USPSARules2026-03

Overview Glossary Divisions Change Log

Chapters

1Course Design

1.1General Principles 1.2Types of Courses 1.3USPSA Sanctioning

2Course Construction and Modification

2.1General Regulations 2.2Course Construction Criteria 2.3Modifications to Course Construction 2.4Safety Areas 2.5Unloading/Loading Station 2.6Uncasing/Casing Areas

3Course Information

3.1General Regulations 3.2Written Stage Briefings 3.3Applicability of Rules

4Range Equipment

4.1Targets – General Principles 4.2Approved Targets – Cardboard 4.3Approved Targets – Metal 4.4Frangible and Synthetic Targets 4.5Rearrangement of Range Equipment or Surface 4.6Range Equipment Failure and Other Issues

5Competitor Equipment

5.1Firearms 5.2Holsters and Other Competitor Equipment 5.3Appropriate Dress 5.4Eye and Hearing Protection 5.5Ammunition and Related Equipment 5.6Chronograph and Power Factors 5.7Malfunctions – Competitor’s Equipment 5.8Certified Ammunition

6Match Structure

6.1General Principles 6.2Match Divisions 6.3Match Categories 6.4Competitor Status and Credentials 6.5Competitor Scheduling and Squadding

7Match Management

7.1Match Officials 7.2Discipline of Match Officials 7.3Appointment of Officials

8The Course of Fire

8.1Firearm Ready Conditions 8.2Competitor Ready Condition 8.3Range Communication 8.4Loading, Reloading or Unloading During a Course of Fire 8.5Movement 8.6Assistance or Interference 8.7Sight Pictures and Range Inspection

9Scoring

9.1General Regulations 9.2Scoring Methods 9.3Scoring Ties 9.4Scoring and Penalty Values 9.5Scoring Policy 9.6Score Verification and Challenge 9.7Score Sheets 9.8Scoring Responsibility 9.9Scoring of Activated Targets 9.10Official Time 9.11Scoring Programs

10Penalties

10.1Procedural Penalties – General Regulations 10.2Procedural Penalties – Specific Examples 10.3Match Disqualification – General Regulations 10.4Match Disqualification – Accidental Discharge 10.5Match Disqualification – Unsafe Gun Handling 10.6Match Disqualification – Unsportsmanlike Conduct 10.7Match Disqualification – Impairment

11Arbitration & Interpretation of Rules

11.1General Principles 11.2Composition of Committee 11.3Time Limits and Sequences 11.4Fees 11.5Rules of Procedure 11.6Verdict and Subsequent Action 11.7Third Party Appeals 11.8Interpretation of Rules

12Miscellaneous Matters

12.1Appendices 12.2Language 12.3Disclaimers 12.4Gender 12.5Measurements

Appendices

A1USPSA Match Levels A2USPSA Recognition A3Glossary B1USPSA and IPSC Cardboard Targets B2Popper Calibration Zones and Dimensions B3Metal Plates C1Calibration of Poppers C2Chronograph C3Certified Ammunition D1Open Division D2Limited Division D3Limited-10 Division D4Production Division D5Single-Stack Division D6Revolver Division D7Carry Optics Division D8Pistol Caliber Carbine Division D9Limited Optics Division E1Magazine Measurement F1Vendor Area ✎NOTES – Scoring Targets

Chapter 12 · Miscellaneous Matters · p.75

12.1Appendices

All Appendices included herein are an integral part of these rules

11.8Interpretation of Rules Language12.2

© 2026 United States Practical Shooting Association. All rights reserved.

Reproduced under authority of USPSA · National Range Officers Institute