You Can Compete in Figure Skating at Any Age or Level!

Before December 1st, 2022, you must have passed the equivalent singles free skate test to enter that level in competition. So, if you wanted to skate in intermediate, you would've had to pass the intermediate free skate test. That will continue to be the case. 

There's still a test prerequisite!

What has changed is that now, that same skater could skate down to novice if they have not entered an official series with an EMS registration at the intermediate level. That same skater could also skate up one level to junior, just like they've always been able to.

However, let's suppose that same skater were to enter an official series through EMS at the junior level - that level will become their competitive floor - the lowest level they can compete at for all future competitions as they move forward. 

The big news is the same skater may also accelerate their test level by passing junior, for example, and continue to compete at intermediate. That same skater could even take their senior, or what will be called their gold singles test, and still continue to compete at intermediate.

Think of it this way: you can take your senior moves in the field or what is now gold skating skills and still compete at pre-preliminary because the moves or skating skills test has no bearing on your competitive level. So, what US Figure Skating has done is similar with singles free skate tests. They're using the same method in how singles free skate tests relate to the competition level.