if applicable)
- skill verification
The official verifies either that the jump number, date, or score for each requirement is correct and can be found in the applicant's logbook; or, if applicable, the applicant included their appropriate license number with the application. For experience verification, the certifying official should verify that the number of jumps and total freefall time are correct and meet the listed requirements for the license sought. For skill verification, a current USPA Instructor, S&TA, Examiner, or board member must initial the jump numbers, scores, or date(s) of completion.
You may not sign for your own license application or initial any of the verification blocks of your own license application. An appropriate official (as listed in this chapter) must sign paper applications for all licenses before the application is forwarded to USPA Headquarters. Instructors may verify A, B, and C licenses. USPA S&TAs, Examiners, and board members may verify any license application.
Every USPA B-license application must also include a completed copy of the B-License Canopy Card signed by a current USPA S&TA, Examiner, or board member. The S&TA must ensure that the person who conducts the training is qualified. In some situations, the best candidate to teach this material may not hold any USPA ratings but may have extensive knowledge about canopy control and landings. The signature of the appropriate official on the proficiency card verifies that the candidate has satisfactorily completed the training.
USPA will charge a separate license fee for each license number issued.
License Privileges and Requirements
A License
Persons holding a USPA A license may jump without supervision, pack their own main parachute, engage in formation skydives, perform water jumps, and must have—
- completed 25 freefall jumps
- completed all requirements listed on the USPA A-License Progression Card
- passed the USPA-developed written, oral, and practical USPA A-License Exams conducted by a current USPA Instructor, S&TA, Examiner, Judge or board member
B License
Persons holding a USPA B license may exercise all privileges of an A-license holder and perform night jumps, and are eligible for the USPA Coach Rating after making 100 jumps, and must have—
- met all current requirements for or hold a USPA A license
- completed 50 jumps including:
- accumulated at least 30 minutes of controlled freefall time
- landed within 33 feet (10 meters) of target center on 10 jumps
- successful completion of the planned formation(s) on 10 formation skydives, or 10 formation freefly skydives, at least five of which, in either discipline, must involve at least three participants
- documentation of live water-landing training with full equipment in accordance with the procedures in the Skydiver's Information Manual
- complete all the requirements listed on the B-License Canopy Piloting Proficiency Card available at uspa.org/downloads
- passed the written USPA B-License Exam conducted by a current USPA Instructor, S&TA, Examiner, Judge or board member
C License
Persons holding a USPA C license may exercise all privileges of a B-license holder, are eligible for USPA Instructor ratings except USPA Tandem Instructor, may participate in certain demonstration jumps, may ride as passenger during USPA Tandem Instructor training and rating-renewal jumps, and must have—
- met all current requirements for or hold a USPA B license
- completed 200 jumps, including accumulating at least 60 minutes of controlled freefall time
- landed within 7 feet (2 meters) of target center on 25 jumps
- successful completed 50 formation skydives, or 50 formation freefly skydives, at least 10 of which, in either discipline, must involve at least four participants
- passed the written USPA C-License Exam conducted by a current USPA Instructor, S&TA, Examiner, Judge or board member
D License
Persons holding a USPA D license may exercise all privileges of a C-license holder, are eligible for all USPA ratings, and must have—
- met all current requirements for or hold a USPA C License
- completed 500 jumps, including accumulating at least three hours of controlled freefall time
- completed at least two of the following skills requirements (a requirement may be repeated):
- night jump (following the SIM recommendations)
- landed within seven feet (2 meters) of the target center on 100 jumps
- participated in a canopy formation of a 3-stack or larger, completing a full rotation
- completed an intentional water jump
- successful completion of 100 formation skydives, at least 25 of which must involve at least eight participants
- passed the written USPA D-License Exam conducted by a current USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge Examiner or board member
The USPA D-License represents the highest level of licensing within the USPA system, requiring advanced skills and a comprehensive understanding of parachuting safety and procedures. The FAA uses the term 'Master Parachute License' in its regulations to describe a level of parachuting proficiency required for certain privileges. In alignment with FAA terminology, a holder of a valid USPA D-License satisfies the requirements of the term 'Master Parachute License.'
Restricted USPA Licenses
In limited circumstances, USPA may issue USPA Restricted Licenses to applicants who have disabilities that make them unable to meet all of the specific license requirements. A person may be qualified for a restricted license if the applicant has met all the requirements for the license desired except for those listed in a waiver they submit to the Safety & Training Committee, containing:
- type of license requested
- specific license requirement(s) that cannot be met
- circumstances which prevent compliance with license requirements
- license application completed, except for the restricted activities
The committee will consider each waiver individually on its own merit. If the board of directors approves the waiver, USPA will issue the license with the word "restricted."