Amended rules for Nats starting orders for SP/RD and FS/FD were approved at 2023 Governing Council, and will be in effect for 2024 Nats.
From 2022-23 Combined Report of Action after Governing Council (pp. 105-107):
"... amended rule 2721 would read as follows:
2721 At the U.S. Figure Skating Championships only, the starting order for the junior and championship (senior) women’s, men’s and pairs short program and junior and championship (senior) rhythm dance events will be established as follows:
A. The skaters who hold an ISU World Standing in their discipline will skate in reverse standings order of their ISU World Standings, as of the date of the draw. These skaters will skate in the last warm-up group(s).
B. The starting order for the remaining competitors will be by a closed, random draw conducted by the chief referee and chief accountant."
" ... amended Rule 2035(B) would read as follows:
2735 How to establish draw groups to determine starting order:
B. At the U.S. Figure Skating Championships only, the starting order for all singles and pairs free skate and all free dance events will be a reverse placement skating order from the result of the short program/ rhythm dance segment. For tied competitors, the skater/team with the higher technical elements score from the initial segment will skate later.
1. Women and men: The last two warm-up groups will consist of not fewer than 10 and not more than 12 competitors, with the exact number to be decided by the chief referee in consultation with the executive director prior to publishing the skate order of the short program.
2. Pairs: The last warm-up group will consist of four couples.
3. Ice dance: The last warm-up group will consist of five couples."