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.)
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) |
