Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge - Now Available for Permanent Testing
Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge Certificate Artwork
Good morning u/Army,
Before I go into the main post, I want to thank u/shrimpdaddy22, u/MoeSzys, u/charlemagnebergen, and the many others that provided feedback during diagnostic testing for this new opportunity. Your work helped make this all possible.
Also, our thanks to u/Kinmuan as always for the continued support of the embassy's military skill badge program and this new opportunity in partnership with the Norwegian Sports Federation.
As of today, the Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge (NSFSB) is available for permanent, decentralized testing worldwide. For those of you familiar with the skill badges program offered through the Norwegian embassy in Washington, D.C. this is a new partnership with the Norwegian Sports Federation supported by the Norwegian embassy. Here's a summary of the key facts of this post:
- The Norwegian Sports Federation has offered decentralized testing for decades, allowing sports clubs and small groups to conduct testing at any time. Unlike the other programs, you do not have to request permission from either the Norwegian embassy or the Norwegian Sports Federation prior to conducting testing. This makes the new program the most accessible of its kind worldwide.
- The Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge is an authorized foreign award for acceptance, retention, and wear per AR 600-8-22, Table 1 as of the 11 March 2026 update (scroll down for screenshot of listing; HRC lists it as the Norwegian Sports Badge Federation Sports Badge, they accidentally listed badge twice or failed to separate its two translated names with forward slash as intended).
- Unlike other sports badges offered by the Germans (DOSB), Austrians (OSTA), Belgian (BA), and other countries' national sports authorities, the Norwegian Sports Federation does not require testing to occur under certified examiners.
- Individuals cannot self-test. Testing must occur under the supervision of an observer (no qualification required, but must understand the event standards and be familiar with any applicable techniques) for each exercise group. Testers and observers may alternate rolls to "buddy test" one another and fitness tracker data may be used for long distance and endurance events that make direct observation impractical.
- Testing requires individuals to complete a series of exercises during a single calendar year over several days, weeks, or months based on their availability and the types of events of chosen. Structurally, the NSFSB testing process is intended to be broadly accessible to individuals of all fitness levels. Individuals may opt to make their events more difficult to demonstrate superior fitness (e.g. a 25-year-old male may opt to complete 10 repetitions of the bench press at 80 kg instead of the minimum 37.5 kg for their Group 4 event). The intent of this is to make the challenge meaningful for each individual.
- Testing results will be submitted through two systems run by Norges Idrettsforbund (Norwegian Sports Federation) and the Norwegian embassy program for statistics and record keeping purposes.
- Certificates will be issued to individuals once testing data is submitted to both systems. Data is compared between the two systems and once matching records are identified, the embassy-associated US system will issue digital certificates available through a download link (PDF).
- The Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge is one of two awards accepted as part of the requirements to be awarded the Norwegian Field Sports Medal / Ribbon, which will be awarded by the embassy in late 2026 for completing different combinations of skill badges.
- The complete manual, record book, event and performance standards tables, and artwork for flyers can be downloaded via Dropbox for ease of sharing:
Dropbox Link to NSFSB Materials
NFMGuy's Super Simple Summarized Testing Process
Step 1: Read Testing Procedures for the Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge, paying close attention to Appendix A to select the events you're going to do.
Step 2: Conduct the selected exercises with a buddy grading you
Step 3: Navigate to the official webform: https://usnor.fillout.com/nsfsb
Step 4: Click through pages 1 and 2
Step 5: Click the link near the top of Page 3. The link leads to this: https://www.idrettsforbundet.no/tema/idrettsmerket/idrettsmerket-english-version/. Enter your biographical data, submit it, and return to the Fillout webform.
Step 6: Go to page 4 and submit data requested by the webform.
Step 7: Read through submission page, click the green box to download your certificate.
Step 8: Purchase badge if you want to
Step 9: Submit paperwork through an IPPS-A PAR to your S1 routing chain for local authority to approve wear.
Overview - The Norwegians Sports Federation Sports Badge
Introduction and Event History
The Norges Idrettsmerket or Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge (also called the Norwegian Sports Badge), was established in May 1915 by the Norwegian Sports Federation (NSF) and Olympic and Paralympic Committee to recognize achievement in various sports disciplines and fitness according to age and gender. While originally restricted to men, women were permitted to test for the sports badge in 1934. Today, the sports badge is awarded worldwide to men and women for demonstrate sustained fitness and skill across a variety of sports.
Attire, Facility, and Equipment Requirements
Attire for the test is at the discretion of the participants, but should be suitable for the type of events being tested.
Facilities that are dedicated to testing for the sports badge or general sports clubs are preferred, but any facility with suitable features and equipment may be used.
At least two individuals must conduct the testing, with one observer/administrator and one tester/participant. For high duration and long-distance events, the participants may use fitness applications and devices to record their activity, but it must be verified by the their testing observer/administrator. Unlike other sports badges, the administrator does not need to have previously earned the sports badge or be certified by the Norwegian Sports Federation, but must understand the events and their standards prior to testing being conducted.
The sports badge is designed to award sustained fitness and participation in sports. As such, testing is to be conducted over several days, weeks, or months, according to the preference of the administrator and availability of participants.
Participants must successfully complete the requirements for one event in each group. They may retake events until they pass or change to a different event within the same group.
All events must be completed within the same calendar year.
