WTSDA Region #2 Black Belt Testing Requirements

A.  General:

1.  Clinic

  1. Students (Blue and Black Belts Only) need only make 1 leadership clinic a year in either March or August. You must make 1 of the 2 leadership (Mar or Aug) events a year or you will be penalized a year wait on your minimum eligibility for promotion to the next rank. Do not miss Region leadership training events.
  2. Blue and Black Belts - Proof of attendance of at least one Leadership Clinic for each required training year or add one year to your training for testing.
  3. If a student is testing for Black Belt in May they must make the March Clinic and may skip the August clinic with no penalty.
  4. If a student is testing for Black Belt in October they must make the August clinic but they can skip the March clinic with no penalty.
  5. NOTE: If a student is not testing this year they can choose whatever clinic they prefer as long as they make one clinic a year starting at Blue Belt.

2.  Tournaments

  1. A student must attend at least one of each World and Region 2 Tournament every year offered starting at Blue Belt or add one additional year for eligibility for next rank testing. Students can either attend the Regional or World tournament in the year of the World Tournament or both.

3.  WTSDA Fees: Total fee submission for Dan testing is as follow:

  1. Checks/Money Order
  2. Test Fees/membership dues must be made out to WTSDA (NOT REGION)
  3. Brick/Building Fund payments are made out as a separate check to WTSDF (World Tang Soo Do Federation)
  4. Cho Dan - $180.00 ($100.00 testing fee + $40.00 3 year dues + $40.00 brick purchase);
  5. E- Dan - $280.00 ($200.00 testing fee + $40.00 3 year dues + plus $40.00 brick purchase;
  6. Sam Dan - $380.00 ($300.00 testing fee + $40.00 3 years dues + $40.00 brick purchase.
  7. Note: World Tang Soo Do Foundation (WTSDF) – $40.00 fee added to each level of Dan testing. Students must submit the brick donation form to receive the benefit of a tax deduction.

4.  Dan Renewals:

  1. Dan renewals will not be accepted for Dan testing; a member must show their spirit and attitude by keeping their membership current.
  2. All new Dan membership, a minimum three year renewal fee is mandated.

5.  Gup and Dan Cards – submit dan/gup cards; must be current showing proper rank and time in rank for promotion

6.  Forms/Certifications/Pictures:

  1. Membership Application for Dan Promotion.
  2. Completed Black Belt Testing form: Signed (by student/Guardian and Instructor).
  3. Copy proof of One (1) hr of community service for each year
  4. Certificate attendance for BB Pre-Test (May Cycle Testing).
  5. Proof of attendance of at least one Black Belt Clinic for each required training year or add one year to your training.
  6. Certificate Attendance World/Region Tournament for each required training
  7. World Tang Soo Do Foundation: Building Fund Donation Form (minimum One (1) Brick for $40.00 or additional bricks/Donor’s Club of $1,000.00)
  8. 3 Picture Photos (thumb nail size, borders trimmed if using passport pictures – no zerox copies).

7.  Black Belt Written Paper consisting of a minimum count of words toward promotion to: Cho Dan 1,000; E Dan 2,000; Sam Dan 3,000. Minimum 3 copies, typed, double spaced 12 pt font.

B.  General Testing Requirements:

8.  Satisfy all testing requirements as set forth by the WTSDA, Regional Policy, and their Independent Studio/club.

9.  Rank promotion age limitations (WTSDA):

  1. 1st Dan –candidates that are 9 years of age or younger must have at least 4 years of training, and prior approval from the Chairman of the Test Committee.
  2. 2nd Dan – candidates that are12 years of age or younger must apply for Special Consideration from the Chairman of the Test Committee.
  3. 3rd Dan – candidates must be at least 17 years/or older.
  4. 4th Dan – candidate must be at least 22 years of age.

10.  Submit all paperwork to studio owner in sufficient time to arrive with the Testing material to the regional director Three Weeks prior to test.

11.  Sam Dan Candidates will be required to demonstrate teaching skills.

12.  Prepare for Breaking. This will include choreographing the breaks, providing wood/bricks, and designating holders.

  1. Have sufficient material to complete the breaking requirement for the test. No more than 3 stations will be used. Studio/Club Owners are required to ensure students are prepared with set-up/breaking/clean-up time for breaking.
  2. One or two boards and one two-inch thick cinder block are used.
  3. Cinder block may be required for adult male student.
  4. Hand and kick combination multi-target must be displayed.
  5. Minimum one speed break, one power break using two boards hands/elbow, one power break using two boards with foot, and one jump kick with one board.
  6. Required Breaks for Cho Dan Candidates: General Requirement
  7. Required Breaks for E-Dan Candidates: Same as Cho Dan Bo Candidates. However, candidates may be asked to turn their back while stations are moved into different locations. Candidate will turn and execute Breaking after bowing to panel.
  8. Required Breaks for Sam-Dan Candidates: Same as Cho Dan Bo and E Dan Candidates, with more challenge and precision.

13.  Official Dobahk, complete with proper patches and trim. Gups should also be in proper Belt and trim (no lateral stripes sewn in the belt).

14.  Written Test Scores: 70% or better testing for 1st Dan; 75% or better testing for 2nd Dan; and 80% or better testing for 3rd Dan.

15.  Physical Material

  1. All lower Belt material and up to test material to Black Belt
  2. Work prep for target drills
  3. Mat Work
  4. Warm Up preparation

Item / Cho Dan / E Dan / Sam Dan
Jumping Jacks / 100 / 200 / 250-300
Push Ups / 50 / 75 / 100
Sit ups / 50 / 75 / 100
Center punches / 200 / 200 / 200

C.  Summary check list:

q  3 Passport size Pictures (put in letter size envelope)

q  Check to WTSDA for testing/membership fee (NOT made to Region)

q  Check to WTSDF for Brick (Building Fund) (NOT made to WTSDA or Region)

q  Copy Application for Brick (1 minimum)

q  3 Copies of Essay (typed, double spaced, 12 pt font)

q  Membership Application: Testing for 1st Dans Check to WTSDA - $45.00 Black Belt Membership (3 yrs minimum) or life time membership. All other ranks must have 3 yr Dan Memberships.

q  Certificates proof of attendance of Clinics and tournaments (one for each year)

q  Gup card for 1st dan and Dan card for Black Belt (Blue Card), up to date

q  Proof of Community Service ( 1 hours for each Black Belt Rank)

q  Mailed to Regional Director 3 weeks prior to test Date: NOTE: Failure to present ALL required material to the regional director on time will prevent student from testing.

Tang Soo!

Master David L. Roberts

WTSDA Region #2 Director (Oh Dan # 022103)

Rev. 0 (1/26/09)Page 1