Frequently Asked Questions for Instructors

Certified Martial Arts

1. I'm a qualified instructor, but I'm not on good terms with my instructor. How do you handle this situation?
   
   

   We understand that differences may occur between instructors and their pupils, especially when the students go off and start their own schools. Please inform us if there is some difference of opinion between you and the teacher who last promoted you. We do our best to reconcile these situations and get you certified accurately. The easiest way to resolve this problem in the absence of a large association that recognizes your rank is to provide us a signed copy of your last promotional certificate. We will contact the instructor who signed the certificate.

   We do not recognize the practice of "demoting" or withdrawing ranks from students or instructors. We do, however, recognize and note when ranks are considered inactive by the school or association. If you completed the agreed upon training/testing and received a valid, signed certificate from your instructor, then we will certify your rank. In some cases we may note that the rank is considered inactive or contested in some way.

   If we cannot certify your rank because of a valid dispute with your instructor (falsification/forgery do not qualify as a valid dispute), we will continue to process you as a Registered Martial Artist. You will then have 30 days to submit additional information to complete/correct the certification process.

2. Do I need to take any specific classes or tests?
   
   No. To become a Certified Martial Artist you need only to pass the background investigation and present adequate proof of your martial arts instructor credentials. There is no curriculum, agenda, classes, or tests to worry about.
   
   
3. I'm not a black belt. Can I still be a Certified Martial Artist?
   
   

   Possibly. The Certified Martial Artist credential is for instructor qualified individuals. In most styles this equates to a black belt rank. In the style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, for example, this usually equates to a purple belt rank. Often in Mixed Martial Arts there are no belts or ranks awarded.

   In these cases we require proof of your current rank and/or competition record as well as documentation that proves your qualification to instruct in the martial arts. Note that you do not technically need to be an instructor or to teach classes/lessons, you only must be of sufficient rank or training to be qualified to teach students.