Promotion Standards

Aikido Promotional Requirements

Rank Belt Color Hours per week Total hours in Aikido Minimum age of candidate Time in previous grade Total time in Aikido Technical requirements
Gokyu White 0 0 14 0 months 0 months
Yonkyu Green 3.0 40 14 3 months 3 months Tegatana no Kata
Hanasu No Kata
Techniques 1-5 of Ju Nana Hon Kata
Sankyu Brown 3.0 80 14 3 months 6 months Tegatana no Kata
Hanasu No Kata
Techniques 1-10 of Ju Nana Hon Kata
Nikyu Brown 3.0 120 14 3 months 9 months Tegatana no Kata
Hanasu No Kata
Techniques 1-14 of Ju Nana Hon Kata
Ikkyu Brown 3.0 160 14 3 months 1 year Tegatana no Kata
Hanasu No Kata
Techniques 1-17 of Ju Nana Hon Kata
Shodan Black 4.5 250 16 6 months 1-1.5 years Tegatana no Kata
Hanasu No Kata
Techniques 1-17 of Ju Nana Hon Kata
Techniques 1-5 of O Waza Ju Pon
Nidan Black 4.5 500 18 1 year 2 years Techniques 1-10 of O Waza Ju Pon
Techniques 1-16 of Koryu Dai San
Sandan Black 4.5 850 20 2 years 4 years Techniques 1-34 of Koryu Dai San
Techniques 1-14 of Koryu Dai Yon
Yondan Black 4.5 1,100 22 2 years 6 years No technical requirements
Godan Black 4.5 1,600 25 2 years 8 years No technical requirements
Rokudan Red & White 4.5 2,600 29 3 years 11 years No technical requirements
Shichidan Red & White 4.5 4,600 37 8 years 19 years No technical requirements
Hachidan Red & White 4.5 6,600 45 8 years 27 years No technical requirements

The rank of Shodan may be given at one year if the total hours and technical requirements are met. The above recommended hours per week, if followed, will result in the total hours needed at the recommended time in grade and the total time in the art.

No person shall be deprived of a rank when the total hours and technical requirements are met, regardless of how long it takes to meet those hours. Not everyone can practice 3 to 4.5 hours per week.