Ranking exams are given every three months until Shodan (1st degree black belt).
Videos of the katas are available here.
| Current Rank | Belt Color | Practicing Kata |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | White | Heian shodan |
| 8th kyu | White | Heian nidan |
| 7th kyu | White | Heian sandan |
| 6th kyu | Green | Heian yondan |
| 5th kyu | Green | Heian godan |
| 4th kyu | Green | Tekki shodan |
| 3rd kyu* | Brown | Bassai-dai |
| 2nd kyu | Brown | Bassai-dai |
| 1st kyu | Brown | Bassai-dai |
| Shodan (1st degree) | Black | Favorite kata |
| Nidan (2nd degree) | Black | Favorite (minimum: 2 years Shodan) |
| Sandan (3rd degree) | Black | Favorite (minimum: 3 years Nidan) |
| Yondan (4th degree) | Black | Favorite (minimum: 5 years Sandan) |
| Godan + (5th degree +) | Black | Favorite (by invitation) |
* Starting at brown belt and above, the JKA requires an official membership (lower belts can also get one if they’d like). A one year membership card costs $10 and a 5 year membership passport is $30. Cards and passports are valid worldwide and can be stamped to show participation in events such as tournaments.