Levels & Age Groups

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USA Dance has established a new leveling scheme for the 2026-2027 season based on proficiency classes. If you have competed in a USA Dance competition since the 2024 National Championships, you can see your proficiency class here. The following levels are offered for amateur, solo, and mixed amateur events at the 2027 National Championships:

• N-Class Pre-Bronze (equivalent to Newcomer or Pre-Bronze)
• E-Class Bronze
• D-Class Silver
• C-Class Gold
• B-Class Open (equivalent to Novice)
• A-Class Open (equivalent to Pre-Champ)
• S-Class Open Championship

Competitors are allowed to enter up to two consecutive levels. Events at the Southeastern Dancesport Championships that qualify you to the National Championships are denoted with the word Qualifying

For pro/am events, the same classes are used, but there are additional gradations within the classes. At the 2027 Southeastern Dancesport Championships, we offer the following levels for pro/am events:

• N-Class Pre-Bronze, N-Class Newcomer
• E-Class Beginning Bronze, E-Class Int. Bronze, E-Class Full Bronze, E-Class Adv. Bronze
• E-Class Open (equivalent to Open Bronze)
• D-Class Pre-Silver, D-Class Int. Silver, D-Class Full Silver, D-Class Adv Silver
• D-Class Open (equivalent to Open Silver)
• C-Class Pre-Gold, C-Class Int. Gold, C-Class Full Gold, C-Class Adv Gold
• C-Class Open (equivalent to Open Gold)
• B-Class Open
• A-Class Open

Pro/am competitors are allowed to enter up to four levels

A competitor's age is determined as of December 31 of the year of the competition. For mixed amateur and pro/am events, the judged partner's age is used to determine the age group. The age groups are:

• Teddy Bear (unofficial): 7 years and below
• Pre-Teen I: 8-9 years old
• Pre-Teen II: 10-11 years old
• Junior I: 12-13 years old
• Junior II: 14-15 years old
• Youth: 16-18 years old
• Under 21: 16-20 years old
• Adult: 19 or older
• Senior I: One partner 35 or older, the other 30 or older
• Senior II: One partner 45 or older, the other 40 or older
• Senior III: One partner 55 or older, the other 50 or older
• Senior IV: One partner 65 or older, the other 60 or older
• Senior V: Both partners 70 or older
• Senior VI: Both partners 75 or older

Senior dancers are welcome to compete in up to two consecutive age divisions they are eligible for based on their ages. They may select different age groups for each level. Teddy Bear, Pre-Teen, Junior, and Youth dancers may dance in the youngest age division for which both partners are eligible, plus the next age division older, plus Under 21 (if eligible).