Grading Requirements

There are usually 6 coloured belt ranks through Karate: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, and Brown.

Occasionally, you will see a striped rank, or possibly another full colour. Usually, these ranks are Striped Green, Striped Blue or Purple, and Striped Brown or Red. These ranks exist because the student is essentially ready for their next rank, however is missing something key. In order to demonstrate their progression, they receive a rank with a condition that they will move on when they have surpassed that final hurdle.

For colour belt gradings, students will either be graded when their sensei feels that they are ready (informal), or by a physical test (formal). Gradings to Black Belt or through any rank of Black Belt will always be formal, and include a written test, basics, kata, sparring, and possibly other examination criteria.

Note: Not all students will receive Senior Green, Senior Blue/Purple, or Senior Brown/Red ranks. These ranks can generally be assumed part of a regular student's progression and time without actually receiving a rank.

Note: In this list, supplementary katas (ones that may or may not be asked for in a grading) are preceeded by an asterisk (*).