Through the years there have been many key questions repeated regarding the issue of certification. Due to various factors, these questions have increased, both in their frequency and scope.
In order to shed more light on these sensitive areas, we have tried to list out the key areas of concern below.
1. Why are there so many Dan levels?
We cannot speak for all styles or even arts, but in general,
a) 1st to 2nd Dan is a reflection of having achieved a mastery or grasp of the physical basics of the art.
b) 3rd to 4th Dan is normally given to those who have achieved a complete grasp of the advanced physical requirements of the art.
c) 5th to 7th Dan normally means that they have achieved mastery of the art.
d) 8th to 10th Dan are normally honorary grades, given for loyalty and contribution to the art.
2. At what Dan can we teach, or be a Master?
Dan is a term for rank achievement generally via skill and knowledge. It is NOT a mark of instructional or intellectual ability, let alone capability.
Instructor status can be awarded to deserving candidates who have satisfied the requirements, normally via a set curriculum given at a course that can last 1 day to 2 weeks.
Assistant Instructors can be from 3rd Geup level onwards.
Full Instructors are from 1st Dan; International Instructors can be certified from 4th Dan.
Master Instructors can be certified from 5th Dan (junior Master level), although they are normally awarded from 6th Dan (full Master level).
Grand Masters (GM) can be recognized from 8th Dan (juniors). GMs are traditionally awarded to those who have not only mastered the art (Master qualification), but also to those who have understood and enriched the art, and helped in its continued development and promotion.
3. Who can issue said certification?
Normally one needs to be a Master to grade (6th Dan). Some organizations allow 4th Dans to recommend, but normally you would need a minimum of 6th Dan to sign and authenticate the grade. Normally one can grade up to one level below one's own, i.e. 6th Dan can grade to 5th; 7th Dan can grade to 6th, etc.
To further add weight to the rank, it helps if the issuing body is one of the recognized world bodies eg. ITF or WTF or one of the founding bodies eg. ChungDoKwan, KHA, MooDukKwan, etc. of the art. Obviously, the Examining Master should hold credible and genuine certification from at least one of these bodies him/her self.
4. Why is there a growing concern over certification?
Simply put, greed and ego. Giving out rank is now a big business. So big in fact, that we must watch out for Dan mills or worst, scams. Always have a simple checklist to verify the authenticity of various claims:
a) the cert is given out by a panel or committee of lower Dan ranks. This is becoming common, but is not really on (eg. Can 10 1st Dans really authenticate a person to 9th Dan?);
b) the cert is signed by someone who themselves have suspect certification (what value a cert signed by a fraud?);
c) the cert is in the name of a “paper” organization, i.e. one that does nothing for its members (i.e. a paper mill), probably headed by an unqualified head;
d) Some clever persons have taken paper bodies to a great extreme, eg. I could go to Korea, and register several companies to sound like KMA bodies, eg. “ConDoKwan HapKiDo”, “FakeDoKwan TaeKwonDo”. As an added touch, I could also register a quasi governing body, eg. “Korean Martial Arts Masters Association” that will act as a form of national governing body. Of course since all these companies or business are legally registered under South Korean government, by law any certs issued under their name can be said to be “Korean certs” that are government recognized and “legal”;
e) the cert is in the name of a recognised organization, eg. KukKiWon, but the design and contents of the cert are different from the original (its still a fake, good only for toilet paper);
f) the cert is in the name of a recognized organization, and looks real. If so, write off to the issuing body to verify its authenticity.
Any real Master or Examiner will not object to you verifying his status, just ask politely.
5. How come some 9th or 10th Dans are around 30 years old?
Well, it could be a religious thing; they woke up one morning, and God told them that they were annointed as Grand Masters.
Seriously, some persons (including talented ones) decide to ”found” their own art or style, and as founders, some organizations (for a fee) recognize them as founders, and thus as 9th or 10th Dan level. Of course, some may have less that 10 years training (if at all) and questionable understanding of even the basics. However, if you want fast and immediate certification, simply apply to these “founders” with (a lot of) your money.
Generally, 8th Dans are not awarded to those below 42 years, normally 44 years; 9th Dan to those above 50 years, and 10th Dan to those at least 60 years old.
6. Why do some genuinely qualified Masters step away from their “mother” bodies?
There are a number of reasons, i.e.
a) money, in terms of fees (too high)
b) services, in terms of non-value for fees paid (to few)
c) politics (too many)
d) ego
Some reasons may be genuine; just ask politely. However, the master does have the prerogative to decline to answer. In which case, you have to make up your own mind.
7. Which certs are internationally recognized?
At the end of the day, it depends on the individual's standard and attitude as well as the person asked if you bring your rank certificate to train in another gym.
Some Masters of the same world organizations don't even recognize the same organization certificate! Some world bodies brand images have suffered because of lowering of standards and “giving” out of Dan certs.
At the end of the day, unless you are an Instructor, don't worry too much about the number of stripes on your belt. Focus on your skills, knowledge and attitude. Find a good instructor who is capable and recognized, and do your best.
8. Why PROPER or PREMIUM certification is important?
• Certs offer a renewed emphasis on training, eg. another worthy goal to achieve;
• Certs demonstrate minimum competence or mastering of set identifiable basic levels of ability in the art;
• Certs can sometimes identify outstanding practitioners of the art, eg Citations, “Outstanding student”, etc.;
• Certs improve skills and knowledge;
• Certs demonstrate an individuals' drive, initiative and accomplishment spirit;
• Certs demonstrate accountability to a governing entity;
• Certs also demonstrate an individuals' commitment to the art and profession (if Instructing);
• Certs establish linage to the Art and ones' roots;
• Certs enhances the image of the Association, Art, and Profession as a whole as being standards and quality driven;
• Certs contribute to building self esteem and confidence in the individual;
• Certs help build trust, respect and confidence from the students and public;
• Certs set an example and promote a culture of continuous learning and achievement;
• Certs help establish professional credentials;
• Certs improve career opportunities and advancement;
• Certs help prepare one for greater responsibilities;
• Certs offer greater professional recognition from peers.
9. What certification should I get?
Our answer to this is pretty straightforward:
a) Aim for the best.
b) If this is not possible, get certified from someone who has him or herself been certified by the best.
You will need to do some initial research to establish which Bodies or Associations are recognized as the best. Some bodies may be the best in a particular aspect of an Art; you may then need to seek certification from another body that is recognized as the best in the other area that is seen as important, eg. The KukKiWon is the governing body for Olympic TaeKwonDo, but is not seen by many as being the authority in traditional TaeKwonDo (the original Kwans are seen as such) .
Again, due to historical or evolutionary reasons, there may be 2 bodies for a particular martial art seen as the pinnacle for certification and membership; eg. between them, the DaeHan KiDo Hae (Korea KiDo Association) and the DaeHan HapKiDo Hyup Hae (Korea HapKiDo Federation) control over 80% of all HapKiDo in Korea. Membership to either body is very prestigious and virtually mandatory to have to obtain standing with your peers. Membership with both is very, very rare.