Upon qualifying, Member Organizations, Systems or Clubs (and their members) will be eligible to be awarded two certificates:

(I) One for System Recognition and another for:

(II) Rank Recognition.

Once a system is "vetted" by our technical committee (recognized systems and organizations are exempt) and a "Certificate of System Recognition" is issued, a system's Soke, Headmaster or Head Instructor may then submit his/her students' names and details for an ITMA Certificate of Rank Recognition. "Vetted" and/or recognized Systems/Clubs/Organizations will have total autonomy to promote within their systems or organizations without any interference from ITMA. If ITMA certificates are requested, however, these will be issued if an Organization or System has been "vetted (or has been exempted) and meets the following two requirements (in the case of Rank Recognition). These are:

(i) Age of the candidate and (ii) time in rank (for black belt promotions only). The Institute requires that all candidates wishing to receive Shodan Recognition Certificates (or equivalent), or higher, must be at least 16 years of age. In addition, they must meet the following normal time-in-rank requirements (under exceptional circumstances variances may be issued so long as there is majority support from the Board of Directors).

Normal Time in Rank

To Shodan: A minimum of one year in rank as a registered Ikkyu
To Nidan: A minimum of two years in rank as a registered Shodan
To Sandan: A minimum of three years in rank as a registered Nidan
To Yodan: A minimum of four years in rank as a registered Sandan
To Godan: A minimum of five years in rank as a registered Yodan
To Rokudan: A minimum of six years in rank as a registered Godan
To Shichidan: A min imum of seven years in rank as a registered Rokudan
To Hachidan: A minimum of eight years in rank as a registered Shichidan
To Kudan: A minimum of nine years in rank as a registered Hachidan
To Judan: A minimum of ten years in rank as a registered Kudan

NOTE: All black belt (or equiv.) rank recognition requests must originate from a Head Instructor (and his/her technical group) from the system, club or organization of the candidate in question. The Institute of Traditional Martial Arts at UNM does NOT promote. Our function is to recognize rank from "VETTED" and/or recognized systems, clubs or organizations and issue appropriate UNM Institute Certificates of Rank Recognition.

The "Vetting" Process (recognized systems are exempt)

If you would like to submit your System, Club or Organization's details for "vetting" please include the following information:

1. Name of your System, Club or Organization (with address, website URL and phone number)
2. Founder of your system
3. Current Soke (or equivalent title) of your system
4. Origins of your system (with dates) and lineage (where appropriate)
5. Names and ranks of at least FOUR of your senior black belts (or equivalents)
6. A copy of your promotion requirements providing information on specific skills, time in rank requirements, and theory and terminology required by rank level
7. A document outlining your system's philosophy and principles (Densho or equivalent)
8. A DVD in which your students (or instructors) demonstrate kata or some typical techniques that characterize your system

VETTING FEES (for System, Organizational or Club Recognition Certificate)

(I) Organizational, System or Club vetting (with certificate) has a ONE TIME fee of $100 (NO vetting required of established Systems or Organizations).

(II) For Individual Applicants who do NOT hold rank in a recognized System or Organization there is a one time fee of $50 (includes UNM Certificates of System and/or Rank Recognition).

NOTE: Established Systems and Organizations will not be required to go through a vetting process.

Rank Recognition Fees

Rank Recognition with ITMA certificate costs $30 for each mudansha level and $50 for each yudansha level up to the rank of Godan. Rokudan and higher has a fee of $100 for each rank level.

Annual GROUP Membership Fees for Organizations, Systems or Clubs

(I) For Organizations, annual membership fee is $100

(II) For Systems, annual membership fee is $25

(III) For Clubs, annual membership fee is $20

Individual Membership Fee

Individual martial artists may join the UNM Institute for an annual fee of $15. To receive certificates for System Recognition and/or Rank Recognition additional fees apply (see above).

For Board Members, Representatives, Institute Advisers and Technical Consultants

(I) Board Members: No annual membership fee. System and Rank Recognition certificates cost $12 for all ITMA members Board of Directors; Senior Institute Advisers; Technical Consultants and National/International Representatives). Upon receiving a Certificate of Rank Recognition an instructor may award such certificates to his/her students at a reduced fee of $6 per student. At this time Certificates of Rank Recognition are issued ONLY to ITMA members.

Please mail all relevant material to:(please wait until we complete the formation of the Institute)

Chair, System and Rank Recognition Committee
Institute of Traditional Martial Arts
Dept. of Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences
MSC04 2610 (Johnson Center)
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

**Some Definitions