How to Check if Your Pickleball Paddle is USAP and UPA-A Certified
As a passionate pickleball player, understanding paddle certification is crucial for tournament eligibility and fair play. With the sport's rapid growth, two main organizations now certify paddles for professional and sanctioned tournament use: USA Pickleball (USAP) and the United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A). Let's dive into how you can verify if your paddle meets these certification standards.
Understanding the Two Certification Systems
USA Pickleball (USAP) Certification
USAP remains the original and primary governing body for pickleball in the United States. Their certification process ensures paddles meet specific standards for size, weight, surface texture, and performance characteristics. Since 2010, USAP has tested over 5,000 paddles, maintaining rigorous standards for fair competition.
UPA-A Certification
The United Pickleball Association of America emerged as a new certification body specifically for professional-level competition, including PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball events. Starting September 1, 2025, all paddles used at professional UPA events will require UPA-A certification.
How to Check USAP Certification
Online Verification
The most reliable way to verify USAP certification is through their official database:
- Visit equipment.usapickleball.org
- Navigate to the "Approved Paddle List"
- Search by manufacturer name or model number
- Look for your paddle's specific model and thickness variation
This database contains over 2,500 certified paddles and is regularly updated[2]. Each paddle listing includes the certification date and specific model details.
Physical Certification Marks
Legitimate USAP-approved paddles must display:
- USA Pickleball Approved seal or text treatment
- Clearly marked brand and model name/number
- Manufacturer's name or logo
Warning: Some manufacturers falsely display USAP logos on non-certified paddles. Always verify through the official database regardless of what markings appear on the paddle.
How to Check UPA-A Certification
Official Lists
UPA-A maintains separate approved paddle lists:
- Provisional Approval List: Paddles with temporary approval for professional events
- Full Certification List: Paddles with complete UPA-A certification
Both lists are available at upaa.unitedpickleball.com/approved-paddles/
Certification Timeline
- Through March 31, 2025: Provisional or Interim Certification acceptable
- April 1, 2025: Full UPA-A Certification required for professional events
- September 1, 2025: UPA-A Certification mandatory for all professional UPA events
What Happens at Tournaments
Pre-Match Inspection
At USAP-sanctioned tournaments, referees perform mandatory paddle checks:
- Verify paddle appears on approved list
- Inspect for USAP certification mark
- Check paddle surface for damage, delamination, or illegal modifications
- Ensure paddle dimensions comply with regulations
On-Site Testing
Professional events now include sophisticated testing:
- Surface roughness testing to measure spin capability
- Deflection tests to check for "trampoline effect"
- Ultrasonic bond testing to detect internal delamination
- PBCoR testing to measure power output
Key Differences Between Systems
| Feature | USAP | UPA-A |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | All sanctioned tournaments | Professional events only |
| Testing Focus | General compliance | Power, spin, durability |
| Cost | $4,000 per paddle | $2,000 per paddle + $20,000 annual brand fee |
| Required For | Tournament play | Pro competitions (PPA/MLP) |
Common Certification Issues
Fake Approvals
Be aware of paddles displaying false certification marks. Many manufacturers, especially on e-commerce platforms, incorrectly show USAP logos without actual certification. Always verify through official databases.
Paddle Bans
Both organizations regularly update their approved lists. Recently, USAP delisted several high-power paddles due to new PBCoR testing standards:
- JOOLA Perseus models
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated
- Multiple ProKennex Black Ace models
These paddles remain legal until July 1, 2025, after which they cannot be used in sanctioned tournaments.
For Malaysian Players
While USAP certification isn't mandatory for recreational play in Malaysia, having a certified paddle ensures you're ready for any sanctioned tournament or league that adopts international standards. As Malaysia's pickleball community grows, more events may require certified equipment (sometimes both certification).
Bottom Line
Whether you're a recreational player or tournament competitor, knowing your paddle's certification status is essential. For casual play, certification may not matter, but for any sanctioned competition, using an approved paddle is mandatory. Always verify certification through official databases rather than relying solely on paddle markings.
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Official Certification Sources:
- USAP Approved Paddle Database: equipment.usapickleball.org
- UPA-A Approved Paddles: upaa.unitedpickleball.com/approved-paddles/
Sources [1] Approved Pickleball Paddle List https://equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list/ [2] USA Pickleball Approved Pickleball Paddles And Balls https://equipment.usapickleball.org [3] Approved Paddles - UPA-A https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/approved-paddles/