There are some requirements for a karateka to be recognized and certified as a Black Belt by the World Karate Federation (WKF). The requirements are age and the minimum number of years of training. The requirements apply after you have passed the black belt exam. The karate black belt certification will be provided by the World Karate Federation (WKF) when the application is signed by the president of the national federation. The World Karate Federation (WKF) also sets a fee for black belt certification. You might get a black belt by your dojo at any age and without considering minimum years of training. There might be some criteria to be certified by the National Federation. Whereas in the World Karate Federation (WKF), there is a minimum requirement of age and minimum years of training for each dan or degree of black belt. You will be certified by the World Karate Federation (WKF) if and only if you meet the criteria. Here are the requirements a karateka must meet to be recognized and certified by the World Karate Federation (WKF) as a black belt of any dan or grade:
- 1st Dan Shodan: Minimum Age – 15 years, Minimum Training – 3 years.
- 2nd Dan Nidan: Minimum Age – 17 years, Minimum Years since 1st Dan – 2 years.
- 3rd Dan Sandan: Minimum Age – 20 years, Minimum Years since 2nd Dan – 3 years.
- 4th Dan Yondan: Minimum Age 24 years, Minimum Years since 3rd Dan – 4 years.
- 5th Dan Godan: Minimum Age 29 years, Minimum Years since 4th Dan – 5 years.
- 6th Dan Rokudan: Minimum Age – 35 years, Minimum Years since 5th Dan – 6 years.
- 7th Dan Nanadan: Minimum Age – 42 years, Minimum Years since 6th Dan – 7 years.
- 8th Dan Hachidan: Minimum Age – 50 years, Minimum Years since 7th Dan – 8 years.
- 9th Dan Kyudan: Awarded as an outstanding lifetime achievement for Karate
- 10th Dan Judan: Awarded as an outstanding lifetime achievement for Karate.
The 9th and 10th Dan can be awarded by the national federation, but not by the World Karate Federation (WKF). There might be some exceptional cases where 9th and 10th Dan may be awarded by the World Karate Federation (WKF), which will be recognized at an international level. Candidates will receive a diploma from the World Karate Federation (WKF) signed by the President of the World Karate Federation (WKF).
