USBC introduces tiered certification levels and program updates for bowling centers
May 08, 2025
LAS VEGAS – The United States Bowling Congress unveiled the new tiered certification structure for bowling centers and updates to its certification program during the 2025 USBC Convention and Annual Meeting. These changes aim to provide greater clarity, reduce costs and streamline the inspection process for centers nationwide.
Bowling centers now will be classified into one of four certification tiers based on the percentage of compliance with USBC specifications as outlined in the USBC Equipment Specifications Manual.
The certification levels are determined through inspections conducted by USBC National Lane Inspectors. Since 2023, more than 2,600 centers have been inspected, with 72% of those centers achieving the highest tier and fewer than 2% falling into the lowest category.
The certification tiers are:
All centers – regardless of the tier – are certified and eligible to host USBC-certified leagues and tournaments.
In addition to the new tiered structure, several updates to the program also will take effect in 2026. All centers will transition to a five-year cycle for inspections, compared to the initial time frame of every three years. This includes centers that fall into the Standard category, which previously required an annual inspection until achieving a score in one of the top three tiers.
As part of this change, the inspection fee will be reduced by 20% starting in 2026. The annual cost will drop to $8 per lane (previously $10 per lane). The total fee now will be $40 per lane for the five-year cycle.
The fee for centers that have not had an initial inspection still will cost $30 per lane. USBC plans to conclude its initial round of inspections for existing centers by the end of 2025.
To protect the privacy of center owners, USBC has decided not to publish tier information. A center’s certification level will not appear on BOWL.com listings or certification stickers.
However, center owners are free to share or publish their tier status if they choose to do so.
Inspections are conducted using the Automatic Certification Evaluation (ACE) tool, a state-of- the-art device that utilizes digital sensors and a precision-machined frame to measure lane topography and deliver real-time certification data. Centers inspected under the new tiered program will receive immediate notification of their certification level. Centers inspected prior to this announcement will receive updated results, including their assigned tier, directly from USBC.
Centers that have questions about the report results can email Certifications@bowl.com for clarification.
To learn more about the requirements for each tier and the center certification program, CLICK HERE.
Bowling centers now will be classified into one of four certification tiers based on the percentage of compliance with USBC specifications as outlined in the USBC Equipment Specifications Manual.
The certification levels are determined through inspections conducted by USBC National Lane Inspectors. Since 2023, more than 2,600 centers have been inspected, with 72% of those centers achieving the highest tier and fewer than 2% falling into the lowest category.
The certification tiers are:
- Gold – centers that meet at least 90% of all specifications (currently 73% of inspected centers).
- Silver – centers that meet 80-89.9% of all specifications (currently 22% of inspected centers).
- Bronze – centers that meet 70-79.9% of all specifications (currently 4% of inspected centers).
- Standard – centers that meet less than 70% of all specifications (currently 2% of inspected centers).
All centers – regardless of the tier – are certified and eligible to host USBC-certified leagues and tournaments.
In addition to the new tiered structure, several updates to the program also will take effect in 2026. All centers will transition to a five-year cycle for inspections, compared to the initial time frame of every three years. This includes centers that fall into the Standard category, which previously required an annual inspection until achieving a score in one of the top three tiers.
As part of this change, the inspection fee will be reduced by 20% starting in 2026. The annual cost will drop to $8 per lane (previously $10 per lane). The total fee now will be $40 per lane for the five-year cycle.
The fee for centers that have not had an initial inspection still will cost $30 per lane. USBC plans to conclude its initial round of inspections for existing centers by the end of 2025.
To protect the privacy of center owners, USBC has decided not to publish tier information. A center’s certification level will not appear on BOWL.com listings or certification stickers.
However, center owners are free to share or publish their tier status if they choose to do so.
Inspections are conducted using the Automatic Certification Evaluation (ACE) tool, a state-of- the-art device that utilizes digital sensors and a precision-machined frame to measure lane topography and deliver real-time certification data. Centers inspected under the new tiered program will receive immediate notification of their certification level. Centers inspected prior to this announcement will receive updated results, including their assigned tier, directly from USBC.
Centers that have questions about the report results can email Certifications@bowl.com for clarification.
To learn more about the requirements for each tier and the center certification program, CLICK HERE.