Belt Ranks & Requirements




Rank: Ju-Kyu
Belt Color: White
Time in Training: Everyone Starts Here

White Belt is the starting point for all students. The rank “Ju-Kyu” means 10th grade. All students move their way through the Kyu ranks. Everyone starts at the Bottom.



Rank: Ku-Kyu
Belt Color: White with a green stripe
Time in Training: About a month

Requirements: A student must be able to perform all 15 upper body basics out of order and have started learning Seisan Kata. The ability to perform the first four kicks is also required.

There is no formal test for this rank.




Rank: Hachi-Kyu
Belt Color: Yellow
Time in Training: Minimum two months (average is three)

Requirements: Performance of the 15 upper body basics and four basic kicks is required. Basic knowledge of rolls and falls will also be tested. Test candidate must also be able to perform Seisan Kata as well as participate in five minutes of free sparring. There will also be a history test on this, and every other examination.




Rank: Shichi-Kyu
Belt Color: Orange
Time in Training: A minimum of two months since promotion to Yellow Belt.

Requirements: All of the Yellow Belt requirements PLUS Seiuchin kata, all nine basic kicks and a more intense history examination. 7-10 minutes of kumite (sparring) will also be required.




Rank: Rok-Kyu
Belt Color: Blue
Time in Training: A minimum of two months since promotion to Orange Belt.

Requirements: All of the orange belt requirements along with Naihanchi kata, a more intense history test as well as a longer kumite session.




Rank: Go-Kyu
Belt Color: Green
Time in Training: A minimum of four months since promotion to Blue Belt

Requirements: All of the blue belt requirements as well as Wansu Kata, a more intense history test and longer kumite session. In the adult class, Kyan No Sai is a requirement for this rank as well.

Moreover, a green belt should be comfortable leading a new students in learning the fifteen upper body basics as well as leading them in the instruction of Seisan Kata.




Rank: Yon-Kyu
Belt Color: Purple
Time in Training: A minimum of six months since promotion to Green Belt

Requirements: All of the green belt requirements as well as Chinto Kata, Tokumine No Kun, a more intense history test and longer kumite session.

Purple Belt candidates should be comfortable leading small groups in a variety of activities.




Rank: San-Kyu
Belt Color: Brown
Time in Training: A minimum of six months since promotion to Purple Belt

Requirements: All of the green belt requirements as well as Kusanku Kata, a more intense history test and longer kumite session.

Brown Belts should start feeling comfortable leading the entire class in basic exercises. A student up for this rank should feel comfortable teaching most anything to any low ranking student.


Rank: Ni-Kyu
Belt Color: Brown with one black stripe
Time in Training: A minimum of three months since promotion to Brown Belt

Requirements: The completion of Kusanku Sai and Sanchin Kata are required for promotion to this rank.

A student at this rank should feel comfortable leading the class for extended periods of time with little or no supervision from a black belt. Individual instruction of lower ranking students should be second nature by this time.

There is no formal test for this rank.


Rank: Ik-Kyu
Belt Color: Brown with two black stripes
Time in Training: A minimum of three months since promotion to Ni-Kyu

Requirements: The completion of Sunsu Kata is required for promotion to this rank.

At this point a student should be toning up for black belt and should basically be able to lead class from start to finish with little or no supervision from a black belt. General instruction of all kinds should be second nature at this point.

There is no formal test for this rank.




Rank: Sho-dan
Belt Color: Black
Time in Training: A minimum of one year since promotion to brown belt. Must be 15 years of age. (Rank of Junior Black Belt is awarded for candidates under 15.)

Requirements: All eight open hand katas, three weapons, rolls, falls and an extremely intensive history examination are required for promotion to black belt. Kumite session may last a half an hour or more. Bunkai for katas should be well understood and the candidate should truly be ready for anything.

A candidate for black belt should be a leader capable of taking over in the chief instructors absence.