Promotion System
Requires the direct evaluation of all candidates.
USJA Ranks
USJA's National Promotion System is designed to ensure that ranks awarded reflect the technical expertise, character development, and overall contribution of the individual. This process requires the direct evaluation of all candidates.
(1) Candidates must meet certain minimum requirements to become eligible for promotion. They must then pass an exam and be recommended for promotion by their instructor for higher dans (black belts) ranks and provide the proper amount of documented USJA Activity Points.
(2) All recommendations for promotions must be submitted to the USJA National Office on the proper forms for approval.
(3) All candidates for promotion must be Active Annual or Sustaining Life Members of a USJA Chartered Club with the proper time in grade in the previous rank.
(4) A $35.00 non-refundable processing fee must accompany all Dan (black belt) rank (RFPs & RVPs) recommendations. The remainder of the fees must be remitted upon notification of successfully being promoted or validated.
(5) A current clear background check is required for all Dan (black belt) ranks by visiting Background Screening.
(6) Safe Sport online certification - for all Dan (black belt) ranks.
(7) Heads-Up online certification - for all Dan (black belt) ranks .
(8) Promotions are done in accordance with USJA's National Promotion Board.
- Ranks below 4th Dan are processed by the office.
- Ranks of 4th and 5th Dan are reviewed by a sub-committee of the Promotion Board.
- Ranks of 6th Dan and above are decided on during the Promotion Board's quarterly conference calls held the first Wednesday of each new quarter. Correct
paperwork must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the call to be considered.
- Ranks above 8th Dan require the additional approval of the USJA's Board of Directors.
- Ranks of 4th Dan and above must all include a brief biography with a passport photo or jpg
Links to USJA Promotion Forms and to Purchase Manual:
- Junior Promotion Exam
- Junior Promotion Application
- Senior Kyu Promotion Application
- Senior Dan Promotion Application
-
Senior Rank Validation Application
- USJA Senior Activity Log Template
-
USJA's Online Store
- List all USJA Forms and downloads
- USJA Membership Application (Join Online or Renew Online)
Junior Ranks
00 white
01 yellow
02 yellow
03 orange
04 orange
05 green
06 green
07 blue
08 blue
09 purple
10 purple
Senior Ranks
The chart below denotes belt color, minimum TIG, and classes required for each Senior Kyu rank (6th to 1st Kyu).(Each class must be at least one hour long and no more than 2 classes a day can be counted.)
| RANK | BELT COLOR | MONTHS | CLASSES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novice | White | - | - |
| 6th kyu | Yellow | 2 | 15 |
| 5th kyu | Orange | 3 | 22 |
| 4th kyu | Green | 5 | 38 |
| 3rd kyu | Brown | 6 | 50 |
| 2nd kyu | Brown | 8 | 75 |
| 1st kyu | Brown | 10 | 100 |
The chart below denotes belt color, minimum TIG, points, and the number of sign-offs required for each Senior Dan rank (1st to 10th Dan).
| 1st to 5th Dan Rank/Belt |
A@60 pts/yr / TIG/points | B@50 pts/yr / TIG/points | C@40 pts/yr / TIG/points | D@0 pts/yr 4,5D=20TIG/points |
Sign-off: Required Rank or above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dan Black | 1/60 | 2/100 | 3/120 | 5/0 | (1) 2D |
| 2 Dan Black | 2/120 | 3/150 | 6/160 | 7/0 | (1) 3D |
| 3 Dan Black | 4/240 | 5/250 | 6/240 | 9/0 | (1) 4D |
| 4 Dan Black/Red | 5/300 | 6/300 | 7/280 | 10/200 | (1) 5D |
| 5 Dan Black/Red | 6/360 | 7/350 | 8/320 | 11/220 | (1) 6D |
| 6th to 10th Dan Rank/Belt |
A@90 pts/yr / TIG/points | B@70 pts/yr / TIG/points | C@50 pts/yr / TIG/points | D@30 pts/yr / TIF/points | Sign-off: Required Rank or above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Dan Red/White | 7/630 | 8/560 | 9/450 | 12/360 | (2) 7D |
| 7 Dan Red/White | 8/720 | 9/630 | 10/500 | 13/390 | (2) 8D |
| 8 Dan Red/White | 9/810 | 10/700 | 11/550 | 14/420 | Promotion Board |
| 9 and 10 Dan Red | Promotion to these ranks is rare. The USJA Promotion Board and Board of Directors bestows these ranks based on a comprehensive review of the individual’s legacy of achievements as well as service to the USJA in terms of their effect nationally and internationally on the world judo community. | ||||
High Dan Ranks applicant should be active at these levels:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only those with documented activities at the highest levels are considered for high dan promotions. Sixty percent (60%) or more of the
activities must be at the levels shown as follows or higher. Activities that include those for visually impaired (VI), such as Parapan Games, Para World,
and Paralympics, also meet this requirement equally.