The Shotokan World Karate Kyu and Dan Rank Certification System:
There are 10 Kyu and 10 Dan in Shotokan World 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 ShotokanWorld Karate 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 Shotokan World Karate HQ is authorized to evaluate, grade and issue certification). These details are summarized in the following chart.

To progress to the next Kyu or Dan, Shotokan World Karate 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.

Shotokan World Karate Instructor Qualification System:
At Shotokan World Karate headquarters, all our instructors are specially trained and licensed to teach. Each of them must train extensively and complete the Shotokan World Karate’s unique instructor training program before receiving certification to fulfill the various functions they are responsible for within Shotokan World Karate.

Shotokan World Karate 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 USA, Europe and Africa 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 the United States also carrying out their activities according to the rules for their country. Class A is the highest rank offered at Shotokan World Karate.

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 or by the Technical Committee. Overseas Examiners who have been given special Examiner’s authorization by Shotokan World Karate 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: