Effective September 1, 2008

General Requirements:
IUKF Dantest International Standards Guide: Found in the Black Belt Test Guide and described in detail on the IUKF Web Site. [Note: The Board of Directors has, since 2005, been evaluating and clarifying the rules and standards regarding the Black Belt Tests. The results of this work will be published in the IUKF special edition of the Black Belt Test Guide "e-book 2nd edition ", which is given to all members of IUKF.

One major change to the Okinawa test standards: All candidates fifty years old or younger, will have to participate in the sparring portion of the test. The existing waivers for sparring will continue to be in force.

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Shodan through Godan

Two tests/year, plus an additional test at the SummerFestfor those candidates who do not live in proximity to a test board.

Dantests: The Regional Test Administrator may scheduled a test at any time.

Submission of dantest applications must be sent to the Regional Test Administrator at least 30 days in advance of the test date. Signed and completed (latest version) dantest forms, with full payment.

Senior Rank Demonstration: (6th degree and above):

To be held at SummerFest yearly
Attendance to be limited to Uechi-Ryu Dans, also each candidate can invite up to four (4) guests. Master level degrees, Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi degrees are awarded separately, unless all thesis requirements have been met prior to the physical test. Stripes and Master ranks are NOT automatically awarded with senior ranks.

Test requirements for the masters' ranks (6-8 dan) are the performance of Sanchin, Seisan and Sanseiryu on Saturday evening at SummerFest.

9th dan: Performance of favorite kata

Requirements for Rank

We continue to use the Black Belt Test Guide rank standards. These standards are those currently being used on Okinawa.

The Formal Test

• Sanchin
• Designated Kata
• Exercises (Lead in both Japanese and English)
• Kote Kitae (and Ashi Kitae)- 3 reps each or until told to switch.
• Seisan Bunkai
• Dan Kumite - Not micromanaged *** Canadian Chapter Option
• Sparring- Using "techniques that advance the Uechi sparring philosophy" - Candidates over the age of 50(or those candidates who, because of permanent physical disabilities) must meet some other fighting requirement, either a self-defense drill, a spontaneous or attack drill.
• Written Test/Oral Test - The question and answer portion of the test may be done at the test or may be administered with a written test. An 85% is required for passing, and this must be indicated on the Dan Test Application. This means this must occur at least 30 days before the test date.

Seisan Bunkai and Dan Kumite

• Candidates should be required to square up after each set
• Candidates should be allowed to do the Bunkai with someone they know - even a non-testing individual from their Dojo.
• Those candidates who do not have a home Dojo partner will be assigned one and candidate will be tested on the defense portion only.
• Dan Kumite can be done as per practiced in individual's Dojo.
• Techniques and how applied must be effective however.
• Sandan and above will be granted creative license in their performance of Bunkai/Kumite but not at the Nidan level.

To join the IUKF - - - Application Form

For Black Belt Test - - - Application forms