Party Rental Industry Associations and Safety Resources
Starting out, or just trying to figure out who's who? Here are the trade groups, safety trainers, standards, and state ride inspectors that matter to bounce house, tent, and party rental owners, each with a quick note on what it does for you.
TL;DR Tent and event companies: start with ARA and the Tent Rental Division. Inflatable companies: look at the IOA and SIOTO training. Everyone should know ASTM F2374, sign up for CPSC recall emails, and check their state's ride and inflatable inspection rules, especially if you rent mechanical bulls or climbing walls. Details for each one below.
Trade Associations
Membership groups that run the big shows, push for the industry in front of lawmakers, and connect you with other owners.
American Rental Association (ARA)
The national association for equipment and event rental companies. It runs The ARA Show, the RentalU training courses (including Event & Tent classes), ARA Insurance, and state and local chapters.
Best for: Tent, table and chair, and general party rental companies
Tent Rental Division, Advanced Textiles Association (TRD / ATA)
The tent rental group inside the Advanced Textiles Association. It runs Tent Expo, Tent Conference and TRD Boot Camp, plus the Safe Tenting Professional certification, a staking guide and the 811 Call Before You Stake campaign.
Best for: Tent rental companies and installers
Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association (MATRA)
A long-running association for tent rental companies and tent manufacturers. It hosts The Tent Show every November, Safe Tenting certification workshops on anchoring, frame tents and pole tents, a yearly member directory, and Spanish-language crew sessions.
Best for: Tent rental companies, installers and tent makers
Inflatable Operators Association (IOA)
A nonprofit trade association for the inflatable industry, focused on safety and risk management. Members agree to follow the ASTM F2374 inflatable standard and get operator certification, employee training and the yearly IOA Inflatable Safety Conference & Amusement Expo.
Best for: Bounce house and inflatable rental companies
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)
The global association for the attractions industry. It covers parks, water parks and family entertainment centers, and runs IAAPA Expo (Nov 16 to 20, 2026, in Orlando).
Best for: Rental companies with a fun center, soft play, or big attraction pieces
Safety Training and Certification
Courses your crew can take, and certificates you can show customers, schools, and your insurance agent.
SIOTO
Online, self-paced safety training for inflatable operators: basic and advanced inflatable safety, soft play and bubble house courses, and Spanish-language classes. Passing earns a one-year certification and a safety seal for your website. SIOTO says insurers recognize its certificates.
Best for: Bounce house owners and their setup crews
Safe Tenting
The Safe Tenting Standard, backed by tent makers and the tent rental industry and offered through ARA. It has staking and ballast guides, a ground testing tool, crew certifications, and online and hands-on tent installation courses.
Best for: Tent crews and crew chiefs
National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO)
Certifies amusement ride inspectors and operators, with Level I and II inspector testing online and a yearly safety seminar.
Best for: Owners who rent mechanical bulls, climbing walls or other rides, or inspect their own inflatables
AIMS International (AIMS)
Safety education and certification for the amusement industry, including ride inspector and operations technician certifications. Its main event is the AIMS International Safety Seminar in Orlando each January.
Best for: Owners who rent mechanical rides or train staff on ride safety
Safety Standards and Recalls
The rulebook inflatables are built and run to, and where to check whether something you own has been recalled.
ASTM F2374: Inflatable Amusement Devices (ASTM F2374)
The industry standard practice for the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of inflatable amusement devices. IOA members agree to follow it. The current version is F2374-24.
Best for: Every inflatable rental company
ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices (ASTM F24)
The ASTM committee that writes and updates the standards for amusement rides and devices. Its page explains how to become a member and take part.
Best for: Owners who want to follow, or help shape, the standards
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls (CPSC)
The federal list of product recalls and safety warnings, searchable by product and hazard, with free recall email alerts. You can report an unsafe product at SaferProducts.gov.
Best for: Anyone buying tables, chairs, heaters, generators or play equipment
Trade Publications
Where industry news breaks first. We read both every morning.
InTents magazine (InTents)
The tent and event rental magazine from the Advanced Textiles Association. It covers installs, safety, warehouse and fleet tips, product news, and company acquisitions.
Best for: Tent and event rental companies
Rental Management
ARA's news site. Most of it covers equipment rental, but its Events & Tenting section covers tents, tables and chairs, linens, inflatables and more.
Best for: Anyone who wants ARA news and ARA Show updates
State Ride and Inflatable Inspection Programs
Many states inspect amusement rides, which can include the mechanical bulls, climbing walls, and other big attractions party rental companies carry. Some also treat inflatables as rides. Each listing shows what we confirmed on the state's own page. Rules change and cities and counties can add their own, so always check with your state before the season starts.
Arkansas Arkansas Department of Labor and LicensingRides + inflatables
Amusement ride and attraction safety
Inflatables must be inspected every 6 months, and each one needs $1 million per occurrence liability insurance.
California Department of Industrial Relations, Cal/OSHA Amusement Ride SectionInflatables exempt
Portable ride owner guide
Portable rides follow the state amusement ride rules, but the state lists inflatable bounce houses under permits not needed. Your city or county may still have rules.
Colorado Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public SafetyRides
Amusement Rides and Devices Program
Ride operators must register, get a yearly third-party inspection filed with the state, and carry liability insurance. The page doesn't say whether inflatables are included.
Florida Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesRides
Fair Rides Inspection
Temporary rides need a permit each time they're set up at a new location, with insurance on file. The page doesn't say whether inflatables are included.
Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety FireRides
Amusements & Rides
Ride permits are handled through the state's online permit portal. The page doesn't say whether inflatables are included.
Kansas Kansas Department of Labor, Division of Industrial Safety and HealthRides + inflatables
Amusement Ride Services
Inflatables count as amusement rides. Owners register their business and each ride, renew a ride permit every year, and need a certificate from a qualified inspector (NAARSO or AIMS certified counts) plus $1 million per occurrence insurance for for-profit companies.
Kentucky Kentucky Department of AgricultureRides
Division of Regulation and Inspection
Mobile ride operators file a yearly itinerary 14 days before operating and must have insurance on file. The page doesn't say whether inflatables are included.
Louisiana Louisiana Office of State Fire MarshalRides + inflatables
Amusements (rides, attractions and inflatables)
Inflatables are covered. Each one must be registered before use and renewed every year, with a registration plate on the unit, a yearly inspection by a licensed third-party inspector, a set-up inspection before each event, and liability insurance. Louisiana updated this law in 2026, so check the latest rules.
Maryland Maryland Department of LaborRides + inflatables
Amusement Attraction Safety Inspection Program
Attractions must be registered and inspected, with a certificate of inspection, before they operate. Maryland has been updating its inflatable rules in 2026, so check the latest version.
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and InspectionsRides + inflatables
Inflatable amusement device licensing
Backyard inflatable vendors need a license, $1 million per occurrence insurance, an inspection, a certified inflatable mechanic, and a background check on the owner.
Michigan Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction CodesRides
Ski-Amusement Section
Rides need a permit to operate and a yearly inspection. The page doesn't say whether inflatables are included.
New Jersey NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and StandardsRides + inflatables
Carnival and Amusement Ride Safety Program
Inflatable rides need type certification and a yearly permit with an inspection. Apply at least 30 days ahead, with $1 million per occurrence insurance.
New York New York State Department of LaborRides
Amusement Device Permitting
Each amusement device needs a yearly permit filed at least 10 days before first use, with $1 million liability insurance plus workers' comp and disability coverage. The page doesn't say whether inflatables are included.
North Carolina NC Department of Labor, Elevator and Amusement Device BureauInflatables exempt
Amusement device program
The Bureau still regulates amusement devices, but a 2023 law took inflatables out of the definition and the state no longer inspects them.
Ohio Ohio Department of AgricultureRides
Division of Amusement Ride Safety
Ohio runs a statewide amusement ride safety program. Check with the division for what applies to your rides and inflatables.
Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of LaborRides + inflatables
Amusement Ride Program: inflatable amusement devices
Every inflatable used commercially or in public must be registered each year, pass an inspection by a certified ODOL inspector before it gets a sticker, and be covered by liability insurance.
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of AgricultureRides + inflatables
Division of Amusement Rides and Attractions
The owner and each inflatable must be registered, with inspection affidavits from a PA certified inspector (monthly for backyard rentals, per event for public events) and insurance on file.
Tennessee Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentRides + inflatables
Amusement Device Unit
Bounce houses are regulated. You need an operating permit before you operate, with $1 million per occurrence insurance and a recent annual inspection report.
Texas Texas Department of InsuranceRides + inflatables
Amusement Rides Program
Bounce houses and inflatable slides count as amusement rides: yearly inspection, $1 million per occurrence insurance, a TDI sticker on each ride, and quarterly injury reports.
Washington Washington State Department of Labor & IndustriesRides + inflatables
Amusement Ride Safety, Permits & Inspections
Each inflatable needs a yearly inspection, $1 million per occurrence insurance, and a yearly decal posted where the public can see it.
Don't see your state? It may not have a statewide program, or we haven't confirmed it yet. Send us a tip and we'll look into it.
Common Questions
What associations should a party rental company join?
Tent, table and chair companies usually start with the American Rental Association (ARA) and the Tent Rental Division of the Advanced Textiles Association. Bounce house and inflatable companies look at the Inflatable Operators Association (IOA). Companies with a fun center or soft play area often add IAAPA.
Do I need certification to rent bounce houses?
It depends on your state. Some states inspect or register inflatables like amusement rides, and some leave it to cities, counties, or nobody at all. Even where the law is quiet, schools, cities, and insurers may ask for proof of training. SIOTO and IOA both offer operator training and certificates.
Do mechanical bulls and climbing walls need state inspections?
In many states, yes. Mechanical bulls, climbing walls, and similar attractions usually count as amusement rides, and states with ride programs often require a permit, a yearly inspection, and liability insurance. Check the state programs on this page and call your state before the season starts.
What is the safety standard for inflatable bounce houses?
ASTM F2374, the Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Operation, and Maintenance of Inflatable Amusement Devices. The current version is F2374-24. It is written by ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices.
Where can I learn to install tents safely?
Safe Tenting (offered through ARA) has online and hands-on tent installation courses and crew certifications. The Tent Rental Division runs TRD Boot Camp and the Safe Tenting Professional certification.
How do I find out if something I rent has been recalled?
Search the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall list at cpsc.gov/Recalls and sign up for its free recall emails. We also post any recall that affects party rental gear in our Safety & Regulation news.
How We Pick What's Listed
What's here: associations, safety trainers, standards groups, government agencies, and trade press that serve party and event rental owners.
What's not: software, suppliers, manufacturers, and marketing agencies. Nobody pays to be on this page.
How we check: we read each organization's own website before adding it. Last checked . Spot a dead link or a group we missed? Let us know.
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