JKA/WF Instructor Qualification Syste

At JKA/WF headquarters, all instructors are specially trained and licensed to teach. Each of them must train extensively and complete the JKA/WF’s unique specialist instructor training program before receiving certification to fulfill the various functions they are responsible for within the JKA/WF. The JKA/WF offers three basic kinds of qualifications: authorized Instructor qualifications (for teaching karate); authorized Judge qualifications (for judging and refereeing at tournaments); and authorized Examiner qualifications (for testing and evaluating Dan, instructors and other types of qualification). Typically, it is only those who are already qualified instructors who are eligible for the other two types. In Japan, there are currently individuals who hold all three of these qualifications. For each type of official qualification, there are four classes: D through A. Each subsequent class authorizes the instructor to carry out an increasingly broad spectrum of activities appropriate to the individual’s experience with Instructors and Judges outside Japan also carrying out their activites according to the rules for their country. Class A is the highest rank offered in the JKA/WF.  To advance from one class to the next, the instructor must fulfill the certification requirements and successfully complete the formal testing procedure. Testing cannot take place until a minimum of three months after the candidate has attained the Dan and completed the other qualifications required for that class. Testing for these various classes of qualification are carried out by authorized and certified Examiners specified by the Chief Instructor orby the Technical Committee. Overseas Examiners who have been given special Examiner’s authorization by JKA/WF headquarters carry out their duties in their country based upon the authority given to them. Generally, qualifications are renewed every three years, and require a training                      session before the renewal can be validated. These details are summarized in the following charts:

Authorized Instructor Certification

Class D Application Prerequisites 2nd Dan 20 years of age or older Testing Location Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified to instruct at branch dojo or group Class C Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 3rd Dan Class D Instructor Certification Testing Location Regional HQ Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified to instruct and train at National (Prefecural) level Class B Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 4th Dan Class C Instructor Certification Testing Location Tokyo JKA/WF HQ Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified to instruct and train at Regional level Class A Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 6th Dan Class B Instructor Certification Testing Location Tokyo JKA/WF HQ Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified to instruct and train at International level Qualified to instruct at International training sessions

Authorized Judge Certification

Class D Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 2nd Dan Testing Location Regional HQ Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified as: Main judge for branch dojo or group level tournaments Assistant judge for National (Prefectural) tournaments Class C Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 3rd Dan Class D Judge Certification Testing Location Regional HQ Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified as: Main judge for National (Prefectural) tournaments Chief judge for branch dojo or group level tournaments Assistant judge for Regional tournaments Class B Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 4th Dan Class C Judge Certification Testing Location Tokyo JKA/WF HQ Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified as: Main judge and arbitrator for Regional tournaments Chief judge for National (Prefectural) tournaments Assistant judge for International tournaments Class A Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 5th Dan Class B Judge Certification Testing Location Tokyo JKA/WF HQ Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified as: Main judge and arbitrator for International tournaments Chief judge and arbitrator for Regional tournaments Qualified to instruct at judge training sessions Class International Application Prerequisites Class A Judge Certification Testing Location Upon recommendation of Instructor Committee Authorized Function Upon Certification Qualified as: Judge for International tournaments

Authorized Examiner Certification

Class D Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 3rd Dan Class D Instructor Certification 25 years of age or older Testing Location Regional HQ Class C Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 4th Dan Min 1 year wait after receiving Class D Examiner Certification Class C Instructor Certification Class C Judge Certification Testing Location Tokyo JKA/WF HQ Class B Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 6th Dan Min 1 year wait after receiving Class C Examiner Certification Class B Instructor Certification Class B Judge Certification Testing Location Tokyo JKA/WF HQ Class A Application Prerequisites Min 3 months wait after receiving 7th Dan Min 2 years wait after receiving Class B Examiner Certification Class A Instructor Certification Class A Judge Certification Testing Location Tokyo JKA/WF HQ

JKA/WF- HQ

Japan