The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the governing body that oversees most skydiving activities to ensure they comply with FAA regulations.

Through training, tests, performing in-air skills, and logging a certain quantities of jumps, skydivers are able to earn licenses A, B, C, and D.  The last is the highest and requires a minimum of 500 jumps.

Most jumpers typically focus one or more of the many disciplines skydiving offers.  Here is a brief description of the five most common areas of focus.

Relative Work (RW)
This involves 2 or more jumpers falling belly to earth at speeds between 115 and 135 MPH.  The goal is to build predetermined formations, also know as turning points. The world record for this is over 400 jumpers.

Freeflying (VRW)
This involves falling in a vertical orientation at speeds between 140 and 180 MPH.  The goal is to execute fluid, acrobatic moves and gripping fellow jumpers, also known as docking.  The world record for this is over 50 jumpers.

Canopy Relative Work (CRW)
This involves 2 or more canopy pilots flying parachutes very close to each other and building formations.  The goal is to build as many predetermined formations as possible.  The world record for this is 100 canopies.

High Performance Landings (Swooping)
This involves flying very small and fast parachutes aggressively to produce high speed for landing.  It is very fun to watch but also quite dangerous.  The goal is to fly faster, longer, and closer to the ground without getting hurt.  World records include speeds in excess of 75 MPH and distances of over 250 feet.

Accuracy
This involves flying very large and slow parachutes conservatively to land exactly on a predetermined spot.