Belt Rank Progression

Belt Ranks are marks of achievement, which students earn through skill development and great attendance. Once a karate student has completed the curriculum for a belt rank level, they participate in a promotion event that tests their skills.

On the path to becoming a Black Belt there are many belt ranks. Not every student will complete every belt rank level. For example, karate students aged 3-6 earn Little Ninja Belt Ranks, but may or may not be required to complete all Little Ninja Belt Ranks before graduating into the Basic Program. In a similar fashion, not all Basic students will earn a Gold-Orange Belt Rank or an Orange-Green Belt Rank. Some students promote directly from Gold to Orange, or from Orange to Green.

Decisions regarding belt rank promotion will be made by the instructor, with the martial arts development of the student in mind. The following charts show visually the possible belt ranks that students earn on their path to Black Belt and beyond.

Little Ninja Belt Rank Progression

Students who begin their martial arts training between the ages of 3 and 6 start in the Little Ninja Program.


White Belt


White-Gold Belt


White-Orange Belt


White-Green Belt


White-Purple Belt


White-Blue Belt


White-Red Belt


White-Brown Belt


Camo-White Belt


Camo-Gold Belt


Camo-Orange Belt


Camo-Green Belt


Camo-Purple Belt


Camo-Blue Belt


Camo-Red Belt


Camo-Brown Belt

Belt Rank Progression

Students who begin their training at age 7 or older begin in the Basic Program. Students are promoted into the Black Belt Team during this progression, once they have demonstrated the desire and commitment to continue their training and earn their Black Belt Rank.


White Belt


Gold Belt


Gold-Orange Belt


Orange Belt


Orange-Green Belt


Green Belt


Purple Belt


Blue Belt


Blue-Stripe Belt


Red Belt


Red-Stripe Belt


Brown Belt


Brown-Stripe Belt

Black Belt Degree Progression


First-Degree Black Belt

After completing their under belt training, students undergo rigorous testing to earn their Black Belt Rank. The first Black Belt earned is considered a First-Degree Black Belt. This is denoted by a gold bar on the belt. Students then continue their training to earn their Second-Degree Black Belts. They can continue to advance their Degree Ranking over a number of years. As marks of achievement, Star Ranks are awarded as training for the next degree progresses. These Stars are worn as patches on the leg of the Black Belt's uniform.


Second-Degree Black Belt


Third-Degree Black Belt

Students earning a particular degree typically take that number of years to complete the degree level requirements. I.E. Two years to earn a Second-Degree Rank, three years to earn a Third-Degree Rank and so on. With a desire to grow and improve their skills, Black Belts can continue to attain these life-long goals, up to Tenth-Degree Black Belt!