Apply for Black Belt

Basic Info Regarding Black Belt:

This is the goal of just about every student studying Taekwondo as it’s associated with expertise.

In the Black Belt Handbook, we will take a look at the ten Black Belt levels.

There are two types of Black Belts– Dan is issued to adults and Poom is issued to students under 16 years of age. You can check it by Clicking Here. The main distinction between Adult and Junior Black Belts is that Junior Black Belts are generally not allowed to be instructors until they are adults– even if they have a higher rank than the adult.

To get to your first-degree black belt will take a minimum of 2 to 3 years. To go from one black belt degree to the next will take as many years as the belt you are going to test for. For example, to go from your 1st-degree black belt to your 2nd-degree black belt will take at least 2 years.

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Black Belt Levels in Taekwondo:

1st Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan):

Years To Obtain: Required time 2 – 3 years

A Cho Dan is a senior student and may be designated as an assistant instructor under a full instructor- equivalent to a high school degree in the art.

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2nd Degree Black Belt (Ee Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 1 year is required after 1st Degree Black Belt

A Ee Dan is naturally more experienced and skilled. At this level, you will often be a certified Instructor teaching the older students and those that are more advanced under the guidance of a Master.

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3rd Degree Black Belt (Sam Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 2 years are required after 2nd Degree Black Belt

A Sam Dan is a senior instructor able to promote a student to Cho Dan- equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in art.

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4th Degree Black Belt (Sa Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 3 years are required after 3rd Degree Black Belt

A 4th Degree is considered to be either a Master rank or a Junior or Associate Master. They are usually qualified to lead the Black Belts and promote color belts under their teaching up to he 1st Dan. You will have the ability to open your own school.

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5th Degree Black Belt (Oh Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 4 years are required after 4th Degree Black Belt

A Oh Dan is considered a Master as he/she can promote a student to Sam Dan- equivalent to a master’s degree in the art.

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6th Degree Black Belt (Yuk Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 5 years are required after 5th Degree Black Belt

At 6th degree one is at even more rarefied air and at this level and the main job, in addition to continuing one’s own training, is to teach other instructors. One is under the direct supervision of a Grandmaster (8th and 9th Degree). You are referred to as a Senior Master.

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7th Degree Black Belt (Ch’il Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 6 years are required after 6th Degree Black Belt

It’s very difficult to reach this rank before that regardless of one’s training schedule. As with the 6th degree, one is under the direct supervision and constant instruction of a Grandmaster 8th or 9th Dan.

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8th Degree Black Belt (P’al Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 7 years are required after 7th Degree Black Belt

A P’al Dan is addressed as Grandmaster. At this point, one will need to get a physical exam and a doctor’s note. In addition, sparring and breaking are not mandatory.

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9th Degree Black Belt (Koo Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 8 years are required after 8th Degree Black Belt

This is the last and highest active rank. It’s very difficult to reach and cannot be done unless you are at least 53 years old. It takes incredible devotion to art, hard work, and consistent training for life.

To get to this point one should have had to serve on a board or acted as a referee for many years. One will also have to have overseen a significant number of black belts and/or other such accomplishments.

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10th Degree Black Belt (Sip Dan)

Years To Obtain: Minimum 9 years are required after 9th Degree Black Belt

This is the highest black belt level in Taekwondo. Its really just an honorary title and given to those who have influenced or affected the growth and development of Taekwondo.