Board-approved rule changes
2026 SCSA Change Log
struck text = removedhighlighted text = added
2.2.1 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: Shooting Boxes should be constructed of wooden boards or other suitable material, must be fixed firmly in place, and provide both physical and visual references to competitors. For hard ground surfaces clear of debris, 0.75-inch material is the minium allowable size. On other range surfaces, such as covered with turf, sand, gravel, wood chips, or similar, thicker material which rises at least 1.5 inches above the surface is recommended.
3.3 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: SCSA matches are governed by the rules applicable to the discipline. Host organizations may not enforce local rules except to comply with legislation or legal precedent in the applicable jurisdiction. Any voluntarily adopted rules that are not in compliance with these rules must not be applied to SCSA matches without the express written consent of the President of USPSA. All local rules allowed under these provisions will be documented at USPSA HQ.
New: SCSA matches are governed by the rules applicable to the discipline. Host organizations may not enforce local rules except to comply with legislation or legal precedent in the applicable jurisdiction. Any voluntarily adopted rules that are not in compliance with these rules must not be applied to SCSA matches without the express written consent of the President of USPSA Director at Large. All local rules allowed under these provisions will be documented at USPSA HQ.
5.2.2 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: No change in equipment (gun, holster or holster position) is permitted without the approval of the Range Master. If a competitor makes such a change without prior approval, they will be disqualified from the match. See Rule 10.3.12.
New: No change in equipment (gun, holster or holster position) is permitted without the approval of the Range Master. If a competitor makes such a change without prior approval, they will may be disqualified from the match. See Rule 10.3.12.
6.5.4 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
New: Binary Trigger, Forced Reset Trigger, or any trigger systems that allow one round to be fired upon pulling the trigger and another on releasing the trigger use is prohibited. Use of bump fire stocks or mechanisms are prohibited.
6.6 through 6.9 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
New: Delete these sections 1
7.3.2.1 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: At Level II and above matches, only staff assigned to the stage may make penalty, safety, or procedural calls during the COF. When match staff are actively competing in a match, only the timer and tablet Range Officials and designated assistant Range Official(s) for a competitor's COF may make such calls during that COF. The Range Master may make such calls anytime when present at a stage and when not the actual competitor during the course of fire.
8.6 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: Assistance or Interference -- In the event that inadvertent contact from the or another external influence has interfered with the competitor during a course of fire, the Range Officer may offer the competitor a reshoot of the affected string. The competitor must accept or decline the offer prior to seeing the time or the score from the initial attempt. However, in the event that the competitor commits a safety infraction during any such interference, the provisions of 10.2 may still apply.
10.3.3 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: Dropping a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, at any time during a course of fire.
New: Dropping a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, at any time during a course of fire. Note that a competitor who, for any reason during a course of fire, safely and intentionally places the firearm on the ground or other stable object will not be disqualified provided:
10.3.3.1 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: The competitor maintains constant physical contact with the firearm, until it is placed firmly and securely on the ground or another stable object, and
10.3.3.2 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: The competitor remains within 3 feet of the firearm at all times, and
10.3.3.3 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: The provisions of Rule 10.3.2 do not occur, and
10.3.3.4 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: The firearm is in the ready condition as specified in Section 8.1, or
10.3.3.5 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: A self-loading firearm has an empty chamber, the magazine removed, and the slide/bolt locked open, or 2
10.3.3.6 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New rule
New: A revolver has the cylinder open and empty.
10.3.6 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: or pointing the muzzle of a firearm at any part of any person’s body during the course of fire. If the firearm is in a case and not in the competitor’s hands, sweeping does not apply. Reaching forward of the muzzle of a cased firearm to close the case is not a sweeping infraction, provided the competitor’s hands are completely clear of the firearm itself.
New: Sweeping or pointing the muzzle of a firearm at any part of any person’s body during the course of fire. If the firearm is in a case and not in the competitor’s hands, sweeping does not apply. Reaching forward of the muzzle of a cased firearm to open or close the case is not a sweeping infraction, provided the competitor’s hands are completely clear of the firearm itself.
11.3 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: A request for arbitration must be accompanied by a $100 cash fee. If the protest is decided in favor of the competitor, the fee will be returned to the competitor, and the paperwork submitted to the USPSA/ main office. If the protest is denied (the original competitive decision is upheld), the fee and arbitration paperwork will be forwarded to the USPSA/NROI main office.
New: A request for arbitration must be accompanied by a $100 cash fee. If the protest is decided in favor of the competitor, the fee will be returned to the competitor, and the paperwork submitted to the USPSA/NROI main office. If the protest is denied (the original competitive decision is upheld), the fee will be retained by the match, and arbitration paperwork will be forwarded to the USPSA/NROI main office.
App. A3, Peak State · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New definition
New: Peak Stage Times (PSTs) are the benchmark for the Steel
Time
New: Challenge classification system, which categorizes shooters based on their performance against these times.
App A2.1 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: Category Awards table
New: Table updated with eligibility and applicable documentation information
App D10 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: Limited Optics Division (Provisional)
New: Removed Provisional from appendix title
App D11 · Approved by BOD 1/26/2026
Old: New provisional division
New: Added Rimfire Revolver Division (Provisonal) 3