INFORMATION ABOUT
BELT PROMOTION PROCEDURE

Recognition of qualifications and conditions for recertification

1. At the discretion of the Organization's leadership, any qualification previously obtained in Kudo (Daido Juku) is recognized as equivalent.
To ensure that the Organization's leadership makes a decision, the applicant must provide documentary evidence of their Kudo qualifications and undergo an interview with authorized representatives of the Organization to verify their knowledge, understanding, and compliance with the Organization's goals and principles, as well as the Bujin Shinkudoryu Competition Rules.

2. At the discretion of the Organization's leadership, recognition of equivalent qualifications is possible for full-contact martial arts whose technical arsenal and competition rules include a combination of punches, kicks, throws, and ground fighting (hereinafter referred to as MMA Karate), and whose qualification gradation includes a Dan/Kyu rank system (or their equivalents) and corresponding belts. These martial arts include Zendokai Budo Karate, TsuShinGen, Kempo, Ukado, All-Style Karate with Protective Equipment, HapkiDo, hand-to-hand combat, and other styles and disciplines that meet the specified criteria.
2.1. To ensure that the Organization's management makes a decision, the applicant must provide documentary evidence of their existing qualifications and undergo an interview with authorized representatives of the Organization to verify their knowledge, understanding, and compliance with the Organization's goals and principles, as well as the Bujin Shinkudoryu Competition Rules.
2.2. The qualification recognition procedure automatically awards the applicant an equivalent Bujin Shinkudoryu qualification based on a probationary period of at least six months and a final seminar/camp or other training event conducted by the Organization's management, without additional certification testing.
2.3. Further qualification development occurs in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the Qualification Requirements.
2.4. The Organization's management reserves the right to deny recognition of an applicant's existing qualifications in other disciplines as equivalent and recommend that they undergo the Bujin Shinkudoryu certification to confirm their skills.
2.5. Recognition of qualifications is permitted for ranks from 10 Kyu to 2 Dan, inclusive.

3. At the discretion of the Organization's management, recertification from equivalent qualifications is possible for full-contact martial arts whose technical arsenal and competition rules do not fully encompass punches, kicks, throws, and ground fighting, and whose qualification gradation involves a Dan/Kyu rank system (or their equivalents) and corresponding belts. Such martial arts include Kyokushin, Ashihara, Enshin, Oyama, Shidokan, Shindokaikan, Seiwakai, Budokai, Koshiki karate, as well as other styles and disciplines that meet the specified criteria.
3.1. To ensure a decision is made by the Organization's management, the applicant must provide documentary evidence of their existing qualifications and undergo an interview with authorized persons of the Organization to determine their knowledge, understanding, and compliance with the goals and principles of the Organization, as well as the Bujin Shinkudōryū Competition Rules.
3.2. Recertification is conducted based on the results of a probationary period of at least six months and a final seminar/camp, or other training event conducted by the Organization's management.
3.3. The recertification procedure involves passing a limited certification test, during which the applicant must demonstrate mastery of the Bujin Shinkudōryū technical arsenal, as well as the strategy and tactics of fighting according to the rules of Shinkudo. When recertifying applicants who are part of the coaching and instructional staff, special attention is paid to their level of proficiency and understanding of technique. For this category of applicants, the number of matches may be minimized at the discretion of the Organization's management.
3.4. Further professional development occurs in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the Qualification Requirements.
3.5. The Organization's management reserves the right to deny recognition of an applicant's existing qualifications in other disciplines and recommend that they undergo Bujin Shinkudoryu certification to confirm their skills.
3.6. Recertification is permitted for ranks from 10 Kyu up to and including 2 Dan.

4. By decision of the Organization's management, applicants who are active athletes in full-contact martial arts whose technical arsenal and competition rules include a combination of punches, kicks, throws, and ground fighting, and who hold the sports title of "Master of Sports of Russia" or the sports rank of "Candidate for Master of Sports of Russia" (or their equivalent), may be recognized with the qualification of 1 Kyu or 3 Kyu, respectively. Such martial arts include Combat Sambo, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, Pankration, Universal Combat, Hand-to-Hand Combat, and other disciplines that meet the specified criteria.
4.1. To ensure that the Organization's management makes a decision, the applicant must provide documentary evidence of their existing athletic qualifications and undergo an interview with authorized representatives of the Organization to verify their knowledge, understanding, and compliance with the Organization's goals and principles, as well as the Bujin Shinkudoryu Competition Rules.
4.2. The qualification recognition procedure entails the automatic assignment of the corresponding Bujin Shinkudoryu qualification to the applicant based on the completion of a six-month probationary period and a final seminar/camp or other educational and training event conducted by the Organization's management, without additional certification testing.
4.3. Further qualification development occurs in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the Qualification Requirements.
4.4. The Organization's management reserves the right to deny recognition of existing qualifications in other areas and recommend that the applicant undergo Bujin Shinkudoryu certification to confirm their skills.
4.5. Martial arts representatives who are part of the coaching and instructional staff, taking into account the specific nature of their work, are eligible for certification for 1 Dan Bujin Shinkudoryu.

5. Applicants with a qualification of at least 1 Dan (or equivalent) in traditional karate styles and other martial arts whose competition rules do not stipulate full-contact bouts may, at the discretion of the Organization's leadership, be admitted to certification for a qualification one or two ranks lower (for example, a 1 Dan in WKF karate may qualify for 2 or 1 Kyu Bujin Shinkudoryu). In this case, the certification process is complete.

