The JKA/WF 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	Spring camp in JKA HQ or Autumun camp in JKA HQ or Funakoshi Gichin Cup world championships
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