Japan Karate Association (JKA) 

Qualification

 

At JKA headquarters, all our instructors are specially trained and licensed to teach. Each of them must train extensively and complete the JKA’s unique specialist instructor training program before receiving certification to fulfill the various functions they are responsible for within the JKA.

 

The JKA offers three basic kinds of qualifications: authorized Instructor qualifications (for teaching karate); authorized Judge qualifications (for judging and refereeing at tournaments); and authorized Examiner qualifications (for testing and evaluating Dan grades, instructors, and other types of qualifications). Typically, it is only those who are already qualified instructors who are eligible for the other two types.

 

For each type of official qualification, there are four classes: D through A. Each subsequent class authorizes the instructor to carry out an increasingly broad spectrum of activities appropriate to the individual’s experience, with Instructors and Judges outside Japan also carrying out their activities according to the rules for their country. Class A is the highest rank offered in the JKA.

 

To advance from one class to the next, the instructor must fulfill the certification requirements and complete the formal testing procedure. Testing cannot take place until a minimum of three months after the candidate has attained the Dan and completed the other qualifications required for that class.

 

Testing for these various classes of qualification is conducted by authorized and certified Examiners specified by the Chief Instructor or the Technical Committee. Overseas Examiners who have been given special Examiner’s authorization by JKA headquarters carry out their duties in their country based upon the authority given to them.

 

Generally, qualifications are renewed every three years and require a training session before the renewal can be validated.

Here is the list of the requirements for the qualification test examinee;

→　List of the requirements for Requirements for Qualification Test Examinee

 

Class D

Testing Location

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified to instruct at the branch dojo or group
 

Class C

Testing LocationRegional HQ

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified to instruct and train at Prefectural (State) level
 

Class B

Testing LocationTokyo JKA HQ

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified to instruct and train at the regional level
 

Class A

Testing LocationTokyo JKA HQ

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified to instruct and train at the national level

Authorized Judge Certification
 

Class D

Testing Location Regional HQ

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified as:

Main judge for branch dojo or group-level tournaments

Assistant judge for Prefectural (State)  tournaments

 

Class C

Testing LocationRegional HQ

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified as:

Main judge for Prefectural (State)tournaments

Chief judge for branch dojo or group-level tournaments

Assistant judge for Regional tournaments

 

Class B

Testing LocationTokyo JKA HQ

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified as:

Main judge and arbitrator for Regional tournaments

Chief judge for Prefectural (State) tournaments

Assistant judge for International tournaments

 

Class A

Testing LocationTokyo JKA HQ

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified as:

Main judge and arbitrator for International tournaments

Chief judge and arbitrator for the regional tournaments

Qualified to instruct at judge training sessions

 

Class International

Application Prerequisites - Class A Judge Certification

Testing Location - Upon recommendation of the Instructor Committee

Authorized Function Upon Certification - Qualified as:

Judge for International tournaments

Authorized Examiner Certification

 

Class D

Testing Location Regional HQ

 

Class C

Testing LocationTokyo JKA HQ

 

Class B

Testing LocationTokyo JKA HQ

 

Class A

Testing LocationTokyo JKA HQ