Promotions & Rank Recognition
A fair, respectful path for recognition, advancement, and continuing growth in the martial arts.
Welcome
The Worldwide Martial Arts Association welcomes sincere martial artists from all legitimate traditions. Our promotion system is designed to preserve the dignity of rank, respect the authority of teachers, recognize honest prior achievement, and provide a fair path for continued growth.
WWMAA is an apolitical educational and service organization. We do not tell schools how to run their programs, and we do not replace the relationship between a student and a teacher. Instead, we provide structure, review, documentation, and support so that members, instructors, schools, and families can understand what a martial art rank or credential means in WWMAA specifically and in martial arts in general.
Whether you are joining WWMAA with an existing rank, applying for advancement, comparing your system to the WWMAA rank structure, or asking us to review a new martial art, this page will help you begin. Detailed reference documents are available through the links throughout this page.
Recognition, Certification & Promotion
WWMAA uses clear language so that members and the public can understand how a credential was earned.
Recognition
WWMAA acknowledges a rank or credential previously issued by a legitimate lineage, organization, school, or instructor. Recognition is based on documentation, martial arts history, and ethical standing. It does not mean WWMAA awarded the original rank.
Certification
WWMAA has directly evaluated and granted a rank or credential through a WWMAA program, examiner process, testing procedure, or Board-approved review. Schools with graduates of the Instructor Credential Program are WWMAA Elite Schools.
Promotion
Advancement to a higher rank after appropriate review. Promotion may occur through a member's teacher, through the appropriate examining board, or through a WWMAA-assigned examiner when a member does not currently have a teacher available.
How the WWMAA Rank System Works
The WWMAA rank structure uses sixteen ranks: six student ranks and ten practitioner ranks. The system is broadly modeled on the traditional Kyu and Dan pattern, while allowing each art or school to preserve its own rank names, terminology, and customs.
If your art uses a different ranking system, the Rank Equivalency Grid is used to compare your system with the WWMAA structure. In many cases, your certificate may show your own art's rank name first, with the WWMAA equivalent rank in parentheses. This allows each art to retain its identity while still creating a common association-wide reference point.
WWMAA Ranks at a Glance
Student Ranks
Beginning through advanced student development.
Usually handled through the student's school or teacher.
Technical Black Belt Ranks
Technical skill, practical application, and knowledge of the art.
Complete the Technical Rank section of the application.
Teaching Ranks
Teaching ability, lesson planning, student progress, seminars, and service.
Complete Technical and Teaching sections.
Teacher of Teachers Ranks
Mentoring advanced practitioners and teachers; leadership beyond one school.
Complete all application sections and provide supporting documentation.
Honorary Master Teacher Ranks
Recognition of exceptional lifetime contribution and leadership.
Recommended by students, peers, and/or Board action.
WWMAA Rank Equivalency
| Adult | Junior | Rank Name | Belt | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | J1–J2 | Rokyu (六級) | White | Beginning Student 1 |
| S2 | J3–J4 | Gokyu (五級) | Yellow | Beginning Student 2 |
| S3 | J5–J6 | Yonkyu (四級) | Green | Intermediate Student 1 |
| S4 | J7–J8 | Sankyu (三級) | Brown | Intermediate Student 2 |
| S5 | J9–J10 | Nikkyu (二級) | Brown | Intermediate Student 3 |
| S6 | J11–J12 | Ikkyu (一級) | Brown | Intermediate Student 4 |
| B1 | — | Shodan (初段) | Black | Asst. Teacher / Adv. Student 1 |
| B2 | — | Nidan (二段) | Black | Asst. Teacher / Adv. Student 2 |
| B3 | — | Sandan (三段) | Black | Assoc. Teacher / Adv. Student 3 |
| B4 | — | Yondan (四段) | Black & Red | Teacher Level 1 |
| B5 | — | Godan (五段) | Black & Red | Teacher Level 2 |
| B6 | — | Rokudan (六段) | Black & Red | Teacher Level 3 |
| B7 | — | Shichidan (七段) | Red & White | Polished Teacher |
| B8 | — | Hachidan (八段) | Red & White | Teacher of Teachers |
| B9 | — | Kudan (九段) | Red | Master Teacher |
| B10 | — | Judan (十段) | Red | Chief Master Teacher |
Promotion Process
Up to Sixth Dan (Teacher Level)
Promotion up to and including that of “teacher” in the art (Sixth Dan in the Japanese system) will be totally within the purview of the martial artist's sensei who, if active and in good standing with the association, will be authorized to promote up to and including one rank below his/her own.
