USFA Classification Reference Chart
Effective August 1, 2002

NOTE: Age-restricted competitions may be rated if they meet the criteria below. This is a new policy effective August 1, 2002.

Event Minimum
Fencers 		Rated
Fencers
Required 		Rated
Fencers
Must
Finish 		Classifications
Awarded
Group E1 6 NONE N/A 1 E
Group D1 15 NONE N/A 1
2-4 		D
E
Group C1 15 2 C's &
2 D's &
2 E's
(or higher) 		2 C's &
2 D's
(or higher)
in top 8 		1
2-4
5-8 		C
D
E
Group C2 25 4 D's &
4 E's
(or higher) 		4 D's
(or higher)
in top 8 		1
2-4
5-8 		C
D
E
Group C3 64 24 D's &
12 E's
(or higher) 		4 D's
in top 8 &
4 E's
(or higher)
in top 12 		1-4
5-8
9-16 		C
D
E
Group B1 15 2 B's &
2 C's &
2 D's
(or higher) 		2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher)
in top 8 		1
2-4
5-6
7-8 		B
C
D
E
Group B2 25 2 B's &
2 C's &
2 D's
(or higher) 		2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher)
in top 8 		1
2-4
5-8
9-12 		B
C
D
E
Group B3 64 24 C's &
12 D's
(or higher) 		4 C's
in top 8 &
4 D's
(or higher)
in top 12 		1-4
5-8
9-16
17-32 		B
C
D
E
Group A1 15 2 A's &
2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher) 		2 A's &
2 B's
(or higher)
in top 8 		1
2-4
5-6
7-8 		A
B
C
D
Group A2 25 2 A's &
2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher) 		2 A's &
2 B's
(or higher)
in top 8 		1
2-4
5-8
9-10 		A
B
C
D
Group A3 64 24 B's &
12 C's
(or higher) 		4 B's
in top 8 &
4 C's
(or higher)
in top 12 		1-4
5-8
9-16
17-24
25-32 		A
B
C
D
E
Group A4 64 12 A's &
12 B's &
12 C's
(or higher) 		4 A's
in top 8 &
4 B's
(or higher)
in top 12 		1-8
9-16
17-24
25-32
33-48 		A
B
C
D
E

Division I NAC and National Championships are always Group A4 events.
Division I-A 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.

Regarding ties for third place:
Third place earns the appropriate rating (i.e., a "B" at a Group A1 competition) whether there is one 3rd, two 3rds, or more (ties in a pool final). All of the third place finishers get whatever classification is appropriate, according to the strength of the competition.