​International Standards
for Minimum Age & Time in Grade Requirements
​for Black Belt Ranks

The MAIF National Technical Committee has instituted minimal time in grade and age requirements for all Dan ranks for promotion to MAIF Rank. The Time in Grade requirements are the generally accepted International standards.

Note: "Minimum" Time-In-Grade is only considered for exceptionally active MAIF Leaders working at the Regional, National or International Level to further the development of Martial Arts.

Rank - Minimum Age - Minimum Time In Grade, Previous Rank - "Normal" Time in Grade, Previous Rank

SHODAN, 1st Degree
Minimum Age =16 years old
Mininum Time In Grade = 9 Months
Normal Time in Grade = 12-16 Months

NIDAN, 2nd Degree
Minimum Age = 18 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 1 year
Normal Time In Grade = 1 - 2 years

SANDAN, 3rd Degree
Minimum Age = 20 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 2 years
Normal Time In Grade = 2 - 4 years

YONDAN, 4th Degree
Minimum Age = 25 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 3 years
Normal Time In Grade = 3 - 5 years

GODAN, 5th Degree
Minimum Age = 30 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 4 years
Normal Time In Grade = 4 - 6 years

ROKUDAN, 6th Degree  (Regional Leader)
Minimum Age = 35 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 5 years
Normal Time In Grade = 6 - 8 years

SHICHIDAN, 7th Degree   (Regional Leader)
Minimum Age = 40 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 6 years
Normal Time In Grade = 8 - 10 years

HACHIDAN, 8th Degree  (National Leader)
Minimum Age = 50 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 7 years
Normal Time In Grade = 9 - 11 years

KUDAN, 9th Degree  (International Leader)
Minimum Age = 60 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 8 years
Normal Time In Grade = 12 - 14 years

JUDAN, 10th Degree  (International Leader)
Minimum Age = 70 years old
Minimum Time In Grade = 9 years
Normal Time In Grade = 13 - 16 years