The Dan Rank (Duanwei) System is established by the World Fighting Martial Arts Federation (WFMAF) to promote a unified standard for traditional fighting martial arts, to regulate the quality of traditional fighting martial arts, and to recognize the achievements of traditional fighting martial artists. The rank requirements specified below serve as guidelines for the Dan/Duan rank certification. To apply for Dan/Duan rank certification, the applicant must meet all the requirements for the rank applied. For demonstration of form and practical fighting applications, an applicant can either come to the WFMAF’s headquarters for evaluation, or submit the demonstration online (e.g. YouTube).

All applicants must be members of the WFMAF and have earned a black belt in their respective martial arts systems in order to be eligible to apply for the Dan/Duan rank certification. A Dan/Duan rank awarded by another reputable martial arts organizations will be evaluated and considered toward the applicant’s grading. An honorary Dan/Duan rank certification may be given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of traditional fighting martial arts.

General Requirements

✓ Minimum years required after earning black belt

✓ Minimum age requirement

✓ Minimum years requirement in teaching experience

✓ Required letters of recommendation

✓ Medals won at national or international level competitions

✓ Publication of media materials: Articles, Books, and/or Instructional DVDs

✓ National or international recognition for his/her martial arts system

✓ Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications

Dan Rank Application
Dan Ranks (Duanwei) Levels

Primary Levels

  • 1st Dan/Duan, 2nd Dan/Duan, and 3rd Dan/Duan
  • For black belts who have built a strong foundation in their martial arts systems or contributed to the growth of martial arts in their countries

Intermediate Levels

  • 4th Dan/Duan, 5th Dan/Duan, and 6th Dan/Duan
  • For black belts who have attained excellent skills in their martial arts systems or contributed significantly to the growth of martial arts in their countries

Advanced Levels

  • 7th Dan/Duan, 8th Dan/Duan, and 9th Dan/Duan
  • For black belts who have reached mastery in their martial arts systems or made significant contributions or innovations to the martial arts world
Dan Rank (Duanwei) Levels Specification

1st Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 1 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Minimum age of 17 years old | Required
  • Minimum 2 years of teaching experience (assistant instructor also qualify) | Required
  • Two letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 1 gold medal at national level competitions | Optional
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $100

2nd Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 3 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 1st Dan/Duan for at least 1 year | Optional
  • Minimum age of 23 years old | Required
  • Minimum 3 years of teaching experience (assistant instructor also qualify) | Required
  • Two letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 2 gold medals at national level competitions | Optional
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $130

3rd Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 6 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 2nd Dan/Duan for at least 2 years | Optional
  • Minimum age of 26 years old | Required
  • Minimum 6 years of teaching experience (assistant instructor also qualify) | Required
  • Two letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 3 gold medals at national level competitions | Optional
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $160

4th Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 10 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 3rd Dan/Duan for at least 3 years | Optional
  • Minimum age of 30 years old | Required
  • Minimum 10 years of teaching experience | Required
  • Three letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 4 gold medals at national or 1 gold medal at international level competitions | Optional
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $200

5th Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 15 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 4th Dan/Duan for at least 4 years | Optional
  • Minimum age of 35 years old | Required
  • Minimum 15 years of teaching experience | Required
  • Three letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 5 gold medals at national or 2 gold medals at international level competitions | Optional
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $230

6th Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 21 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 5th Dan/Duan for at least 5 years | Optional
  • Minimum age of 40 years old | Required
  • Minimum 20 years of teaching experience required | Required
  • Three letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 6 gold medals at national or 3 gold medals at international level competitions | Optional
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $260

7th Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 28 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 6th Dan/Duan for at least 6 years | Optional
  • Minimum age of 50 years old | Required
  • Minimum 30 years of teaching experience | Required
  • Five letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 7 gold medals at national or 4 gold medals at international level competitions | Optional
  • Publication of media materials: Articles, Books, and/or Instructional DVDs | Optional
  • National recognition for his/her martial arts system | Required
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $360

8th Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 36 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 7th Dan/Duan for at least 7 years | Optional
  • Minimum age of 55 years old | Required
  • Minimum 35 years of teaching experience | Required
  • Five letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 8 gold medals at national or 5 gold medals at international level competitions | Optional
  • Publication of media materials: Articles, Books, and/or Instructional DVDs | Optional
  • National recognition for his/her martial arts system | Required
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $480

9th Dan/Duan Requirements

  • Minimum 45 year required after earning black belt | Required
  • Holder of 8th Dan/Duan for at least 8 years | Optional
  • Minimum age of 60 years old | Required
  • Minimum 40 years of teaching experience | Required
  • Five letters of recommendation | Required
  • Won 9 gold medals at national or 6 gold medals at international level competitions | Optional
  • Publication of media materials: Articles, Books, and/or Instructional DVDs | Optional
  • International recognition for his/her martial arts system | Required
  • Demonstration of form and practical fighting/applications | Required
  • Application Fee: $600
Minimum Years Required After Earning Black Belt Minimum Age Requirement Minimum Teaching Experience
1st Dan/Duan 1 17 2
2nd Dan/Duan 3 23 3
3rd Dan/Duan 6 26 6
4th Dan/Duan 10 30 10
5th Dan/Duan 15 35 15
6th Dan/Duan 21 40 20
7th Dan/Duan 28 50 30
8th Dan/Duan 36 55 35
9th Dan/Duan 45 60 40

 

Certificate of Dan Rank Sample

Certificate of Dank Rank issued by the World Fighting Martial Arts Federation