World Para Swimming Licensing
Athletes who plan to compete at an elite/international level are required to apply for a World Para Swimming (WPS) license annually. An athlete's WPS license is valid from the time of application through the end of the calendar year for which the license is issued. WPS licenses must be renewed annually to carry over from one year to the next.
Athletes must have a current WPS license to:
- be included in WPS world and regional ranking lists
- have a result count for a world or regional record application
- have a result considered for National Team status
- have a result considered for Paralympic Games, Parapan American Games or World Championships team selection
- be eligible for WPS international classification
For more information on the WPS licensing process, required documents and key deadlines, please view the FAQ section below.
All athletes interested in competing at a World Para Swimming international meet in 2026 must apply for licensing. All athletes, even those with confirmed status, must have a valid passport and re-sign the new IPC Athlete Eligibility Agreement in order to be licensed for 2026. For more information on the process and a detailed list of the
required documents, please view the FAQ below.
The deadline to compete these requirements is January 31, 2026. Any licensing after this date will be reviewed but is not guaranteed to be completed prior to competition in 2026.
A WPS license is required for athletes ages 12 and older who plan to compete at the international level. Unless noted in the competition requirements/meet packet, a WPS license is not required to enter a competition.
Note: In order to apply, an athlete should be nationally classified. Athletes can check their U.S. classification status using U.S. Para Swimming's online National Classification Database.
Requirements for athletes include:
- age 12 or older
- have a valid U.S. passport
- plan to compete at the international/elite level
- achieve a current standard (view the U.S. Paralympics Swimming standards)
- have completed the national classification process
- have submitted the Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF)/supporting documents and plan to compete at a meet that offers international classification within the year
Athletes with physical and visual impairments should submit:
- Recent photo. This should be a photo taken in the last six months on a white background with the athlete looking straight forward.
- Passport with a valid expiry date. Please submit a copy of the informational page (the one with your photo) and send it as a PDF.
- If you are renewing your WPS license and already have a copy of your passport on file, you do not need to resubmit this.
- IPC Athlete Eligibility Agreement (version 4) - signed by the athlete (if under 18, also signed by their parent/guardian) and stamped/signed by the NPC
- Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF)
- Supporting medical documents
Athletes with intellectual impairments should submit:
- Recent photo. This should be a photo taken in the last six months on a white background with the athlete looking straight forward.
- Passport with a valid expiry date. Please submit a copy of the informational page (the one with your photo) and send it as a PDF.
- If you are renewing your WPS license and already have a copy of your passport on file, you do not need to resubmit this.
- IPC Athlete Eligibility Agreement (version 4) - signed by the athlete (if under 18, also signed by their parent/guardian) and stamped/signed by the NPC
- TSAL-Q Form
- Virtus registration number. Athletes can check this on the Athletes Without Limits eligibility list.
Note: For athletes with a 'Confirmed' international classification status who are looking to renew their WPS license, a new MDF is not required if there is a current MDF on file with the IPC. For athletes with a 'Review' classification status for the current competition year, please submit an updated MDF and supporting medical documents with your WPS licensing request.
Athletes who want to request licensing should:
- Pay the $25 licensing fee online (by VISA card only).
- Submit their required documentation (MDF/supporting documents, photocopy of passport, current photo) to NPCUSAClassification@usopc.org before January 31, 2026.
- Make sure they have signed an updated IPC Athlete Eligibility Agreement online.
All licensing requirements must be completed by January 31, 2026, for the 2026 competition season. The IPC will review requests after this date but cannot guarantee that it will be completed prior to competition.
After an athlete submits their request and their documents have been reviewed, they will receive an email from NoReply@paralympic.org. The athlete should then go to the WPS Master List to find their SDMS number by pulling the master list for American athletes for the previous year (or the last year they had a license). If an athlete is having issues accessing the Athlete Portal, please email NPCUSAclassification@usopc.org.
The SDMS will issue a unique athlete identification number, which will remain with the athlete through their career. The WPS Athlete License will be valid for one calendar year (January - December). Please allow five to seven business days after successful submission of all licensing documentation for the license to be active on the WPS Master List. If there is additional documentation needed, a staff member from U.S. Paralympics Swimming or USOPC classification will reach out to the athlete via email.
Note: 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 about the WPS licensing process, please reach out to USPara.SwimIfo@usopc.org.