Proficiency Ranks — Detailed

PF2e's proficiency system has five ranks, each adding a fixed bonus and unlocking specific capabilities.

The Five Ranks:

*Untrained skills add only your ability modifier (not level) in the standard rules. Some GMs use the variant where untrained adds level + 0.

What Each Rank Unlocks:

Untrained:

• Can attempt basic uses of the skill (Recall Knowledge, simple Athletics, basic social)
• Cannot use trained actions (no Identifying Magic with Arcana, no Picking Locks with Thievery)
• No proficiency bonus

Trained:

• Can use all trained actions for the skill
• Can take skill feats that require Trained proficiency
• Level + 2 bonus
• Most characters start Trained in 4-8 skills

Expert:

• Can take skill feats requiring Expert
• Level + 4 bonus
• Unlocks more powerful skill uses (Expert Medicine enables better Treat Wounds)
• Available from level 3+ (some classes earlier)

Master:

• Can take skill feats requiring Master
• Level + 6 bonus
• Unlocks legendary-tier prerequisites for feat chains
• Available from level 7+
• Some classes can only reach Master in certain skills

Legendary:

• Can take Legendary skill feats — the most powerful skill feats in the game
• Level + 8 bonus
• Enables superhuman feats: Battle Cry (Demoralize on initiative), Unified Theory (use Arcana for all magical traditions), Scare to Death (Demoralize can kill)
• Available from level 15+ and only for specific skills (Rogues and class-specific paths)

Skill Feat Requirements:

• Trained: level 1+ feats (Assurance, Dubious Knowledge, etc.)
• Expert: level 7+ feats (Kip Up, Terrified Retreat, etc.)
• Master: level 15+ feats (Quick Disguise, Legendary Sneak, etc.)
• Legendary: level 15+ feats (Scare to Death, Unified Theory, etc.)