"When do I test for my next belt?" Sensei will test you when you are ready.  "Ready" means that you have met the requirements for 1) ablity to demonstrate the required techniques proficiently, and 2) you have accumulated the requisite number of training days.  You should take responsibility for yourself by seeking one on one instruction from sensei or a sempai to help prepare for testing.   Usually you will experience one or two practice tests as sensei assesses your readiness. There are no special testing fees or applications needed at this time.  Traditionally, adults wear a white belt until shodan.

Taijutsu Requirements for kyu ranks: Sixth Kyu: 20 Training Days Tachi waza tai no henko kokyuho tai no henko kokyuho ki no nagare morote dori kokyuho tsuki kotegaeshi shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura waza katate dori shihonage omote and ura waza Fifth Kyu: 20 Training Days after 6th kyu Tachi waza tai no henko kokyuho tai no henko kokyuho ki no nagare morote dori kokyuho tsuki kotegaeshi shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura waza katate dori shihonage omote and ura waza kata dori nikkyo omote and ura waza shomenuchi iriminage Fourth Kyu: 50 Training Days after 5th Kyu Tachi waza Shomenuchi ikkyo omote and ura waza Shomenuchi nikkyo omote and ura waza Shomenuchi sankyo omote and ura waza Shomenuchi iriminage Shomenuchi kotegaeshi Ryote dori ikkyo omote and ura waza Ryote dori nikkyo omote and ura waza Ryote dori shihonage omote and ura waza Ryote dori kokyunage Katate dori ikkyo omote and ura waza Katate dori shihonage omote and ura waza Katate dori iriminage Katate dori kokyunage Gyakute tori kotegaeshi Gyakute tori kokyunage morote dori kokyunage Munetsuki ikkyo ura waza Munetsuki kotegaeshi Yokomenuchi shihonage omote and ura waza 3rd Kyu 70 Training Days after 4th Kyu Tachiwaza: shomenuchi ikkyo-yonkyo omote and ura shomenuchi shihonage omote and ura shomenuchi kotegaeshi shomeuchi iriminage Katate dori ikkyo omote and ura waza Katate dori shihonage omote and ura waza Katate dori kotegaeshi Katate dori koshinage Katate dori iriminage Katate dori kokyunage Ryote dori ikkyo omote and ura waza Ryote dori koshinage Ryote dori nikkyo omote and ura waza Ryote dori shihonage omote and ura waza Ryote dori kokyunage munetsuki ikkyo omote and ura waza munetsuki kotegaeshi munetsuki koshinage ushiro ryote dori ikkyo omote and ura waza ushiro ryote dori koshinage yokomenuchi shihonage omote and ura waza gyakute tori kotegaeshi gyakute tori kokyunage morote dori kokyunage 2nd kyu: 90 days after third kyu, and 6 months   Tachiwaza: shomenuchi kotegaeshi shomenuchi iriminage shomenuchi kaitennage shomenuchi ikkyo yokomen uchi nikkyo kata dori sankyo ushi ryote dori yonkyo mune dori jujinage tsuki kotegaeshi tsuki iriminage tsuki kaitennage katate dori kotegaeshi katate dori iriminage katate dori kaitennage (soto and uchi mawari) kata dori iriminage kata dori jujinage ryote dori tenshi nage ryote dori shihonage ushiro ryote dori shihonage ushiro ryote dori kotegaeshi ushiro ryote dori jujinage 1st kyu  120 days and 9 months shodan 180 days nidan 260 days/1 year sandan 300 days/2 years yondan 300 days/3 years godan 5 years rokudan 6 years

Testing Information

Suwari waza kokyu dosa Bukiwaza Requirement: Attendance at 5 weapons practices

Suwari waza kokyu dosa Ukemi foward and back rolls shikko walking Bukiwaza Requirement: 1-5 jo suburi 1-7 bokken suburi

Suwari waza kokyudosa Ukemi breakfall from kotegaeshi Bukiwaza Requirement: Happo giri Hidari and migi no awase Go no awase (5th) Shichi no awase (7th) 31 Kata 1-10 Jo suburi 1-7 Bokken suburi

Suwariwaza: shomenuchi ikkyo-yonkyo omote and ura waza kokyudosa Ukemi: Highfall from kokyunage Bukiwaza Requirement: Happo giri Hidari and migi no awase Go no awase (5th) Shichi no awase (7th) ichi no kumitachi ki musubi no tachi 31 Kata 1-20 Jo suburi 13 jo kata

Suwari waza: shomenuchi ikkyo-yonkyo yokomen uchi ikkyo-yonkyo Hanmi handachi: katatedori shihonage ryote dori shihonage shomenuchi iriminage tsuki kotegaeshi tsuki kaitennage Ushiro waza: three attacks: ryote dori ryokata dori kubishime Variations: (3 each) katatedori hiji dori morote dori ryote dori

Tanto dori: tsuki kotegaeshi yokomenuchi gokyo ura waza knife at the back knife at the throat rokyo Bukiwaza: Kumitachi 1-5 31 Kumijo