Student:
A student is a person who actively studies Uechi-ryu from a Uechi-ryu Karate Association: North American Chapter (IUKF) instructor.

Apprentice Instructor: (Shidoin)
A student who is at least of Brown Belt rank and is in a program where he/she is learning how to teach. An Apprentice Instructor may assist in class, but only while supervised by an Instructor or Full Instructor.

Instructor:
An instructor is a person who actively studies Uechi-ryu and teaches Uechi-ryu to others.

Master Instructor:
A Master Instructor in Uechi-ryu is acknowledged as having superior skills in teaching the art to others and who has been awarded the rank of 5th degree black belt or higher from IUKF and who has been awarded a Master instructor certificate from IUKF.

Shihan:
A special rating awarded by the IUKF to individuals possession superior skills and teaching abilities in activities, techniques and skills, having a unique and specialized benefit to IUKF and/or members of IUKF. This ability may be in the art of Uechi-ryu or in non-Uechi-ryu areas. A "Shihan" is an individual acknowledged to be someone qualified to teach their special skills in a safe and professional manner.

Uechi-ryu Master
IUKF members who hold the rank of 4th degree black belt or higher and in addition have been awarded the title of Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi or Hanshi-Sei. IUKF may confer Uechi-ryu Master Titles to qualified individuals who meet all of the standards and requirements for these titles. A Renshi may wear a gold tab on both ends of the belt. A Kyoshi may wear 2 gold tabs and a Hanshi may wear 3 gold tabs. There is no special belt designation for Grandmasters who attain the title of Hanshi-sei.