6. Other decisions are made by the Organization's leadership on a case-by-case basis.

Admission criteria for Belt promotion

1. Official competitive practice for children begins at the age of 12, with certification for 10 Kyu permitted upon reaching the age of 6.
2. When deciding whether to admit an applicant to Belt promotion, the following factors are taken into account:

• regularity of training;
• mental readiness to pass the Kyu/Dan test;
• adherence to the principles and values ​​of the Organization;
• knowledge and skills in technical arsenal;
• level of physical fitness;
• combat skills and abilities;
• participation in events held by the Organization and contribution to development (participation in training camps, seminars, competitions, assistance in organizing sporting events, etc.).

3. Individuals who have not participated in the educational and training process for 6 months or more are allowed to advance their qualifications only after confirming their existing level. Applicants must regularly attend training for at least a month prior to confirmation during the Belt promotion process. If the applicant's existing qualifications are successfully confirmed, they are allowed to advance to a higher level at the next assessment, provided they maintain regular training.
4. For active athletes, competitive experience is taken into account.
5. For applicants who show signs of potential improvement through competitive experience, as well as those who have transferred from other martial arts, assessment for a higher rank, but not higher than 4 Kyu, may be conducted at the request of their immediate mentor.
6. A similar procedure is permitted for active instructors with the corresponding qualification rank.
7. Time periods required for admission to the next assessment:

• 10 Kyu – 2 Kyu: assessment for the next kyu is permitted six months after the previous assessment;
• 1 Kyu – 1 Dan: at least one year after assessment for the current kyu;
• 2 Dan and above: at least the number of years equivalent to the next rank (e.g., to be eligible for 3 Dan Belt promotion, the rank of 2 Dan must be held for at least 3 years).

8. Persons over 18 years of age are assessed for 1 Kyu during the master rank assessment process by participating in winter or summer schools, training camps, or other training events held by the Organization's leadership. It is recommended that they also be assessed for 2 Kyu in a similar manner.
9. Persons under 18 years of age may be assessed for 2 and 1 Kyu in their Branch. However, such applicants are recommended to be assessed for brown belts during winter or summer schools, training camps, or other training events held by the Organization's leadership.
10. If a candidate for the Dan test has reached the age of 18 but has no experience of attending winter or summer schools, training camps, or other training events conducted by the Organization's management, they are permitted to take the exam only after completing the aforementioned events and confirming their current qualifications. In this case, the Dan test may be taken at a subsequent event, but not earlier than six months later, taking into account the previously specified time periods.
11. Applicants for admission to the Dan test must additionally meet the following requirements.
12.1. Active athletes, coaching staff, and individuals performing administrative functions, who must combine such activities with regular training, are permitted to be certified for 1 Dan. These candidates must have knowledge of the rules of Bujin Shinkudoryu and have experience as a referee. At least one year of training experience must have passed since the previous qualification was awarded.
12.2. Active athletes, coaching staff, and individuals performing administrative functions, who must combine such activities with regular training, are eligible for 2 Dan Belt promotion. Active athletes must have experience instructing at least five individuals in groups and/or individually. Coaching staff must have regular groups and/or individuals training individually. Those training must include holders of 4 Kyu or higher.
These candidates must also have previously served as referees. Their training experience must be at least two years since the previous qualification was awarded.
12.3. Active athletes, coaches, and instructors are eligible for certification for 3 Dan and above, as are individuals performing administrative functions who must combine such functions with regular training. Active athletes and coaches must have regular groups and/or individual training. Students must include holders of 4 Kyu and above. Advanced training must be accompanied by an increase in the number and qualifications of students.
Candidates performing administrative functions must adequately ensure the development and promotion of the Organization.
Applicants for the Dan test must be involved in refereeing. Their training experience since receiving their previous qualification must be at least equal to the number of years the candidate is applying for.

The final decision on admission to certification and the conditions for its completion is made by the Organization's leadership.

Regulations for conducting of Belt promotion test

1. The instructor/coach completes the established application form and submits it to the Branch Chief.
2. The application must be submitted no later than one week prior to the scheduled Belt promotion date.
3. Applicants applying for Belt promotion must have a medical certificate from a medical institution stating the absence of contraindications to certification.
4. Applicants must have a voluntary life and health insurance policy that meets the following requirements:

• The insurance policy must be valid for at least 12 months and fully cover the entire sports year.
• A policy that expires before the end of the sports year must be renewed subject to the specified requirements.
• The total insurance coverage must be at least US $ 3000 (or equivalent).
• The insurance policy must be valid throughout the Russian Federation. For other countries, it must be valid throughout the country where the certification is being held.
• Validity period: 24 hours a day (including classes and competitions in contact martial arts).
• The insurance policy must clearly indicate Shinkudo or contact martial arts training and competitions, or similar language confirming the athlete's protection during training and competition.
• Insurance company representatives must be notified of the specifics of the sport in which the applicant participates.

5. The presence of an instructor/coach during the Belt promotion test is strictly mandatory.
6. The uniform for those being Belt promotion test is a white dogi (for members of the certification committee, at the discretion of the Organization's management).
7. For each section of the Belt promotion program, the applicant is given one grade: "pass" or "fail". Multiple grades cannot be given for the same section.
8. Throughout the Belt promotion test, the applicant's compliance with discipline, rules of conduct in the dojo, and the principles of Budo are assessed as "pass" or "fail". This grade is significant and is evaluated along with the others when summing up the results of the Belt promotion.
9. The decision on the assessment results is made based on the aggregate of pass/fail grades for each assessment section. As a rule, assessment is considered successful if there are no more than two fail grades. However, in certain cases, the final decision may be made taking into account the opinion of the Organization's management.
10. Positive assessment results are recorded in the Organization's database and confirmed by a certificate.