In this study, the dynamic characterization and parametric instability analysis of rotating thickness tapered laminated composite plates is performed. The governing differential equations of motion of the various plates of a rotating thickness tapered laminated composite plate are derived based on classical laminated plate theory and presented in the finite element formulation including the effects of Coriolis acceleration, the initial stress induced stiffness and the vibratory displacement dependent additional stiffness due to rotating effects and are solved using MATLAB ® software. The finite element formulation developed for dynamic characterization and instability analysis of rotating tapered laminated composite plate is validated by comparing the natural frequencies and parametric resonance frequencies evaluated using the present finite element method (FEM) with those obtained from the experimental measurements and available literature. The free vibration analysis and instability regions of the rotating thickness tapered laminated composite plates are investigated by performing various parametric studies such as the effect of taper plates, rotational speed, setting angle and uni-axial periodic static and dynamic loads. It is demonstrated that the natural frequencies, critical buckling loads and instability regions of the tapered composite plates can be altered by tailoring the various taper plates with rotating speed and setting angle. It is also shown that tapered plates are more suitable for rotating structure under dynamic environment than uniform composite plate. © 2017, Shiraz University.