All Blue Dragon TKD certification is globally recognised …

Examination Requirements

All examinations are subject to the rules and regulations of the Unified International Taekwon-Do Federation (UITF).  BDTKD strictly enforces ITF standards to ensure that members can be assured that their achievements are globally recognised … guaranteed.

Grading Examination Applications

All applications must be received by the club Instructor/Secretary on or before the advertised application deadline.  This will be announced well in advance on the event page on this website. Only applications on the official form will be accepted.  All fees must be sent through Paypal and the correct payment reference marked on the application form. Grading Fees can be paid by cheque made payable to BDTKD.

Examiner’s Certification

Blue Dragon TKD Examination Panels are always headed by a Unified ITF Certified Examiner.

– Certified ITF International Instructor
– Current Unified ITF Charter Certificate

Under Unified ITF regulations an examiner may certify a student up to the following grades:

Examiner	Authority (up to and including)
IV Dan	II Dan
V Dan	II Dan
VI Dan	III Dan
VII Dan	VI Dan
Unified ITF Masters Promotion Committee	VIII Dan
Unified ITF Board of Directors & General Assembly	IX Dan

Minimum Promotion Requirements

It is assumed in all cases, that the minimum requirements include the entire syllabus for physical performance and theory appropriate to each grade and available to all members in the member area.

Grade	Belt	Minimum Requirements
9th Kup	Yellow Stripe	2 months training You must ensure that you have included a current passport style photo in your license book.
8th Kup	Yellow	2 months training You should own a full set of approved sparring equipment to include headguard, foot and hand protectors, gum shield.  Shin guards are mandatory for juniors (optional for adults) and groin guards are mandatory for all males.
7th Kup	Green Stripe	3 months training
6th Kup	Green	3 months training
5th Kup	Blue Stripe	3 months training
4th Kup	Blue	3 months training
3rd Kup	Red Stripe	4 months training
2nd Kup	Red	4 months training If you intend to be considered for national or continental representative teams, or tournament sparring participation, you are required to own a full set of RED and BLUE approved sparring equipment to include headguard, foot and hand protectors, gum shield.  Shin guards are mandatory for juniors (optional for adults) and groin guards are mandatory for all males.
1st Kup	Black Stripe	5 months training
I Dan	Black	6 months training, minimum age 10 years
II Dan	Black	18 months training, minimum age 14 years 3 months can be deducted if the candidate participates at one or more IIC during preparation period.
III Dan	Black	2 years months training, minimum age 16 years. 3 months can be deducted if the candidate participates at one or more IIC during preparation period.
IV Dan	Black	3 years training, minimum age 21 years, 1 IIC must be attended during preparation period. 6 months can be deducted if the candidate participates at one or more IIC during preparation period.
V Dan	Black	4 years training, 1 IIC must be attended during preparation period. 6 months can be deducted if the candidate participates at one or more IIC during preparation period.
VI Dan	Black	5 years training, 1 IIC must be attended during preparation period. 6 months can be deducted if the candidate participates at one or more IIC during preparation period.
VII Dan (Master)	Black	6 years training, 2 IIC’s must be attended during preparation period.
VIII Dan (Master)	Black	7 years training, 2 IIC’s must be attended during preparation period. Curriculum vitae, Thesis, Letter of approval of NA or AA are also required.
IX Dan (Grand Master)	Black	8 years active training, must participate at least at two IIC’s during the preparation period plus:- endorsement and nomination by min. three 9th Degrees – long standing and accomplished ambassador for Taekwon-Do in home country – attendance at tribunal of the Master Promotion Committee panelAdditionally the promotion committee may require: – a special work given by the Board of Directors and complied by the candidate – having under his Leadership/Instruction 3 Masters in activity

Grading Fees

Grade	Fee	Includes
10th Kup – 1st Kup	£25.00 per Kup grade	Physical Examination & Oral Theory Test Belt (where required) ITF Certificate signed by authorised ITF International Instructor There is no fee for examination retakes, for candidates who fail promotion tests.
1st Degree (I Dan)	£150.00	Physical Examination & Oral Theory Test plus and essay on your choice of Taekwon-Do subject. ITF Approved Embroidered Belt with Candidates Names and Grade UITF International Degree Certificate ITF Black Belt Lapel Badge Additionally, candidates may pre-order a Black Belt Dobok, with appropriate trim for £40.00 There is no fee for examination retakes, for candidates who fail promotion tests.
2nd Degree (II Dan)	£175.00	Physical Examination & Oral Theory Test ITF Approved Embroidered Belt with Candidates Names and Grade UITF International Degree Certificate There is no fee for examination retakes, for candidates who fail promotion tests.
3rd Degree (III Dan)	£200.00	Physical Examination & Oral Theory Test ITF Approved Embroidered Belt with Candidates Names and Grade UITF International Degree Certificate There is no fee for examination retakes, for candidates who fail promotion tests.
IV Degree (IV Dan)	Current ITF Certification Fees (Please verify with your instructor)	Application to Unified ITF HQ for permission for testing External Examiner Fees Physical Examination Oral & Written Theory Test Consideration of Thesis ITF Approved Embroidered Belt with Candidates Names and Grade UITF International Degree Certificate
Promotion to grades above IV Dan are subject to prevailing international requirements and fees.  Members may be required to test at venues or events designated by the UITF or National Governing Body.

Colour Belt Grading Results

Examiners have absolute discretion to award the following results for colour belt examinations:

• Fail
• Recertification/Acceptance of current grade*
• Pass
• Distinction (A Grade)

Candidates who achieve a pass at Distinction level may reduce the minimum time between examinations by 50%. Candidates who fail colour belt examinations may retake the examination with no further fee requirement.

*’Recertification/Acceptance of current grade’ is only available to colourbelt members who may have joined Blue Dragon TKD having already achieved grade promotion from non-ITF groups.   Any requirement for recertification is entirely at the discretion of the Instructor of the individual concerned. 

Black Belt Grading Results

Examiners are expected to award results in accordance with ITF current guidelines.  Candidates will be advised of pertaining guidelines upon application.

NON-ITF Black Belt Certification

Blue Dragon TKD only awards, and therefore will only recognise, black belt certification issued by the legally recognised international governing body for Unified ITF Taekwon-Do.  We reserve the absolute right to refuse to accept any black belt certification from non-ITF Groups, or, at our discretion, refer cases to the ITF Secretariat for individual consideration. We strongly recommend to those who may be considering taking up Taekwon-Do, that they ensure that any club or group that they choose is legally constituted, appropriately insured, and registered with the correct legal governing body for ITF Taekwon-Do.  Blue Dragon TKD will be pleased to verify the ITF status of any school in our operating districts.  Please Contact Us for more information. Publication of Examination ResultsResults of all grading examinations will be published at www.bdtkd.co.uk and may be referred to local or national media groups for onward publication (subject to our child protection policies and procedure, where appropriate).