USAF Rank Testing Requirements
The following are the techniques which must be demonstrated during testing for promotion to the next rank. Note that the days of practice are additive. For example, you start counting the additional 80 days of practice for the 4th KYU test after you have passed the 5th KYU test.


KYU Tests: |5th|4th| 3rd| 2nd| 1st

DAN Tests: |Sho Dan| Ni Dan| San Dan| Tips

5th KYU Requirements (60 days)

• Shomenuchi Ikkyo (omote & ura)
• Shomenuchi Iriminage
• Katatetori Shihonage (omote & ura)
• Ryotetori Techinage
• Tsuki Kotegaeshi
• Ushiro Tekubitori Kotegaeshi
• Morotetori Kokyuho
  
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4th KYU Requirements (80 days)

• Shomenuchi Nikkyo (omote & ura)
• Yokomenuchi Shihonage (omote & ura)
• Tsuki Iriminage
• Ushiro Tekubi Sankyo (omote & ura)
• Ushiro Ryokatatori Kotegaeshi
• Suwari Waza:
  Shomenuchi Ikkyo
  Katatori Nikkyo (omote & ura)
  Katatori Sankyo
  
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3rd KYU Requirements (100 days)

• Yokomenuchi Iriminage (2 ways)
• Yokomenuchi Kotegaeshi
• Tsuki Kaitennage
• Ushiro Ryokatatori Sankyo (omote & ura)
• Morotetori Iriminage (2 ways)
• Shomenuchi Sankyo (omote & ura)
• Suwari Waza:
  Shomenuchi Iriminage
  Shomenuchi Nikkyo (omote & ura)
• Hanmi-Handachi:
  Katatetori Shihonage
  Katatetori Kaitennage
  (uchi & soto mawari)
  
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2nd KYU Requirements (200 days)

• Shomenuchi Shihonage
• Shomenuchi Kaitennage
• Yokomenuchi Gokyo
• Usiro Tekubitori Shihonage
• Usiro Tekubitori Jujinage
• Usiro Kubishime Koshinage Morotetori Nikkyo
• Hanmi-Handachi:
  Shomenuchi Iriminage
  Katatetori Nikkyo
  Yokomenuchi Kotegaeshi
• Randori (Freestyle) - 2 persons
  
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1st KYU Requirements (300 days)

• Katatori Menuchi - 5 techniques
• Yokomenuchi - 5 techniques
• Morotetori - 5 techniques
• Shomenuchi - 5 techniques
• Ryotetori - 5 techniques
• Koshinage - 5 techniques
• Tantotori
• Hanmi-Handachi (Ushiro Waza - 5 techniques)
• Randori (Freestyle) - 3 persons
  
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Sho Dan (1st Black Belt) Requirements (400 days)

• Katatori Menuchi - 5 techniques
• Yokomenuchi - 5 techniques
• Morotetori - 5 techniques
• Shomenuchi - 5 techniques
• Ryotetori - 5 techniques \
• Koshinage - 5 techniques
• Tantotori
• Hanmi-Handachi (Ushiro Waza - 5 techniques)
• Tachitori
• Jotori
• Henkawaza
• Randori (Freestyle) - 4 persons
  
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Ni Dan Requirements (600 days)

• Katatori Menuchi - 5 techniques
  
• Yokomenuchi - 5 techniques
  
• Morotetori - 5 techniques
  
• Shomenuchi - 5 techniques
  
• Ryotetori - 5 techniques
  
• Koshinage - 5 techniques
  
• Tantotori
  
• Hanmi-Handachi (Ushiro Waza - 5 techniques)
  
• Tachitori
  
• Jotori
  
• Henkawaza
  
• Attend 2 seminars per year after Sho-Dan.
  
• Tachitori - 2
  
• Randori (Freestyle) - 5 persons
  
• Kaeshiwaza
  
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San Dan Requirements (700 days)

• Attend 2 seminars per year after Ni-Dan.
• Subject of exam to be determined by examiner at the time of the exam.
  
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Tips

In addition, to these requirements, be prepared for the testing instructors to get creative. These can include:

• Demonstrating basic ukemi
  
• Throwing in techniques from previous test [intentional]
  
• Getting half way through a test and realizing you've been doing the wrong test [accidental]. (It's never a good idea to point out the mistake however.)
  
• Getting a few extra attackers during freestyle (randori)
  
  Some notes on bowing during testing are:
  
  
• At the beginning there is a formal seated bow in the direction of O'Sensei's picture, then the testing instructors, and then your partner.
  
• At the end, the order is reversed: first your partner, then the testing instructors, and then O'Sensei's picture.
  
• Uke will normally assume a position to the right and just slightly behind nage. This is a sign of respect but try not to bow into nage's back when facing the testing instructors.
  
  Before test day:
  
  
• Practice, practice, practice. However don't let your training focus exclusively on test techniques.
  
• Ask the cooperation of, and practice, with an uke that you would like to use during your test. This uke should be close to your rank.
  
  Test day:
  
  
• Testing usually takes place during seminars. It is important that you participate in all of the classes and not show up only for your test.
  
• Consider taking it easy, or even skipping the class immediately preceding testing. This helps to prevent exhaustion, but it's important to stay warm and keep your muscles loose.
  
• Even if you are not testing, it's good to participate in the testing class, in case an extra uke is needed.
  
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