Figure Skating Championships took place between January 13 and 21, 1996 in San Jose, California.
The levels of competition were Senior, Junior, and Novice.
Medals were awarded in four colors: gold (first), silver (second), bronze (third), and pewter (fourth).
The event served to help choose the U.S. team to the 1996 World Championships.
The 1996 World Junior Championships had been held prior to the national championships and so the World Junior Championships team had been chosen at a World Juniors selection competition earlier in the year.