United States Parachute Association

The United States Parachute Association is a private sports governing body for the sport of skydiving in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The USPA's roots go back to the National Parachute Riggers-Jumpers, Inc., which was formed in the 1930s.

Functions

USPA performs the following functions:

Issues sport skydiving licenses
Publishes and maintains skydiving training manuals and course guidelines from which instructional ratings are issued
Serves as legal advocate and political lobbyist for skydiving
Provides third-party insurance for skydivers
Maintains the Basic Safety Requirements as a set of voluntarily followed safety guidelines
Coordinates skydiving competitions and awards
Issues awards for longevity, skill and achievement
Publishes Parachutist, a monthly magazine for members

In November 2020, USPA announced their plans for a National Skydiving Museum to be built in Central Florida, but didn't specify a timeframe for completion.