Rating Change Information
- Division I NAC and National Championships are always Group A4 events.
- Division IA NAC and National Championships are always at least Group A3 events.
- Division II NAC and National Championships are always at least Group B3 events.
- Division III NAC and National Championships are always at least Group C3 events.
- Rating changes are allowed at USA Fencing sanctioned individual events restricted to Veteran and Junior fencers.
- Division and Regional Youth competitions must meet or exceed the criteria for a C1 event to award rating changes. (Board of Directors, July 2002 and July 2003)
- USA Fencing permits rating changes at mixed events without regard to the gender of the fencers.
- Local tournaments must use at least one rated referee to issue ratings.
- Recognized high school events may issue rating changes based on this chart and do not have to meet the C1 tournament rating.
- Ratings are not awarded in team championship events. (Board of Directors, March 2012)
Ratings are valid for four seasons after they are earned. If a rating is not renewed within four seasons, it drops to the next lowest letter and takes the then-current year, effective at the start of the new season on Aug. 1. For example, a B earned in 2020 became a C24 on Aug. 1, 2024. If that C24 is not renewed for four more seasons, it becomes a D28 on Aug. 1, 2028.
How to Determine Rating Changes for Foreign Fencers
Ratings for foreign fencers are determined by placement at designated FIE Cadet, Junior and Senior competitions, designated EFC Cadet competitions, and World Championships in the current season or the previous three seasons, in the weapon in which the athlete requests entry. Parafencers earn ratings under the same requirements that apply to FIE Veteran events. Results at Zonal Championships are not considered. The chart below shows the placements required.
| A | B | C |
Senior | 1st – 64th | 65th – 96th | National Team member |
Junior | 1st – 32nd | 33rd – 64th | National Team member |
Cadet
| 1st – 16th at Cadet World Championships | 17th – 32nd at Cadet World Championships | National Team member |
Parafencing | 1st – 3rd at Parafencing World Championships | 5th – 8th at Parafencing World Championships | 9th – 16th at Parafencing World Championships |
Veteran 40 – 49 | 1st – 3rd at Veteran World Championships | 5th – 8th at Veteran World Championships | 9th – 16th at Veteran World Championships |
Veteran 50 – 59 | 1st – 3rd at Veteran World Championships | 5th – 8th at Veteran World Championships | 9th – 16th at Veteran World Championships |
Veteran 60 – 69 |
| 1st – 3rd at Veteran World Championships | 5th – 8th at Veteran World Championships |
Veteran 70+ |
|
| 1st – 3rd at Veteran World Championships |
In all cases, the rating year suffix is the year the result was earned. If a fencer's international results did not come from the competitions listed above, the National Events Department will consult the National Weapon Coach or the Chief of Sport Performance on which rating to use.
National Team member is defined as a fencer that has represented another nation in international competition and/or has been entered by another nation into a USA Fencing competition.