ALL athletes must sign a new eligibility code form with IPC prior to licensing.
All Para athletes must become members of USA Track & Field to apply for their IPC license beginning January 2025. You will NOT need to pay an additional $25 license fee. Click here to create or renew your USA Track & Field membership.
2026 IPC licenses are available. For a current list of IPC licensed athletes, please check the IPC Classification Master List.
World Para Athletics (WPA) has launched an online database application that was developed in partnership with Atos Origin. The application is called the IPC Sport Data Management System (SDMS). The general functionality of the online application includes the following:
Note: Athletes must have a current IPC License in order to:
The IPC license is valid from the time the application if fully processed through the end of that calendar year. The license will expire at the end of each calendar year and must be renewed to carry over from one year to the next.
The IPC License is only required for athletes (age 14 and above) who plan to compete at an international competition (Grand Prix, Worlds, Parapans, etc.) or at a National Championships level competition.
Athletes should submit their IPC License documents only after a current standard has been achieved (i.e., National Championships entry standard is the minimum requirement) and the National Classification process has been completed.
Please note that athletes who compete at an event where international classification is offered will be required to submit the Medical Diagnostics Form/supplemental documentation eight weeks prior to the competition and participate in international classification if they hold an IPC License and have a "New (N)" or "Review (R)" international classification status.
Athletes should submit the IPC License information if they are:
Athletes who have been IPC licensed in previous years and need to renew the license, must complete the following steps:
1. Create or renew your USA Track & Field membership. You do NOT need to pay an additional $25 license fee. You only need to be a member of USA Track & Field to be eligible for your license beginning January 2025. For faster licensing process time please forward your 2025 membership confirmation to ParaInfo@usatf.org.
2. Athletes who have an international classification status of "New", "Review" or "Review 2025" must submit updated medical documentation and supporting documents before you can be licensed. If your international classification status is confirmed, you likely do not need to submit the medical form.
3. If you have renewed your passport since you were first licensed, you will need to provide an updated copy of your passport prior to being eligible to renew your license. If you know this applies to you, please send a copy of your passport to classification@usatf.org.
4. Complete your SDMS athlete portal forms (if applicable). You will receive an email from NoReply@paralympic.org within 7 days of us receiving your USATF membership confirmation. You will need to go to the IPC Master List to find your SDMS number by pulling the master list for American athletes for the previous year (or the last year you had a license). If you have not received an email from NoReply@paralympic.org you can visit the IPC SDMS athlete login webpage after 7 days. If you are having issues with the Athlete Portal, please email classification@usatf.org.
Athletes who have never been licensed must complete the following steps:
2. Submit a completed Medical Diagnostics Form to Classification@usatf.org.
3. Email a copy of your current passport. The IPC requires a passport or passport card as proof of citizenship. Scan or take a picture the informational page of your passport (the one with your photo), save it as a PDF and email it to Classification@usatf.org. Please do not fax as it will not come through clearly. If you do not have a passport or your passport is being processed, you may submit a copy of your birth certificate and submit the passport at a later date.
4. Email a recent headshot photo (photos must have a white background, not include headgear, dark glasses and hair bands on the athlete and have the head of the athlete looking face-on). Using a digital camera, have someone take a picture of you against a white wall and email the photo to Classification@usatf.org. Please do not fax as it will not come through clearly.
5. Complete your SDMS athlete portal forms. You will receive an email from NoReply@paralympic.org within 5 days of your payment to the email you used on the payment page. You will need to go to the IPC Master List to find your SDMS number by pulling the master list for American athletes for the previous year(or last year you had a license). If you have not received an email from NoReply@paralympic.org you can visit the IPC SDMS athlete login webpage after 7 days. If you are having issues with the Athlete Portal, please email the USATF Classification Coordinator at Classification@usatf.org.
The SDMS will issue a unique athlete identification number (also known as your IPC License Number or SDMS number), which will remain with the athlete through his/her sport career. The IPC Athlete License will be valid for one calendar year (January-December). Please allow 7-10 business days for the license to be active on the IPC Master List after you have submitted all of your information. New athletes will have an International Classification status listed as "N (New)" until they have undergone an international classification evaluation
If you have any questions, please email the USATF Classification Coordinator at Classification@usatf.org.