The JKA Kyu and Dan Rank Certification System There are 10 Kyu and 10 Dan in JKA karate. To obtain certification for each rank, you must fulfill the certification requirements and complete the testing procedure. Testing—or grading—is carried out by a panel of instructors authorized as JKA technical examiners. Typically, Dan grading sessions take place 4 times per year, and Kyu grading takes place twice. In order to be eligible for testing, you must first have gained the appropriate amount of continuous experience at your current rank. Then, depending on the level of Dan you are being graded for, you may have to take the test outside your own country or region (at the higher Dan ranks, only Tokyo JKA HQ is authorized to evaluate, grade and issue certification). These details are summarized in the following chart. Kyu and Dan Grading Prerequisites

Rank Min. Experience Testing Location 10th to 1st Kyu   Branch dojo or group 1st Dan 1 yr Cannot apply same day as attaining 1st Dan Prefectural HQ or Branch dojo or group, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ 2nd Dan 1 yr at 1st Dan rank National (Prefectural) HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ 3rd Dan 2 yrs at 2nd Dan rank 4th Dan 3 yrs at 3rd Dan rank Tokyo JKA HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ 5th Dan 4 yrs at 4th Dan rank 6th Dan 6 yrs at 5th Dan rank Tokyo JKA HQ 7th Dan 7 yrs at 6th Dan rank 8th Dan 7 yrs at 7th Dan rank Upon recommendation by Instructor Committee 9th Dan 8 yrs at 8th Dan rank Upon recommendation by Instructor Committee 10th Dan 9 yrs at 9th Dan rank

To progress to the next Kyu or Dan, JKA students must demonstrate exceptional skill and near flawless execution of a prescribed set of techniques and kata. Our specially-trained instructors and examiners carefully study and evaluate each student based on the criteria shown by clicking on any rank on the chart above. NOTE: The evaluation criteria shown when you click on the chart are those currently applicable in Japan. Evaluation criteria may differ by country.