membership structure

USTA’s new membership structure benefits all levels of athletes and professionals

The United States Twirling Association is proud to announce a new membership structure which will provide all levels of athletes and professionals with competitive access and valuable resources, regardless of whether they want to participate in USTA competitions, U.S. Qualifying Events for IBTF international competitions, or both. You will be able to apply for or renew memberships starting on Sept. 1 via the USTA Member Portal.

The new membership structure and other important information for the new season will be the focus of a special joint Coaches and Judges Network Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 6 pm PDT / 7 p.m. MDT / 8 p.m. CDT/ 9 p.m. EDT. Register here for this valuable session!

In the meantime, the information below will help you select and apply for or renew the correct USTA membership for you and your athletes.

USTA also offers certain membership types for individuals who are, or will be, over 21 years of age. Specifically, under USTA’s new membership structure, all members who are 21 or older, or who will turn 21 during the upcoming competition season, must either (1) pay for and complete a mandatory background check, or (2) if the member completed a background check during the prior competition season, they must complete a no-cost update during the upcoming season.

**In other words, members who are 21 years or older will generally need to pay for a background check every other year.**

Consequently, members who are, or will be, over 21 years of age during the upcoming competitive season should first check to see if they paid and completed a background check during the prior competitive season. Members can do so by logging onto the USTA Member Portal and taking the following steps:

Log onto the USTA Member Portal (https://ustwirling.justgo.com) and click “MY PROFILE” in the upper toolbar.

Then click “CREDENTIALS.”

Among your credentials, check to see if you have an entry titled “Background Check Request” with a status that says “COMPLETE (PASSED).” If so, that reflects a year when you paid for and passed a background check.

If you do not have a “Background Check Request” credential with a status of “COMPLETE (PASSED),” then you need to pay for and complete a background check.
Similarly, if you have a “Background Check Request” credential with a status of “COMPLETE (PASSED)” but the “Start” date listed on that credential is older than September 1, 2024, then you need to pay for and complete a background check.

In both of these situations, individuals who wish to purchase an Athlete or Professional Membership should select the following membership options:

For Individuals Who Will Be Over 21 Years Of Age Anytime During The Upcoming Season And Needs To Pay For And Complete A Background Check

Athlete 21+ Membership	Professional Membership	Organizational 21+ Membership
Allows athletes to participate in USTA local, state, regional, and national competitions, including Athlete of the Year and PreTrials, IBTF Qualifiers, and USA Tour.	Allows participation in USTA local, state, regional, and national competitions, IBTF Qualifiers, USA Tour and USTA workshops, webinars, and conventions.	Allows members of a studio or club to compete at local, state, regional and national competitions in group disciplines and Foundation Events, as well as team, group, and corps at the IBTF Qualifier and USA Tour.

If, however, you have a “Background Check Request” credential with a status of “COMPLETE (PASSED)” and the “Start” date listed on that credential is between Sept. 1, 2024 and Aug. 30, 2025, then you do not need to pay for a new background check. Rather, you completed a background check during the prior competition season and you simply need to complete a no-cost update during the upcoming season.
For example, the member with the credential below paid for and completed a background check during the prior competitive season and just needs to complete the no-cost update.