Understand the USA Gymnastics Development Program and Xcel divisions—what’s required, what changes by gym, and how to support your gymnast at every step.
Here is an overview of the different women’s gymnastics levels in the USA Gymnastics Program.
Prefer to listen to the audio of this article? Click below.
| Level/Division | Competitive? | Routine Type | Primary Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 1–3 (DP) | Varies by gym | Compulsory | Basics, shapes, safety | Often trained in rec or pre-team; some gyms compete 2–3. |
| Level 4 (DP) | Yes | Compulsory (set routines) | Execution of basics | First required competitive level. |
| Level 5 (DP) | Yes | Compulsory (set routines) | Stronger shapes/skills | Typically the final compulsory before optionals. |
| Level 6 (DP) | Yes | Optional (custom routines) | Entry optional composition | Coach builds a routine that meets event requirements. |
| Level 7 (DP) | Yes | Optional | Upgraded skills w/ form | More specific composition expectations than L6. |
| Levels 8–10 (DP) | Yes | Optional | Progressive difficulty | Level 10 is the top of DP; some pursue Elite afterward. |
| Xcel Bronze–Sapphire | Yes | Optional | Flexible pathways | Great for varied training hours & timelines. |
Want Skill Requirement Checklists for each Gymnastics Level? Click on one of the level requirement links above or below, and from those pages you will be able to download free checklists.
Gymnastics Levels 1-3:
USA Gymnastics states that they created levels 1-3 to prepare gymnasts for competition. Most gymnasts don’t compete gymnastics levels 1-3, but there are routines that you could compete at this level. Many clubs have gymnasts in recreational classes while they learn these skills. Level 3 is not a required competitive level so there are no score requirements to move to level 4. Learn more about the Level 1 Gymnastics Requirements, the Level 2 Gymnastics Requirements, and the Level 3 Gymnastics Requirements.
Gymnastics Level 4:
Level 4 is the first required competitive level. So, to advance to level 5 from level 4 the gymnast must meet minimum standards and earn a minimum “mobility score.” Level 4 is a compulsory level. This means that to compete this level, the gymnast must learn a specific routine for each event. At level 4 meets, a gymnast is judged based on how well she does the skill, in addition to how well she performs the routine exactly how it is supposed to be done. Learn more about the Level 4 Gymnastics Requirements.
Gymnastics Level 5:
Level 5 is also a compulsory level. Some gymnastics clubs choose not to stress compulsory gymnastics, and in general don’t compete in compulsory meets. Instead some clubs might choose to compete using the Xcel program. These are optional rules that can be used while the gymnast is learning levels 4-6 skills. However, before gymnasts compete in level 6, they must compete in at least one meet to pass levels 4 and 5. Learn more about the Level 5 Gymnastics Requirements.
Xcel in one minute:
- Flexible path that runs alongside DP—custom routines at every division.
- Great fit for fewer weekly hours, later starters, or cross-training seasons.
- Divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Sapphire.
Xcel Program
The Xcel Program is a new national program this year (some states have been using it for several years, but it has just become nationally run with national rules) that runs alongside the USA Gymnastics Development Program (DP). It is a separate, alternate program. You don’t need to score out of any of the DP levels in order to compete in the Xcel program, and it cannot be used to skip any of the DP levels. The Xcel program is optional in nature (head over here to learn the difference between compulsory and optional). So, some gyms are choosing to compete and train the Xcel program instead of the compulsory levels. Then they have the gymnasts mobilize out of the compulsory levels before competing in the DP Level 6 entry Optional level. (To mobilize means to compete the level at a meet with the only intent of getting a passing score to move to the next level. While gyms can choose to not actively train the DP Compulsory levels, gymnasts still need to earn a passing score before moving to the next level.) The Xcel Program is composed of divisions instead of levels. The Xcel program also has scores that the gymnasts need to earn before being able to advance, but in addition DP scores can be used for entry into an Xcel program division.
Xcel Program Divisions:
Bronze: The minimum age requirement for the Bronze division is 5 years old. (This means the gymnast must be 5 before she competes in her first meet.) The Bronze division is similar in skill requirements to the DP’s levels 1-2. Here is more information on the bronze routine requirements.
Silver: The minimum age requirement for the Silver division is 6 years old. (This means the gymnast must be 6 before she competes in her first meet.) The silver division is similar in skill requirements to the DP’s level 3. Here is more information on the silver routine requirements.
