Categories included in Para Climbing are open to those with physical disabilities:

• Neurological / Physical Disability (RP1, RP2, RP3)
• Visual Impairment (B1, B2, B3)
• Upper Extremity Amputee (AU2, AU3)
• Lower Extremity Amputee (AL2)
• Seated (AL1)
• Youth (16 and under)
• Open

USA Climbing Membership
All competitors must create an account in the USA Climbing Member Portal and have an active Para Climbing Membership to compete. Instructions for setting up a membership can be found at usaclimbing.org/memberships.

Local Events
USA Climbing hosts 3-4 local events across the country each year. You can find more details about these events as well as other Para Climbing groups on the Para Climbing Events page.

Classification
The categories listed above, excluding Youth and Open, utilize the most current International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) classification rules. Learn more about classification in the next section.

National Championships
USA Climbing hosts a Para Climbing National Championship each year which is an athlete’s avenue to get involved in our Para Climbing Series. To participate at Para Climbing Nationals, an athlete can go through classification in an effort to be classified into one of our official categories or if not wanting to compete in an official category or go through classification may sign up for one of the Open categories.

Para Climbing National Championships will be a two round competition hosting a qualification round on day 1 and an onsight final round on day 2.  The climbing will be executed on top rope.

IFSC World Cups and World Championships
Invitations to the IFSC World Cups (yearly) and World Para Climbing Championships (every two years), will be given based on the results of that year’s Para Climbing National Championships.

If you have any questions, please contact our Senior Events Manager, Madeleine Palmer, at madeleine@usaclimbing.org.

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USA Climbing is excited to announce that the 2026 Para Climbing Nationals Championships will take place on February 28 – March 1 at Momentum Climbing Katy in Katy, TX. In preparation for the event, we would like to provide athletes with information related to in-person classifications ahead of Nationals so you may begin planning and submitting any necessary documentation to USA Climbing.

Classification dates for the 2026 Para Nationals are February 26 and 27. Please consider this when making travel plans. Please consider this when making travel plans.

In order to compete in the classified categories, all competitors must be classified unless competing in Open category, Youth category, have a confirmed status or have a review date later than 2026. For past competitors, please review your Classification Status.

Classify at Nationals
Classification Status- None or Review
Review date 2026 or earlier
Visually Impaired Category (document review only) 

View Classification StatusAt Classification
Licensed health professionals trained as Classifiers will perform physical examinations to assess the competitor’s range of motion, strength, and function. They will then use that information to classify each athlete based on the most current IFSC Classification rules.

Classification Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF) and Supporting Documents
To be classified into one of the official categories, a competitor must submit a new Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF) along with supporting documents.

• Physical Impairment (PI) Medical Diagnostic Form
  Classification will only take place for the PI categories. PI Forms must be completed and signed by a physician (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy) after March 3, 2025.
• Visual Impairment (VI) Medical Diagnostic Form
  VI Classifiers will be reviewing submitted VI Medical Diagnostic Forms and supporting documents ahead of the 2026 Para Climbing National Championships. Trained USOPC VI Classifiers will classify athletes based on the most current IFSC Classification rules. VI Classification will not include in-person classification or observation. VI Forms must be completed and signed by an Ophthalmologist after March 3, 2025.
• Supporting Documents
  Supporting documentation should explain the history and work-up for the underlying medical diagnosis associated with the impairment. Supporting documentation often does not need to be newly completed but can often consist of medical history, visit documentation, or testing that was used to make the original diagnosis.

MDFs cannot be signed by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner or optometrist.

Classification Document Submission
To submit your Medical Diagnostic Form and supporting documents, follow these steps:
1. Log into your USA Climbing Member Portal*
2. View your Profile
3. Click on the “Documents” tab on the left-hand side
4. Click “Add Document”
5. Select “Physical Medical Diagnostic Form” or “Visual Medical Diagnostic Form”
6. Upload your Medical Diagnostic Form

Document Review
Classifiers will review documents for completeness. Athletes are notified if additional documents are necessary or if their documents are ready for in-person classification at Nationals.

Deadline for all classification documents submission is Friday, January 9, 2026. Documentation submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed prior to the competition and incomplete documentation may result in the inability to complete the classification process. Documents at Classification will no longer be accepted, unless approved by Classifiers ahead of time.

National Championship Registration
When Nationals registration opens, you will select your classification date/time and select the sport class you have either competed in in the past or you think you fit in. During classification, you will be placed in the correct sport class. These appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis and competitors should consider these prior to making your travel plans.

Registration will open soon. In the meantime, you can complete your membership requirements and create your Result Service Profile. For step-by-step instructions, visit usaclimbing.org/compete/#register.