Regular
Most students will register in this category according to their level of study (e.g., Russian I students in Level I, etc.). These are students whose knowledge of Russian was acquired in a United States classroom, more or less exclusively.

Heritage Learners
Heritage Learners are students who arrived in the United States prior to and including age 10, from countries where Russian is a required language in school or is spoken by a sizable portion of the population. The Heritage Learners will compete in their own separate category.
For the purposes of the competition, Heritage Learners should be registered one level higher than his or her level of study (i.e. first-year students register as second-year, etc.)

Native Speakers
This category is for students who arrived in the United States after the age of 10 from countries where Russian is a required language or is spoken by a sizable portion of the population. 

In cases where a student’s category is not self-evident, sponsors should consult with the state/regional coordinators. The ultimate decision as to the proper classification of such students rests with the state/regional coordinators. Teachers are urged to distinguish carefully between heritage learners and native speakers.

REGISTRATION
Teachers should register students directly with their state/regional coordinators, using the format designated and within the deadline established by them.

For all students the registration fee is $6.00. All teachers or adults who sponsor and chaperone students must be members of ACTR for the current year (renew or enter a new membership now).
State/Regional coordinators shall be responsible for verifying the membership status of teachers participating in their Olympiada.