Climbing is a community. Climbers of all abilities are at the heart; but we could not pursue our passion without the tireless efforts of coaches, donors, judges, gym staffs, parents, routesetters, volunteers and others. Check out all the ways you can get involved with USA Climbing.
One of our core values is to encourage responsible use, and the protection and preservation of the natural environment – which is why a portion of USA Climbing membership revenue goes to support The Access Fund. Today, 1 in 5 outdoor climbing areas in the United States are threatened—whether it’s private land lost to development, public land managers over-regulating climbing, or climber impacts degrading the environment, the list of threats is long and constantly evolving. The Access Fund is on a mission to keep climbing areas open and conserve the climbing environment.
A competitor membership is for competitive youth and adult climbers that wish to compete at regional, divisional, and/or national level events. A competitor membership can also be used at qualifying (local) events and is required for results to count toward regional qualification. In order to obtain this membership, a competitor member that is 18 years or older must complete annual SafeSport Training.
An introductory membership is for competitive climbers that wish to compete at qualifying (local) events and National Cup Series competitions. Introductory members qualifying event scores will not qualify for regional, divisional, and/or national level events. In order for a climber’s score to count towards regional qualification, introductory members must upgrade their membership prior to the qualifying competition, in addition to other eligibility requirements, through their USA Climbing account to either a competitor membership (youth/adult) or a collegiate membership (collegiate). In order to obtain this membership, an introductory member that is 18 years or older must complete annual SafeSport Training.
A collegiate membership is for competitive collegiate climbers that wish to compete at divisional and/or national level collegiate events. A collegiate membership can also be used at collegiate qualifying (local) events. In order to compete in non-collegiate events, a collegiate member must upgrade to a competitor membership through their USA Climbing account. In order to obtain this membership, a collegiate member that is 18 years or older must complete annual SafeSport Training.
A collegiate introductory membership is for competitive climbers that wish to compete at qualifying (local) events. In order for a collegiate climber to compete at divisional, and/or national level events, collegiate introductory members must upgrade their membership, in addition to other eligibility requirements, through their USA Climbing account to either a competitor membership (youth/adult) or a collegiate membership (collegiate). In order to obtain this membership, an introductory member that is 18 years or older must complete annual SafeSport Training.
A paraclimbing membership is for competitive para-athletes that wish to compete at local and national level paraclimbing events. In order to compete in non-paraclimbing events, a paraclimbing member must upgrade to a competitor membership through their USA Climbing account. In order to obtain this membership, a paraclimbing member that is 18 years or older must complete annual SafeSport Training.
Details for the fall season coming in August 2021.
A Level 1 Coach Membership is for coaches that wish to coach at a USA Climbing Sanctioned Event. Level 1 Coaches do not have competition isolation area (‘iso’) access. A Level 1 Coach does have the ability to file appeals. In order to obtain this membership, a coach must complete annual SafeSport Training, successfully pass a background screen, and provide documentation of their coaching role. SafeSport Training and Background Screens can be accessed through a member’s USA Climbing account. Coaching verification is to be completed independently by the member with documentation uploaded into their USA Climbing account. Level 1 Coaches can upgrade their membership to a Level 2 Coach Membership at any time through their USA Climbing account.
A Level 2 Coach Membership is for coaches that wish to coach at a USA Climbing Sanctioned Event. Level 2 Coaches have competition isolation area (‘iso’) access and the ability to file appeals. In order to obtain this membership, a coach must complete annual SafeSport Training, First Aid/CPR certification, successfully pass a background screen, and provide documentation of their coaching role. SafeSport Training and Background Screens can be accessed through a member’s USA Climbing account. First Aid/CPR Certification and coaching verification is to be completed independently by the member with documentation uploaded into their USA Climbing account.
Supporter Members are individuals who support the strategic direction of USA Climbing, including but not limited to, purpose, programs, aims and objectives of USA Climbing.
A Certified Routesetter Membership is for USA Climbing certified routesetters. In order to obtain this membership, a routesetter must complete annual SafeSport Training. All Certified Routesetters must also successfully pass a background screen. SafeSport Training and Background Screens can be accessed through a member’s USA Climbing account.
A Non- Certified Routesetter Membership is for individuals in process of becoming a Certified Routesetter by attending a Routesetting Clinic. Once a Routesetter Member successfully completes clinic requirements, they must upgrade to a Certified Routesetter Membership in order for certification to be complete. This membership is also for routesetters who are not certified but are members of a routesetting crew who are routesetting for a USA Climbing competition where a certification is not required. In order to obtain this membership, a routesetter member that is 18 years or older must complete annual SafeSport Training.
