Requirements For Sandan

Candidates must:

1. At the time of the examination, the candidate must have been an active and AJJF registered Nidan for a minimum of three consecutive years, and must hold a current AJJF membership for one full year preceding the Sandan exam.
2. Have been actively instructing their own classes for a minimum of three years, or started and maintained a registered AJJF school as school head for two years, or have been an assistant instructor, a minimum of two years.
3. Submit a copy of current AJJF membership card.
4. Submit a copy of current Red Cross Standard or Community First Aid card.
5. Submit a copy of current CPR card.
6. Submit an Application for Examination.
7. Submit a Letter of Recommendation from Sensei (in a sealed envelope) stating, in part, willingness to assume responsibility for applicant. [See Letter of Recommendation form]
8. Submit a notebook containing an organized list of all the arts being examined, with a short description of how to do each art.
9. Fulfill one of the following categories:
   1. Submit an activity sheet listing at least three AJJF Sanctioned mat activities attended per year as Nidan, signed by each activity's director, or signed by him/herself if director.
      OR
   2. Serve a three-year term as an active member of the AJJF Operations Committee as a National Manager or Committee Chair
      AND
      Submit Activity Sheet listing at least two AJJF Sanctioned mat activities attended per year as Nidan, signed by each activity's director, or signed by him/herself if the director.
   Massage classes do not qualify as mat activities.
10. Request a Time-In-Grade letter from Central Office.
11. Find out from Examinations Committee Chair or Regional Examination Coordinator:
    1. Should candidate mail his/her documents, or bring them to the exam?
    2. Does the candidate need to pre-register for the exam date?
    3. How much is the fee for examinations?
12. Have in notebook, and subject to examination, a Yawara Stick Course.
13. Be able to demonstrate:
    1. Any or all of the basic arts listed in Nidan and Shodan, as requested by a majority of the examining board.
    2. Shinyo No Maki
       1. Gyaku Hizagaruma
       2. Tsuki Hazushi Kotemaki
       3. Tsukikome Dome
       4. Sune Shime
       5. Saru Shime
       6. Tobi Tsuki Tenada
       7. Obi Otoshi
       8. Sennin Gake
       9. Mune Dori
       10. Tsurigane Otoshi
       11. Inazuma
       12. Denko
       13. Kasumi Dori
       14. Shishi Otoshi
14. Be able to demonstrate eight additional methods of resuscitation and basic Seifukujitsu.
15. Be able to demonstrate taping techniques for: Sprains; Dislocations; Supports; Wound Closures. Take and pass a written Athletic Taping Examination.
16. Take a written examination, demonstrating knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology.
    1. The exam will cover: Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous and Circulatory systems.
    2. Refer to the Anatomy Study Guide for Sandan Exam.
       A written A&P Examination is valid for 1 year from the date it is taken and passed. Massage Module I examinations taken after September 10, 2005 DO NOT satisfy this requirement.

17. Meet the standards of Ethics as set forth in the document Code of Conduct and Procedures for Conflict Resolution

Further Information

• "Examination for Blackbelt"
• "Regulations, Policies, Procedures For Blackbelt Exams"

Forms

• Application for Examination
• Sensei Recommendation Letter
• Examination Activity Record Sheet

Publications

• AJJF Kata Manual
• Code of Conduct and Procedures for Conflict Resolution
• AJJF Taping Manual

Contacts

• Senior Professor
• Board of Professors
• Examinations Committee Chair - regarding exam procedures
• Central Office - regarding Time-In-Grade letter and forms
• Regional Manager or Regional Examination Coordinator - regarding dates, times, locations of exams.