Grading Panel

September 2023 update

The EKF issues Dan Grade certificates from 1st to 9th Dan, subject to the Technical Grading Panel assessment and technical evaluation of all applicants. The EKF Dan Grading programme is open to all members, all application must be submitted and endorsed by an applicant’s Head of Association/Club. Applications received from individual Members will be not be processed.

Applications will only be accepted from Associations that are full members, and have been full members for a minimum of one year.

Dan Grade Certification Process

1st to 3rd Dan:

These certificates will be issued upon the request from the Head of Association/Club. The EKF Dan Grade application form must be completed for each individual applicant.

Any EKF Members wishing to register and buy their Dan grade certificate will need go through their Head Of Association, who will then contact Sonny Roberts to arrange registration via email: dsonnyroberts@gmail.com 

The EKF Dan Certificate form can be downloaded HERE

The form must be fully completed.

The EKF registration number must be shown, including the expiry date, the date of birth, address, postcode, full name, current Association name and its initials. The form must show the full history of all previous Dan gradings, ie the date of the grading, the name of the Awarding Examiner and the Awarding Association that issued the certificate.

4th to 7th Dan:

Certificates will be issued subject to the candidate’s successful technical grading assessment conducted by the EKF Technical Grading Panel (TGP). Each candidate will be required to complete an EKF Dan Grade application form which must be endorsed by their Head of Association/Club. The TGP will carry out the grading assessments on an annual basis, and the dates will be registered on the EKF Website in the 1st quarter period.

SHOTOKAN Dan grading Requirement

WADO Dan grading Requirement

GOJU Dan and SHITO Dan grading Requirement

8th and 9th Dan:

Applicants will be required to submit a Curriculum Vieta, which clearly demonstrates, and evidences a history of appropriate technical grading’s. The candidate will have a spent a life time studying, and in the service of karate-do, representing the technical, moral and ethical values of the art. In addition the candidate must also have the support of two other EKF Heads of Association members, whose Head of Association holds a higher or equal grade to that of the one the applicant is seeking.

The EKF will require all candidates to meet the appropriate timelines, and be able to demonstrate continuous training/practice in the art of karate-do.

For furher information on the EKF Dan Grading Awards and Certification we have the following guidance

Please note our Dan Grade registration process is being upgraded at this time. We will advise when the process is complete.

1st Dan minimum age 16 years

  1. 2 Dan minimum 2 years between grade
  2. 3 Dan minimum 3 years between grade
  3. 4 Dan minimum 4 years between grade
  4. 5 Dan minimum 5 years between grade
  5. 6 Dan minimum 6 years between grade
  6. 7 Dan minimum 7 years between grade
  7. 8 Dan minimum 8 years between grade
  8. 9 Dan minimum 9 years between grade
  9. 10 Dan minimum 10 years between grade

The EKF TGP consists of selected senior representatives of English karate, covering all styles, each panel member has over 35 years experience in karate.

This service has been requested by members, especially Associations whose Chief Instructor do not have the facility for promotion and senior grades who would prefer the option of undergoing a physical examination conducted by an EKF TGP.

Further details, including anticipated costs, will be available upon request, to EKF members.

For further information Email: admin@englishkaratefederation.com


FAQs regarding EKF Dan Grade Certification.

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Only EKF Dan Grades with a current EKF Registration Number may apply for an EKF Dan Certificate.

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These certificates are only issued to students who are 16 years and above.

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The EKF Dan Certificate form can be downloaded HERE

The form must be fully completed.

The EKF registration number must be shown, including the expiry date, the date of birth, address, postcode, full name, current Association name and its initials. The form must show the full history of all previous Dan gradings, ie the date of the grading, the name of the Awarding Examiner and the Awarding Association that issued the certificate.

Please not, this process is only for 1st to 3rd dan. 4th Dan and above will need to go before the Technical Grading Panel (TGP)

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If your Association/ Club is now in Full Membership of the English Karate Federation, you can apply for EKF Dan Certification. The Board of the EKF will decide whether your application will be accepted.

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The Board of the English Karate Federation recognises that Associations may award Dan Gradings to Juniors. However, to receive national recognition, there are strict age criteria:

  • At 16 = Shodan
  • Age 18 = Nidan
  • Age 21 = Sandan