A Certified Judge Membership is required for all Certified Chief Judges and Certified Route Judges who appear on the ‘Certified Judges List’. In order to obtain this membership, a judge must complete annual SafeSport Training and successfully pass a background screen. SafeSport Training and Background Screens can be accessed through a member’s USA Climbing account.
This membership is required for gyms who are hosting any USA Climbing sanctioned events. It allows inclusion in a searchable gym locator on the USA Climbing website and one free membership of their choice.
This membership allows a gym to be included in a searchable gym locator on the USA Climbing website and access to USA Climbing benefits.
This membership is available for facilities with multiple locations that have already purchased one classic gym membership and are hosting USA Climbing sanctioned events. For example, if a gym has three locations they should purchase one full gym membership and two additional facility memberships.
A Volunteer Membership is required by those seeking to volunteer at a sanctioned USA Climbing competition. Volunteer Memberships (Covered and Non-Covered Individuals) are split into two categories based on the type of volunteer position.
Covered Individuals: Chief Belayers, Isolation Coordinators, Volunteer Coordinators, and Event Organizers. In order to obtain this membership, a member must complete annual SafeSport Training and successfully pass a background screen. SafeSport Training and Background Screens can be accessed through a member’s USA Climbing account.
Non-Covered Individuals: Non-Certified Judges, Scorekeepers, Runners, and Belayers.
The coach who created the team has a certification that has expired. Once the coach renews that, your team will go. back to a current status. No action is required on behalf of the member.
Click on where your membership says “current” you will see the option to renew your 2021/2022 membership at the bottom of the form.
You will need to cancel and re-set up the auto renewal with the updated card information. You can access your auto renewal by logging in to your USA climbing account. Click on the “Memberships” tab then click on where your membership shows “Current”. You will see the option to start or cancel your auto renewal at the bottom of the form.
You can access your auto renewal by logging in to your USA climbing account. Click on the “Memberships” tab then click on where your membership shows “Current”. You will see the option to start or cancel your auto renewal at the bottom of the form.
Send an email to info@usaclimbing.org or a submit a support ticket with your name and the new email address you would like as the primary on your account.
Memberships have moved to a rolling structure and valid for a year from purchase date
Registration is open. Memberships have moved to a rolling structure and are valid for a year from the purchase date. If you selected auto renewal, your membership will renew on the date you purchased the previous year
Detailed descriptions can be found in the Member Handbook.
Yes, you can upgrade by logging in to your account, click on “Memberships”/ where your membership says “current” in green/ “change membership type” at the bottom of the form. You will then be prompted to make payment for the difference of the price.
Both memberships can be used to compete in the Qualifying Events, scores will only be eligible for Regional qualification once a member has upgraded to the Competitor membership.
Click on where your certification says “Lapsed” and work through the form. You will need to re-upload, change the expiration dates, and save.
The Level 1 membership type can be found by clicking on where your membership says “Current” “Renew” or “Lapsed” (whichever status it is in) where you will find “Change Membership Type” on the bottom of the form where you can renew the membership type of your choice.
Upgrade by clicking on where your Level 1 coach membership says “Current”, click on “Change Membership Type” where you can select the Level 2 membership and pay the difference of the fees.
This must be done by USA Climbing administration. Please email info@usaclimbing.org with the information.
Detailed steps can be found here.
A coach’s membership must be fully current prior to coaching at a USA Climbing sanctioned event.
Yes, a Level 1 Coach membership is a minimum requirement to be on the competition floor at a USA Climbing sanctioned event.
A level 2 Coach membership allows isolation access.
For Qualifying Events, yes. Collegiate competitors can compete in QEs in any collegiate division. For Collegiate Divisionals, collegiate competitors must compete in the division where their school is located.
Proof of enrollment is uploaded in the Documents tab of your USA Climbing Membership.
Proof of enrollment must be verified for you USA Climbing Collegiate Membership to be current. Please allow 24-72 hours for this to be approved.
Proof of Enrollment can be any of the following:
No, a competitor must have a Collegiate Membership in order to be able to compete at Collegiate Nationals. If a competitor wants to be eligible for Collegiate Nationals, they must upgrade their Collegiate Recreational Membership to a Collegiate Membership prior to Divisionals.
Yes, a competitor may compete at Divisionals with a Collegiate Recreational Membership. However competing at Divisionals with a Collegiate Recreational Membership does not allow the competitors scores to be eligible for Collegiate Nationals. If a competitor wants to be eligible for Collegiate Nationals, they must upgrade their Collegiate Recreational Membership to a Collegiate Membership prior to divisionals.
The Collegiate Recreational membership allows participation at Qualifying and Divisional events only. A competitor must upgrade to the Collegiate membership prior to Collegiate Divisionals for their scores to be eligible for Collegiate Nationals.
