Frequently Asked Questions

Membership

• How do I get a USA Powerlifting membership?
  • You can sign up for a USA Powerlifting membership by going to the Membership Application page.  From this page, you can also renew and update your membership information.
• When does my membership expire?
  • All memberships expire on 12/31 of the year you purchase it.   If you purchase your membership on or after Nov 1, your membership will expire the following calendar year.
• I never received my membership card.  What do I do?
  • You can look it up and receive a copy at any time!  Go to the Membership Card Lookup.   You will need to make sure you use the email you signed up with when looking it up.
• Should I sign up for a High School Seasonal membership?
  • You can lift in a High School ONLY local level competition if you sign up for this membership.  If you want to lift in any other local competitions (ie, your State Championships), you will need to update to a Full High School and/or Teen Membership.  If you plan to lift in other competitions throughout the year, we encourage you to purchase our Full Year membership.

Rules

• Where can I find the rules and lifting standards for USA Powerlifting?
  • The rules governing all USA Powerlifting-sanctioned meets can be found in the USA Powerlifting Rulebook.
• Where can I find the list of approved equipment?
  •  USA Powerlifting personal equipment rules can be found in the USA Powerlifting Rulebook (PDF).

Meets and Records

• How do I find a meet?
  • For upcoming meets in Maryland can be found under the Meets tab at the top of the page or by going  here.  For local meets in nearby states and regional or national level meets, go to the USA Powerlifting Calendar.
• Where do I find meet results?
  • Results for Maryland meets can be found under the Meets tab at the top of the page or by going here.  For meet results outside of Maryland and lifter rankings, go here.
• Where can I find State and National Records?
  • Information on current Maryland State and National Records can be found on the State Records tab at the top of this page or by going here.
• How do I submit my State Record?
  • You can submit your State Record by clicking on the State Records tab at the top of the page or by going here.
• How do I qualify for Regionals?
  • To qualify for Regionals, a lifter much have a total in a USA Powerlifting-sanctioned meet.  More information on Regionals can be found here.
• How do I qualify for Nationals?
  • To qualify for a National Meet a lifter must weigh in within the weight class limits and achieve a minimum qualifying total  for that weight class. A lifter will be qualified for each weight class above the one in which they compete provided they achieve the necessary total for that class. The Qualifying Total must be achieved in a USA Powerlifting-sanctioned meet on or after January 1 of the year before the year in which the National Meet is being held. This includes all USA Powerlifting National Meets. For example, if a lifter achieved a qualifying total in February 2017, they are qualified for Nationals in 2017 and 2018.  Qualifying totals can be found here.

Drugs and Supplements

• Can I take this drug or supplement?
  • Each athlete is responsible for what they consume.  Not every supplement lists all their ingredients, therefore it is consumer beware.  You can do some research on the individual ingredients by going to The WADA Banned Substance List is available at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency website.  You can also check the status (banned or not) of drugs and supplements on the Global DRO website or app.
• I’ve been prescribed a drug that requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).  What do I do now?
  • Any athlete who is using a substance listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Banned Substance List to treat a medical condition that has been diagnosed and documented by a medical doctor must declare that use to USA Powerlifting.  The athlete must submit the Therapeutic Use Exemptions(TUE) form with information, detailed below which describes the medical condition and the treatment required, to the USA Powerlifting TUE Committee not less than sixty (60) days prior to the intended competition.  More information on the TUE process can be found here.

Don’t see your questions here?  Submit your questions and we’ll get back to you with answers.