I'm shocked that no one has posted this yet. This info has been on usacycling.org for a few weeks now
from usacycling.org:
New cyclo-cross categories
Some of you have noticed that your license now shows a cyclo-cross (CX) category that was not there before. In addition, if you look in your membership account, you might think you have purchased an extra license. Don’t worry: You have not.
Beginning with the 2006 season, all licensees have a CX category on their license. You will not see that information until you actually purchase the 2006 license, but the information is already there. This part is the first phase of a new system where CX is a separate category and upgrade points are awarded in CX events for that category.
If you are a new racer, then your CX category will start as a 4. Just as in road and track events, you can upgrade to a 3 by earning points in CX races.
If you had a 2005 USCF or NORBA license, then you were issued a 2006 CX category when you renewed. Here’s how the categories initially translated:
USCF Road Category
NORBA XC Category
2006 CX category
5
Beginner
4
4
Sport
4
3
Expert
3
2
Semi-Pro
2
1
Pro
1
If you had both a USCF license and a NORBA license in 2005, and your USCF road and NORBA XC categories would lead to two different CX categories, the higher of those two was used for your 2006 CX category. This change was made to acknowledge the tremendous growth and specialization in cyclo-cross, and the fact that road categories are often not indicative of CX ability. Given this possible discrepancy, if you feel that your USCF road or NORBA XC category did not translate correctly to your best CX category, you may request a category change online or directly through your upgrade administrator.
USCF Cyclocross Upgrades
Guidelines and Notes by Category:
4-3: Need 20 points in any 12-month period; or experience in 25 qualifying races with a minimum of 10 top-ten finishes. 30 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade.
3-2: Need 25 points in any 12-month period.40 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade.
2-1: Need 25 points in any 12-month period. 40 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade.
Qualifying races for each category:
Category
Class
Duration
Field
Points Awarded
4-3
Men
Women
Junior
30 min
30 min
30 min
20
10
10
10-7-5-4-3-2-1
7-5-3-2-1
7-5-3-2-1
3-2
Men
Women
40 min
30 min
30
20
10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
10-7-5-4-3-2-1
2-1
Men
Women
60 min
40 min
30
20
10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
10-7-5-4-3-2-1
USA Cycling may add additional requirements for
from usacycling.org:
New cyclo-cross categories
Some of you have noticed that your license now shows a cyclo-cross (CX) category that was not there before. In addition, if you look in your membership account, you might think you have purchased an extra license. Don’t worry: You have not.
Beginning with the 2006 season, all licensees have a CX category on their license. You will not see that information until you actually purchase the 2006 license, but the information is already there. This part is the first phase of a new system where CX is a separate category and upgrade points are awarded in CX events for that category.
If you are a new racer, then your CX category will start as a 4. Just as in road and track events, you can upgrade to a 3 by earning points in CX races.
If you had a 2005 USCF or NORBA license, then you were issued a 2006 CX category when you renewed. Here’s how the categories initially translated:
USCF Road Category
NORBA XC Category
2006 CX category
5
Beginner
4
4
Sport
4
3
Expert
3
2
Semi-Pro
2
1
Pro
1
If you had both a USCF license and a NORBA license in 2005, and your USCF road and NORBA XC categories would lead to two different CX categories, the higher of those two was used for your 2006 CX category. This change was made to acknowledge the tremendous growth and specialization in cyclo-cross, and the fact that road categories are often not indicative of CX ability. Given this possible discrepancy, if you feel that your USCF road or NORBA XC category did not translate correctly to your best CX category, you may request a category change online or directly through your upgrade administrator.
USCF Cyclocross Upgrades
Guidelines and Notes by Category:
4-3: Need 20 points in any 12-month period; or experience in 25 qualifying races with a minimum of 10 top-ten finishes. 30 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade.
3-2: Need 25 points in any 12-month period.40 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade.
2-1: Need 25 points in any 12-month period. 40 points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade.
Qualifying races for each category:
Category
Class
Duration
Field
Points Awarded
4-3
Men
Women
Junior
30 min
30 min
30 min
20
10
10
10-7-5-4-3-2-1
7-5-3-2-1
7-5-3-2-1
3-2
Men
Women
40 min
30 min
30
20
10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
10-7-5-4-3-2-1
2-1
Men
Women
60 min
40 min
30
20
10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
10-7-5-4-3-2-1
USA Cycling may add additional requirements for