Examination for Blackbelt

Description

This section outlines the information necessary to take an AJJF Blackbelt Examination.

For all references, below, to "forms" refer in this handbook to the Forms section.

Further Information

Timeline for Action:

1. Candidate's Responsibilities Before Exam

1. Successfully complete a First Aid and CPR class
   1. First Aid and CPR must be current.
   2. Take the class early enough to receive certification cards.
2. Fill out an Application for Examination form.
3. Request a Letter of Recommendation from Sensei.
4. Complete the AJJF Ethics and Risk Management Class and obtain proof of attendance.
   
5. Complete notebook describing all the techniques required for the rank level.
6. Fill out AJJF Activity Sheet or Budo Pass with at least 3 Sanctioned AJJF mat activities within the year preceding the exam.
   1. Must include at least one Kata, Freestyle or Demo Contest (Shodan and Nidan).
      1. Attach copies of score sheets from the contest
   2. The director of each activity must sign the Activity Sheet or Budo Pass.
   3. A signature from the instructor of an AJJF Ethics and Risk Management Class may serve as proof of attendance.
      
7. Request a "Time-In-Grade" letter from Central Office at least 8 weeks before the exam.
   1. Shodan - must have been a current AJJF member for 12 consecutive months prior to examining.
   2. Above Shodan ranks - must be a member during entire period of Time-In-Grade required to examine in the next rank.
   3. Policy Statement, from the Board of Professors, 3/9/79:
      "One year's Time-In-Grade will be lost if renewal dues are not paid within 90 days from expiration date."
   4. Central Office will send a copy to the candidate for his/her records.
   5. Sensei may submit a request to waive the time in grade requirement for candidates who do not have sufficient time-in-grade. The appropriate form is the Time In Grade Request for Waiver
8. Effective June 15, 2008 Request for Back Ground Screen at least 8 weeks before exam.
9. To pre-register, mail application for examination to the Examinations Committee Chair or Regional Examination Coordinator, by U.S. mail, to reserve an exam space.
   1. The number of examinees is limited for each exam.
   2. Insufficient pre-registrations may result in cancellation of that exam date.
10. Give the following to the Examinations Committee Chair, or the Regional Examination Coordinator.

    References in this handbook to "Examinations Committee Chair" may refer to a "Regional Examination Coordinator" in the event that there is a Regional Examination Coordinator.

    Candidate will be asked to either mail the documents, or to bring them to the exam.

    1. Application for Examination
    2. AJJF Activity Sheet (3 Activities, signed by Director of Activity)
       1. Include score sheets from AJJF Kata or Freestyle Contest or Demo Contest participation certificate(Shodan and Nidan)
       2. Include proof of attendance at an AJJF Ethics and Risk Management Class (does not count as one of the 3 activities)
          
    3. Copy of current First Aid card
    4. Copy of current CPR card
    5. Letter of Recommendation from candidate's Sensei (in a sealed envelope)
    6. Copy of current AJJF membership card
    7. An Ethics Statement signed by the candidate
       
    8. Request from Central Office a Time-In-Grade letter
    9. A check made out to the AJJF - Examination fees are listed on Application for Examination, or check with Examinations Committee Chair for amount

2. The Day of the Exam

1. Candidate should arrive early to register with Examinations Committee Chair or the Regional Examination Coordinator.
2. Candidate should bring:
   1. Completed notebook
   2. Sufficient athletic tape for the taping examination.
      Or submit a copy of a successfully completed taping exam given as part of an authorized AJJF Taping Clinic, within the past 12 months.
   3. Tanto and Tanju
   4. All documents, if previously not asked to mail them.
3. Candidate should choose an uke of the appropriate rank, from the group of uke provided at the time of the exam.
4. Candidate will demonstrate his/her skill and knowledge to the examiners.

Examinees who complete the examination will receive a letter stating that they have completed the mat examination. Promotion to an AJJF Blackbelt will be determined after consideration by the AJJF Board of Professors.

3. After the Exam

1. Results of the mat examination are sent to the Examinations Committee Chair
2. Examinations Committee Chair notifies Board of Professors of results and asks for determination.
3. Board of Professors contacts Examinations Committee Chair with their determination.
4. If exam is successful, a letter of congratulations is sent to the candidate and the certificate is sent to Sensei.
   1. At the examinations administered at annual convention, certificates are presented to successful examinees at the banquet.
5. Examinations Committee Chair notifies:
   1. Central Office, for records change.
   2. Kiai Echo, for publication announcement.
   3. Operations Committee, to include in meeting minutes.
   4. AJJF Webmaster, to include on the Blackbelts page and blackbelts@ajjf.org email list.

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.

Forms

Look in the "Forms" section of this handbook. The AJJF gives permission to copy any item found in the Forms section.

• Sensei Letter of Recommendation
• Application for Examinations
• Ethics Statement
  
• Examination Activity Record Sheet
• Sample of the AJJF Athletic Taping Examination
• Study Guide for Anatomy Coloring Book (third edition) for Sandan Examination
• Time In Grade Request for Waiver
• Contact Central Office for additional copies of these forms, or use the forms as originals to make your own copies.

Documents

These documents are found within this School handbook:

• Regulations, Policies, and Procedures Regarding Blackbelt Examinations
• Time-In-Grade Letter
• AJJF Athletic Taping Examination
• Blackbelt Exam Caller
• Study Guide for Anatomy Coloring Book - Sandan Examination
• Examination Techniques and Descriptions
• Requirements for Shodan
• Requirements for Nidan
• Requirements for Sandan
• Requirements for Yodan
• Requirements for Godan
• Requirements for Professor
• Rules to the Exam Candidate
• Rules to the Examiners

Historical Documents, stating policy decisions:

• Board of Professors' 1982 meeting
• Dojo Rank Policy Restatement
• Suspension of Dan Examinations
• Policy Statement