USA Climbing Memberships

All USA Climbing Memberships are location based. At registration, you are required to chose a region or Collegiate Division (for Collegiate Memberships). Please refer to the maps below to locate your region.

USA Climbing Regions

Collegiate Membership Divisions

Athlete Memberships

A membership 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.

USA Climbing youth age categories for the 2023-2024 season by birth year:

  • Youth D | 2013 or later
  • Youth C | 2011 or 2012
  • Youth B | 2009 or 2010
  • Youth A | 2007 or 2008
  • Junior | 2005 or 2006

USA Climbing adult categories are 16+ for the 2023-2024 season.

Elite and Youth Series- Competitor Membership - $110

An Elite and Youth Series 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 Youth Series 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.

Collegiate Membership - $65

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.

Collegiate Recreation Membership - $35

A Collegiate Recreation 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 Recreation 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, a recreation member that is 18 years or older must complete annual SafeSport Training.

Paraclimbing Membership - $50

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.

Recreational Membership (Not eligible within the Youth Series) - $35

The Recreational Series Membership is required to participate in recreational series competitions and is not eligible for participation within the Youth Series.

To support athletes interested in a less competitive experience, USA Climbing is piloting a Recreational Series in some regions this season to run in parallel to the existing Youth Series. This is intended to be a developmental platform for athletes new to the sport of climbing to learn the basic aspects of the sport without the pressure of rankings.

Check back soon for additional information about recreational series competitions scheduled in your region.

Community Memberships

Climbing is a community. Climbers of all abilities are at the heart; but athletes could not pursue their passion without the tireless efforts of coaches, judges, routesetters and volunteers.

Level 1 Coach Membership - $50

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.

Level 2 Coach Membership - $100

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.

Certified Judge Membership - Free

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.

Non Certified Routesetter Membership - Free

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.

Certified Routesetter Membership - $100

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.

Volunteer Membership - Free

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.

Gym Memberships

Climbing gyms are the foundation of the sport.

With more than 600 gyms in the US, odds are there is a fantastic gym near you. Ranging in size from fun, funky bouldering gyms to massive commercial facilities with restaurants and yoga classes – the range of disciplines and amenities vary.

Basic Gym Membership - $100

This membership allows a gym to be included in a searchable gym locator on the USA Climbing website and access to USA Climbing benefits.

Full Gym Membership - $250

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.

Additional Facility Membership - $75

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.

Membership Resource Videos

Member Benefits- More details can be found by logging into your USA Climbing account and clicking on "Partner Discounts"

Frequently Asked Questions

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