Please reach out to info@usaclimbing.org for assistance.
SafeSport training is required annually.
Those who have taken the Core training only need to take the 15 minute annual refresher upon expiration.
Those who have taken the Refresher Course: Recognizing and Reporting Misconduct, only need to take Refresher 2 upon expiration.
Those who have taken Refresher 2 only need to complete Refresher 3
Only one training is required annually.
To access the refresher courses you do not need to renew your Core Training. Click on “Add Center for Safe Sport Training” to locate the refresher courses.
Each year, the deadline for the annual refresher is one year from the training completion date.
The USA Climbing Safe Sport access code is no longer in use. Please access the Safe Sport training from within your USA climbing account by clicking on the “Center for Safe Sport Training” tab.
The Safe Sport training is accessed within a members account profile and an access code is no longer necessary. Once in the account you will see “Center for Safe Sport Training” on the left side of the profile. Click on “Add Center for Safe Sport Training”
After the initial Core Training, which may take up to about 90 minutes to complete, annual refreshers are required which generally take about 20 minutes to complete.
Not at this time. The Center has created an optional online training course intended for youth athletes (subject to parent or guardian consent).
All Certified Officials must complete Safe Sport training. In addition, Isolation Coordinators, Event Organizers, and Volunteer Coordinators will be required to obtain the Volunteer-Covered membership and to complete Safe Sport training. All other volunteers are encouraged to take the free training by registering for the USA Climbing Volunteer Non-Covered Membership and accessing the “Center for Safe Sport Training” from within your USA Climbing account profile on the left side of your dashboard.
Parental consent is required if you are under 18. This is accessed through the training itself in your USA Climbing account. If your parents are concerned about the training or object to you completing the training it is not required until you turn 18. Once you are an adult member you must have the training complete to continue your membership with USA Climbing.
If the training requirement applies to your membership, then it is required for you have completed training prior to competing in USA Climbing sanctioned events, participate in USA Climbing camps or other training activities, and to utilize USA Climbing facilities.
The training is also required in order to utilize USOPC facilities for training, competition or any other reason.
Under USA Climbing’s existing policies and practices, the following categories of individuals continue to be required to complete the Safe Sport training including annual refresher training:
This Policy applies to the following Covered Individuals:
i. USA Climbing Staff
ii. USA Climbing Introductory, Competitor, Paraclimbing, and Collegiate Members 18-years and older
iii. USA Climbing Interns iv. USA Climbing Board Members v. USA Climbing Designated Committee Members (NGC, Audit, Judicial, Hearing Panel Pool, and Team Selection)
vi. USA Climbing National, Divisonal, and Regional Coordinators
vii. USA Climbing Certified Coaches viii. USA Climbing Certified Officials ix. USA Climbing Certified Routesetters x. USA Climbing Covered Volunteers (i.e. volunteer coordinator, isolation coordinator, event organizers)
xi. USA Climbing National Team Contracted Medical Personnel (i.e. doctors, trainers, etc.)
xii. USA Climbing Contracted Massage Therapists
xiii. USA Climbing Contractors who have regular contact with minor athletes (i.e. official National Team Chaperones)
xiv. USA Climbing National Team Athletes in USADA’s Registered Testing Pool
xv. Any other individual that USA Climbing formally authorizes, approves or appoints (a) to a position of authority over, or (b) to have regular contact with any athlete
Regular Contact (from the U.S. Center for Safe Sport 2022 MAAPP Policies) or “Sustained Interaction” includes ongoing interactions during a 12-month period wherein an Adult Participant is in a role of direct and active engagement with any Minor Athlete.
We are all committed to athlete safety. The training is one piece in sustaining a safe environment for all athletes. Safe Sport Training helps all of us to be more aware of unsafe behavior and potential disruptions to athletes’ desire to train, compete and enjoy their sport.
The law, “Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017” authorizes the U.S. Center for Safe Sport (the “Center”) to address the risk of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of amateur athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. The Center provides education and requirements consistent with the law, and this training is part of those requirements. The training is required by the Center, the USOC and USA Climbing.
The USA Climbing Safe Sport access code is no longer in use. Please access the Safe Sport training from within your USA Climbing account by clicking on the “Center for Safe Sport Training” tab.
The system isn’t designed for a member to upload a Safe Sport Certificate. Everything is now completed through your USA Climbing account. If you completed your training outside your USA climbing account, please email your certificate to info@usaclimbing.org
Please click on where the course says “Resume” and click the X at the bottom of the page. This is the finalizing step to a current status.
The Refresher courses can be found by clicking on “Add Center for Safe Sport Training” it will automatically reflect to a current status once complete.
No, only one 15 minute annual refresher is required.
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