Above Teacher Level
Martial artists wishing to be considered for rank above “teacher” in the art and martial artists without teachers may submit dossiers for promotion consideration to their appropriate style head for consideration. Testing for promotion (where appropriate) will be held at the yearly training camp or whenever three or more members of the style promotion board may convene.
Minimum Time in Grade
Each rank has a minimum time in grade requirement. The required years of active involvement increase with each level:
S6 → B1
TIG: 1 yr
Min total: 5 yrs
B1 → B2
TIG: 2 yrs
Min total: 7 yrs
B2 → B3
TIG: 3 yrs
Min total: 10 yrs
B3 → B4
TIG: 4 yrs
Min total: 14 yrs
B4 → B5
TIG: 5 yrs
Min total: 19 yrs
B5 → B6
TIG: 6 yrs
Min total: 25 yrs
B6 → B7
TIG: 7 yrs
Min total: 32 yrs
B7 → B8
TIG: 8 yrs
Min total: 40 yrs
B8 → B9
TIG: 9 yrs
Min total: 49 yrs
B9 → B10
TIG: 10 yrs
Min total: 59 yrs
Recognition of Existing Rank
New members may request recognition of current rank by submitting appropriate documentation. Useful documents may include:
- Rank certificates
- Letters from instructors or organizations
- Promotion records and training history
- School history and curriculum requirements
- Photographs, videos, or other evidence of rank and training path
WWMAA respects legitimate lineages and teachers. Your rank in your own school or art remains part of your martial arts history. WWMAA recognition means we have reviewed your documentation and acknowledge your achievement within the WWMAA framework.
Member In Good Standing
Members of the association are considered in good standing if they meet the following requirements:
School Standing
In good standing with their WWMAA affiliated school
Current Membership
Active and current WWMAA membership
Account Current
All financial obligations with WWMAA are current
Clean Record
Testimony of no convictions for violent, sex, or felony crimes
Professional Requirements
Professionals who plan to promote within the WWMAA must have, on file with the WWMAA, a current background check prepared by a governmental body or Checkr, the authorized background check provider of the WWMAA. Background checks must pass the Ethics Committee review in order for the professional to remain in good standing in the association.
Free Standing Martial Artists
Free standing martial artists are encouraged to associate with a WWMAA school, but are in good standing if they meet the above requirements less the school affiliation.
Recognition Of New Art Forms
When a person has, through his own study, created what he considers to be a new Martial Art, we respect his efforts and register his system and his rank. The WWMAA has over 1,000 different arts in our database.
The WWMAA requires the following for new art registration:
Curriculum & Promotion Manual
A curriculum and promotion manual up to Third Degree Black Belt equivalent, required of all arts.
Description of the Art
How is it new and different from existing arts? Does it work on the street? Is it defensible in court? How many practitioners participate and where is it practiced?
Demonstration Before Examining Board
A demonstration before our national examining board consisting of high-ranking practitioners from multiple, different arts.
Important: Simply adding moves from one system to another does not constitute a new system. Creation of a new system must be recommended by the appropriate style board(s) and approved by the Association's Board of Directors.
Reference Documents
Detailed policies, application forms, and reference materials for the WWMAA rank and promotion system.
Rank in the Martial Arts
Philosophy, history, and standards behind the WWMAA rank system.
Instructor Credential Program
I1–I5 instructor and examiner credential requirements.
Rank Promotion Application Worksheet
Complete application form for rank promotion consideration.
Fill out online →Rank Equivalency Grid
Full equivalency matrix across adult, junior, instructor, and honorific tracks.
Member Information Form
New member registration and rank documentation form.
Fill out online →Ready to Advance Your Rank?
Join WWMAA and earn recognized credentials across all martial arts disciplines