Classical Martial Arts Association

Rank Requirements

The Association has set minimum requirements (such as age and time-in-grade as well as kata and bunkai requirements) for promotions above Shodan. The requirements for promotion up to Hachidan are outlined below.

The Association also offers honorary rank to martial artists of a superior caliber. The requirements for honorary rank can be found here. The requirement for weapons rank can be found here.

Testing Boards:

Sandans & Below: An examiner must be at least the same rank for which he is giving a test.

Yondans & Above: Must test at Camps or in front of one or more of the members on the Board of Directors.

Special Note: All rank requirements are subject to modification by the Board of Directors when necessary due to physical handicaps, etc.


Rank	Requirements
Shodan-ho	Minimum training requirement: 5 years Minimum age requirement: 16 years A Shodan-ho can be promoted to Senior, Jr. Black Belt if they are 12 years of age and have training for at least 7 years.
Shodan	Minimum training requirement: 3 years Minimum age requirement: 16 years Member school to determine basic requirements (within reason)
Nidan	Minimum training requirement: 5 years Minimum age requirement: 18 years Perform 6 kata from the CMAA list: Rohai Nidan Juroku (Gunku Nidan) Bassai Ni Sochin Gopei Sho Tomari Bassai Bunkai 2 of the 6 listed kata. 2 self defense applications from the other 4 kata. 3 self defense applications from 3 kata from karate resume -- testing board decided Defend against 2 man attack with structure. Defend against 3 man attach with structure. Kumite: 5 - 2 minute rounds with 1 opponent.
Sandan	Minimum training requirement: 11 years Minimum age requirement: 24 years Perform 2 of the 6 kata from the CMAA list: Ninjuho Sanseiru Neiseishi Seipai Soshiho Yoshiho no Kata Bunkai both kata. Compose a thesis paper on what Karate means to them. The thesis should a formal paper no more than 10 pages in lenglth, and should cover their beginnings in karate, where they are at present in their martial arts carreer, and where they hope go in their martial art.
Yondan	Minimum training requirement: 11 years Minimum age requirement: 24 years Perform 2 of the 6 kata from the CMAA list: Ninjuho Sanseiru Neiseishi Seipai Soshiho Yoshiho no Kata Bunkai both kata. Compose a thesis paper on what Karate means to them. The thesis should a formal paper no more than 10 pages in lenglth, and should cover their beginnings in karate, where they are at present in their martial arts carreer, and where they hope go in their martial art.
Godan & Rokudan	Minimum training requirement: 15 & 19 years respectively. Minimum age requirement: 28 & 32 years respectively. Perform 3 of the 6 kata from the CMAA list: Godan Requirement Shisochin Suparinpei Sochi uke Ni Nipaipo Sochi Hakkutsuru Rokudan Requriement Sansu Wansu Haikaku Kitakaze Empi Ha Shinto Bunkai all 3 kata. 3 self defense applications from any 3 kata from karate resume. Prove to make significant contributions to the art.
Nanadan & Hachidan	Minimum training requirement: 25 & 31 years respectively. Minimum age requirement: 38 & 44 years respectively. Perform 2 of the 6 kata from the CMAA list: Unsu Anan Gojushiho Kensei Denko Sochi uke San