A USA Fencing membership is required by all individual members of USA Fencing Member Clubs who utilize the USA Fencing insurance program. Competitive memberships are required to compete in any USA Fencing sanctioned event. The membership year coincides with the fencing season, which occurs between August 1 and the following July 31. All dues are payable on application for membership and thereafter on or before the next membership year begins. Membership dues are not prorated at any time except when eligible for extended membership (see below for extended membership policy).
Cost: $15
Basic membership for training at USA Fencing clubs, this membership DOES NOT permit eligibility to compete in any sanctioned USA Fencing tournament. Includes secondary medical/accident insurance, but does not allow the member to vote in USA Fencing elections. (Membership originated in August, 2011)
Magazine subscription and membership card are not included. Membership can be upgraded when the fencer registers for a local, regional or national tournament.
Cost: $25
Access members are eligible to compete at sanctioned local tournaments, including division qualifiers, throughout the season. In addition, Access members are eligible to vote in USA Fencing division and national elections (must be current and 18 years old as of February 1). A digital subscription to American Fencing magazine are also included.
**Access members may upgrade to a Competitive membership and be eligible to compete in regional and national tournaments.
Cost: $50
Collegiate Competitive members have the same rights, benefits and privileges as Competitive members. In order to become a Collegiate Competitive member, an individual must be listed as a member on an approved roster submitted by a college/university fencing club with a current USA Fencing Club membership.
Please note: NCAA fencing programs are required to become Affiliate Club members (at a minimum) in order for individual NCAA athletes to receive the discounted Collegiate Competitive membership.
Cost: $90
Open to all persons upon payment of the dues for the membership year as specified herein. (All memberships expire on July 31 unless eligible for extended membership, see below for more information) Competitive members have the right to enter and compete in local, divisional, regional, and national-level competitions, and may vote in elections of the USA Fencing membership subject to the member voting age restriction and deadlines as to the date of membership (must be 18 years old as of February 1) or be a candidate for office in USA Fencing elections. Competitive members may join for one-year term upon payment of dues as determined by the Board of Directors.
Cost: $120
Individuals acting as coaches or instructors of athletes or participants at USA Fencing clubs, their events or activities, or at USA Fencing sanctioned events or activities, shall be screened through the Coach membership. Coach members have the same rights, benefits and privileges as Competitive members and additionally receive the benefit of a general liability insurance policy. In order to become a Coach member, an individual must successfully complete the SafeSport course and a background screen as required by USA Fencing.
Cost: $90
The International Competitive License (ICL) is open to all fencers who represent a country other than the United States and wish to compete in USA Fencing sanctioned local, regional, division and national events, not including national championships or division qualifiers. The ICL is an annual license that expires on July 31 each year and does not include the right to vote in USA Fencing or division elections.
Cost: $20
Current USA Fencing Life, Life Installment and Olympian/Paralympian Life members who coach at USA Fencing clubs, their events or activities, or at USA Fencing sanctioned events are required to add +Coach. A background screen and SafeSport training are required and both are included in the cost of the add-on. The benefits of the base membership are retained.
Cost: $20
Referees, bout committee, armorers, volunteers and board members (not coaches) are required to have the +CheckEd add-on. Current USA Fencing members may add the +CheckEd add-on to the following membership types: Non-Competitive, Competitive, Collegiate Competitive, Supporting, Life, Life Installment, Olympian Life or Paralympian Life. The add-on includes the cost of the background screen and SafeSport training. The benefits of the base membership are retained. This membership add-on is for members who do not coach but are involved in administrative capacities.
Cost: $1,200
On payment of dues as determined by the Board of Directors, Life members have the same rights, benefits and privileges as Competitive members, and may vote in elections of the USA Fencing membership subject to the member voting age restriction and deadlines as to the date of membership (must be 18 years old as of February 1) or be a candidate for office in USA Fencing elections. Life members retain these rights, benefits and privileges for the remainder of their natural lives without the payment of additional dues. Life members working in a professional capacity (coach, referees, etc) may purchase the +Coach or +CheckEd add on.
Cost: $120 over 10 consecutive seasons (can pay off early if desired)
Open to all persons upon payment of one-tenth the dues for Life membership at the time of enrollment. Upon payment of membership dues installments for 10 consecutive years at the same rate as at the time of enrollment, the membership will automatically be converted to Life membership. The purpose of this category is to allow individuals to become Life members by spreading the cost of the Life membership fee over a period of 10 years.
Membership Extension Policy: A new or first-time upgrading member who joins USA Fencing between April 1 and June 30 of the current membership season shall be entitled to a membership for the remaining months in the current season through the next membership season.
In the event of membership cancellation, USA Fencing does not refund membership dues.
For additional questions, contact info@usafencing.org.
