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Dan Ranking and Teaching Titles

SMAA dan and teaching titles are based on technical ability, teaching ability, and character development. In the case of dan grades, more emphasis is placed on technical ability. Teaching titles, which are more difficult to achieve, place more emphasis on personal development and teaching ability. (Teaching titles allow instructors to recommend individuals to the SMAA for ranks within one level of their own.)

APPLICATION FORMS Prospective members: print the Application for New Members Current members: print the Application for Current Members

The support one has given the SMAA, the recommendations of one's seniors in the SMAA, and the contributions that one has made to the martial arts, are major considerations for promotion. SMAA time requirements for promotion apply to members with prior SMAA rank. In the case of uniquely talented individuals and/or professional instructors, an altered schedule of promotion may be approved by the officials of SMAA. Time requirements for Fuku Shihan, Shihan, and So-shihan can be waived for qualified instructors when they initially join the SMAA.

Requirements for SMAA Dan Promotions
Shodan	At least 2 years of training and over the age of 16
Nidan	More than 18 months after Shodan
Sandan	More than two years after Nidan
Yodan	More than three years after Sandan and at least Fuku-shidoin title
Godan	More than four years after Yodan and at least Shidoin title
Rokudan	More than five years after Godan
Shichidan	More than six years after Rokudan and at least Fuku-shihan title
Hachidan	More than seven years after Shichidan, at least Shihan title, and at least 50 years old

Requirements for SMAA Teaching Titles
Fuku-shidoin	Written essay, magazine article, or book (500 word minimum) about any aspect of budo or bujutsu (minimum rank of Shodan)
Shidoin	Written essay, magazine article, or book (500 word minimum) about any aspect of budo or bujutsu (minimum rank of Sandan)
Fuku-shihan	At least two years after Yodan and written essay, magazine article, or book (2000 word minimum) about any aspect of budo or bujutsu (minimum rank of Yodan)
Shihan	At least two years after Rokudan and written essay, magazine article, or book (2000 word minimum) about any aspect of budo or bujutsu (minimum rank of Rokudan)
So-shihan	At least two years after Shichidan and written essay, magazine article, or book (2000 word minimum) about any aspect of budo or bujutsu (minimum rank of Shichidan)