Gold: The minimum age requirement for the Gold division is 7 years old. (This means the gymnast must be 7 before she competes in her first meet.) The silver division is similar in skill requirements to the DP’s level 4. The gymnast must score a 31 AA in Gold before advancing to the Platinum level or an 8.0 on an individual event to move forward as an Individual Event Specialist (IES). Here is more information on the gold routine requirements.
Platinum: The minimum age requirement for the Platinum division is 8 years old. (This means the gymnast must be 8 before she competes in her first meet.) The platinum division is similar in skill requirements to the DP’s level 4-5. The gymnast must score a 31 AA in Platinum before advancing to the Diamond level or an 8.0 on an individual event to move forward as an Individual Event Specialist (IES). Here is more information on the platinum routine requirements.
Diamond: The minimum age requirement for the Diamond division is 9 years old. (This means the gymnast must be 9 before she competes in her first meet.) The diamond division is similar in skill requirements to the DP’s levels 6-7. Here is more information on the diamond routine requirements.
Sapphire : The minimum age requirement for the Sapphire division is 12 years old. (This means the gymnast must be 12 before she competes her first meet.) The gymnast must have earned a score of 34 AA in Diamond OR is a former DP L8-10 to be eligible to compete in the sapphire level. The sapphire division is similar in skill requirements to the DP’s levels 8-10. Here is more information on the sapphire routine requirements.
Gymnastics Level 6:
Level 6 is the entry level for optional competition. Optional levels are levels where each gymnast has a different routine, so they aren’t judged on the specifics of the routine. They are instead judged based on the skills they perform and the overall level and performance of the routine. Optional levels have routine requirements for each event, so when the coach or choreographer is choreographing the routine, they will need to include these requirements or the gymnast will earn deductions. The emphasis in level 6 is on execution of basic optional skills. See the Level 6 Gymnastics Requirements. Level 6 is the only gymnastics level that may be skipped with a qualifying level 5 score.
Gymnastics Level 7:
Level 7 is a mix of both compulsory and optional. In level 7, it is a mix of compulsory and optional because the requirements are more specific but each gymnast still has a unique routine. The requirements are more specific in that, for example, instead of on floor saying that one of the tumbling passes needs a salto element, in level 7 the rules state that the gymnast must perform a back layout in one of her passes. Here are the Level 7 Gymnastics Requirements.
Gymnastics Levels 8-10:
Gymnastics levels 8-10 are optional levels. Each gymnast has a unique routine on each event, and she chooses which skills to use to fulfill the requirements. Here are the Level 8 Gymnastics Requirements. The requirements for Level 9 get more complex. Here are the Level 9 Gymnastics Requirements. Level 10 is the last level in the Development Program. Here are the Level 10 Gymnastics Requirements. Once a gymnast can perform all the skills required at level 10 she may choose to try out for the Elite program. I hope the gymnastics levels make more sense now! If you’re interested in how the gymnastics levels are scored, check out Gymnastics Scoring: 10 Minute Guide to How it Works.
Elite Level Gymnastics
The Elite program is similar to going “Pro” in other sports, because once in the Elite level a gymnast can compete in Olympic Trials or other professional events. Gymnasts can get to the elite program by going through the Junior Olympic levels 1-10 or by competing in the TOPS program. The TOPS program is how most Olympic gymnasts get to the Elite level, and how they get there at such a young age!
After you’ve determined your gymnast’s level, be sure to check out our Home Gymnastics Equipment guide, and Grip Guide to get her the essentials she needs for gymnastics classes!
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What’s the difference between DP and Xcel? DP follows a more standardized, progressive path (compulsory → optional). Xcel is optional from the start, with flexible composition and divisions to match training hours and timelines.
-
Can gymnasts skip levels? Some gyms allow mobility based on meeting requirements; policies vary by gym and season. Many athletes “score out” of a level rather than doing a full competitive season at that level.
-
What age do you start competing? Gyms set their own timelines; most focus on strong basics first. Xcel offers earlier competitive experiences for many families.
-
How do you move up? Your coach assesses safety, execution, consistency, and readiness for the next level’s requirements; some gyms use qualifying/mobility scores at meets.
-
Is Xcel easier than DP? It’s not about easier vs harder—Xcel is more flexible. Upper Xcel divisions (Diamond/Sapphire) can be quite advanced.
-
What should parents focus on at any level? Consistency, form, safe progressions, sleep/fuel, and supportive mindset > chasing fast promotions.
