Test Sessions

What's eligible. Virtual testing is available for skating skills, singles, pairs, pattern dance, and free dance tests. Figure tests are not eligible for virtual testing.

Retest waiting period. Based on changes to USFS Rules, the earliest a skating test marked RETRY can be retaken is the 13th day after the date of the RETRY test (e.g., a RETRY on May 1 may be re-attempted on May 14 at the earliest). This applies to: all skating skills tests (including adult 21+ and 50+); Standard Pre-Bronze, Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Adult Pre-Bronze, Bronze and Adaptive Skating singles tests; all partnered pattern dance tests; all solo pattern dance tests; all adult pairs tests; all adult partnered or solo free dance tests; and all figure tests.

No waiting period applies to the following (a test may still be taken only once per calendar day): Standard singles, pairs, partnered free or solo free dance tests at the Bronze level or higher; and Adult singles at the Silver level or higher.

Video guidelines. A virtual test video must be recorded within 14 days of the submission deadline (the test date). Every video must be accompanied by a performance affidavit, a release and consent form, and (if required) a "permission to test" from the skater's home club. A performance may be evaluated only once for test credit — a video judged in an in-person session may not be resubmitted to a virtual session, and a video submitted to one virtual session may not be submitted to a second.

Proctor. Skaters must confirm an impartial proctor of authority (e.g., test chair, rink manager, skating school director). The proctor may not be a coach/choreographer who has worked with the skater, the skater's personal friend, a skater who trains with the same coach, or a parent/guardian of the skater or their friends/training mates. The videographer may serve as proctor if they meet these criteria. The proctor must watch the performance and verify it was completed in full, on the date/time shown at the start of the video, as a single continuous performance.

Recording requirements. The video must begin with the virtual test placard (skater name, test, host club), immediately followed by a date/time stamp held up on a phone showing the date and time — a video missing the placard or the date/time stamp will be rejected. Record from a fixed position at the judges' stand (you may pan and zoom to keep the skater framed head-to-toe, but do not walk the camera around the ice), in landscape mode, at 1080p60 if possible (720p60 minimum — videos below 720p60 are not accepted). The skater must be framed head-to-toe and clearly identifiable, and the frame kept clear of any other skaters interfering with the test. All audio must be recorded, including for skating skills tests. The performance affidavit must be completed by the athlete, coach, videographer, and proctor (the coach signature may be left blank if the skater has no coach). For full specs, see the "Virtual Testing Video Requirements" document above.

Registration deadline. The deadline to register for a virtual test is 7 days prior to the submission/test date (e.g., a Jan 10 test date closes registration Jan 3). No late registrations are accepted for virtual test sessions.