Event Groups
Testing for the Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge assesses individuals’ fitness according to five groups of events (see Appendix B in the full manual for complete listing of events and standards):
- Group 1 – Sustained Physical Activity
- Group 2 – Flexibility / Precision
- Group 3 – Speed
- Group 4 – Strength
- Group 5 – Endurance
For testing purposes, you complete ONE event or more from each group.
Note: Some events are not available to each age grouping and sex.
Group 1 – Sustained Physical Activity
During the calendar year, aspirants for the sports badge must complete at least 20 instances of sustained physical activity lasting at least 30 minutes. This requirement is considered automatically fulfilled for military personnel.
This exercise may be conducted individually, as a group, or as part of a sports club. Examples include, but are not limited to, cycling, swimming, dancing, hiking, skiing, running, weightlifting and participation in organized training groups.
Group 2 – Flexibility / Precision
- Standing Long Jump
- 5-Step Jump
- Running Long Jump
- Running High Jump
- Seated Precision Throwing
- Standing High Jump
Group 3 - Speed
- Sprint – 60 or 100 Meters
- Swimming – 25 Meters
- Ice Skating – 100 Meters
- Cycling – 400 Meters
- Pushing (Sled or Wheelchair) – 100 Meters
- Handball, Basketball, Soccer, or Floorball
- Speedwalking – 120 Meters
- Paddling – 200 Meters
Group 4 - Strength
- Shotput, Standing or Sitting
- Small Ball
- Hand Grenade
- Slingball
- Discus
- Chin-Up or Pull-Up
- Bench-press
- Back Squat
- Sit-Ups
- Push-Ups
- Leg Raises
Group 5 - Endurance
- Running – 1.5, 3.0, or 5.0 Kilometers
- Cycling – 10 or 20 Kilometers
- Hiking or Rucking – 5 or 10 Kilometers
- Swimming – 0.5 or 1.0 Kilometers
- Wheelchair Skating – 1.5 or 3.0 Kilometers
- Skiing – 5 or 10 Kilometers
- Stationary Bicycle – 10 or 20 Kilometers
- Rowing Machine – 5 Kilometers
- Sculling – 2 Kilometers
- 4-Person Rowing – 20 Kilometers
- Kayaking – 3, 5, or 10 Kilometers
- Cooper’s Test – 12 Min
- Roller Skating – 5 Kilometers
- Ice Skating – 3 or 5 Kilometers
- Various Long Duration or High Endurance Events (See Appendix B)
Events Standards Tables
Testing Guidelines and Process
The Norwegian Sports Badge is traditionally administered by Norwegian sports clubs and institutions associated with the Norwegian Sports Federation and Norway’s Armed Forces. Based on the popularity of the Norwegian Foot March and other skill badges awarded through the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the authority to conduct testing worldwide was granted to any member of the American uniformed and military services as of 2026.
Unlike the Norwegian Embassy’s skill badge program, which is entirely managed by representatives of the Defense Attaché Office, the sports badge program will be independently administered by the Norwegian Sports Federation and its appointed representatives in Norway and the United States.
In accordance with the Norwegian Sports Federations’ current regulations and rules, prior coordination and permission is not required to conduct testing for the sports badge. Administrators and participants are expected to familiarize themselves with the proper techniques and requirements prior to attempting a particular event to ensure safe execution.
Frequency of event testing is at the discretion of the organizer, but no more than three events should be tested during a single assessment period.
Once all testing is completed, organizers or participants must submit their results through the official webform:
QR Code for Webform Submission
URL: https://usnor.fillout.com/nsfsb
Those requesting a silver or gold badge must include a copy of their Norwegian Sports Federation Sports Badge - Record Book (Appendix A, see NSFSB manual).
Once you submit your results you'll see this splash screen:
The green box at the bottom is a link to download your automatically generated certificate.
The sports badge is awarded once per calendar year according to the following program:
- Bronze - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Award
- Silver - 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Award
- Gold - 9th Award and Higher
Photo of Badges - Bronze, Silver, and Gold - Photo Downloaded from Nord Market
Website: https://nordmarket.bigcartel.com/product/norwegian-sports-federation-sports-badge
Any questions on this program may be directed to idrettsmerket-us@pm.me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this an approved award for wear?
A: Yes, the badge is currently listed as an approved award in AR 600-8-22, Table 1, 11 MAR 2026. You can verify its listing by visiting (you'll need to be on a .mil domain to access it): https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Foreign%20Award%20Info
AR 600-8-22, Table 1 - 11 MAR 2026 Update
*Note - HRC made a typo when creating the entry and added the word "badge" twice. So far it hasn't caused an issues for those who submitted their paperwork for approval as part of diagnostic testing.
Q: Can I change the difficulty of the events?
A: Yes, the standards in the manual represent the minimums and participants are encouraged to set goals based on their individual fitness goals. The Norwegian tradition holds sport as something that should be available to everyone of any fitness level, but individuals should strive to achieve their own goals. It is at the discretion of the individual testing to attempt more difficult standards, not the observer or administrator.
Q: Are events retroactive?
A: Yes, but only for the current calendar year. Individuals can count events that were recorded by an observer or administrator during the current calendar year to date. For example, if you completed a Norwegian Foot March during this calendar year and were issued a valid certificate, you can count it toward your Group 5 requirement.