Below is the minimum required training time for each rank based on consistant training twice weekly.
Rank | Consecutive Training |
8TH KYU (Yellow Belt) | ~6 months |
7TH KYU (Orange Belt) | ~6 months |
6TH KYU (Green Belt) | ~6 months |
5TH KYU (Purple Belt) | ~9 months |
4TH KYU (Purple Belt) | ~9 months |
3RD KYU (Brown Belt) | ~9 months |
2ND KYU (Brown Belt) | ~9 months |
1ST KYU (Brown Belt) | ~9 months |
SHODAN (1st Degree Black Belt) | ~9-12 months |
NIDAN (2nd Degree Black Belt) | ~2 years (after 1st Dan) |
SANDAN (3rd Degree Black Belt) | ~3 years (after 2nd Dan) |
YONDAN (4th Degree Black Belt) | ~4 years (after 3rd Dan) |
Examinations are designed to test student's skill levels. An exam will indiciate if students can apply what they've learned.
Those students who can fully demonstrate the requirements will be eligible to examine.
Regular attendance, technical skill, effort in class, positive attitude & spirit, and respect towards instructors and fellow students are also factors taken into consideration when deciding on eligiblity for exams.
Not all students are considered eligible to test after each session as the advancement process may take a different amount of time for each individual. As students advance to higher levels, the degree of physical and technical difficulty increases. As a result more time is required between gradings.
Advancement Levels
Color Stripes
Acknowledgement of progress in karate training.
The color stripe system is in effect for children, white belt up to orange belt (8-12 yr olds).
*Exams held at the end of each
session*
Color Belt
Meeting or exceeding the exceptions for a rank.
*Exams held twice yearly February and June*