A student who is promoted to a Yudansha Rank that is recognized by AKANA will receive an 11x17 Black Belt certificate signed by O'Shihan Jerry Piddington and the AKANA Board of Directors. If the Black Belt is a member of an AKANA Chartered School, they must be promoted through their school. The Black Belt must be a current member of AKANA in good standing. Black Belt Promotions include Junior and Senior Black Belt ranks. Members of an AKANA Chartered School, the administrator of the AKANA Chartered School, or an AKANA Board Member can use this form to apply for AKANA Black Belt Promotions. If the student is an Individual Black Belt Member that belongs to a school that is not an AKANA Chartered School, the blessing of their instructor is required through a conversation with an AKANA Board Member, and must complete an Individual Black Belt Promotion Form. All High Dan (6th Dan & up) must be approved by the AKANA Board of Directors. Only active membership years count toward time-in for future Black Belt Promotions, Teaching Credentials, and Honored Titles. Please send a jpeg image of the recipient in full formal uniform. All AKANA Black Belts will be issued a certification number and be listed on the AKANA website.

A Yudansha who is promoted to Teaching Credentials by AKANA will receive an 11x17 Teaching Credential certificate endorsed and signed by O'Shihan Jerry Piddington and the AKANA Board of Directors and will be recognized by AKANA as a licensed teacher with the title of Sensei or Shihan. They will also receive the respective patch. Sensei Teaching Credentials require the rank of at least 2nd Dan and Shihan Teaching Credentials require the rank of at least 5th Dan. All Yudansha being considered for Teaching Credentials must be a current member of AKANA in good standing who is currently teaching in an AKANA Chartered School. Only active membership years count toward time-in for future Teaching Credentials. A Sensei or Shihan may wear the appropriate belt signifying their Teaching Credential status. This form must be completed and submitted by an administrator of an AKANA Chartered School. AKANA Teaching Credentials also serve as a license for teachers from other schools and systems. An AKANA Teaching Credential is required for any instructor who teaches at an official AKANA seminar or training event. Please send a jpeg image of the recipient in full formal uniform. All licensed teachers of AKANA will be issued a teaching certification number and be listed with their picture on the AKANA website.

A Yudansha who is promoted to an Honored Title by AKANA will receive an 11x17 Honored Title certificate endorsed and signed by O'Shihan Jerry Piddington and the AKANA Board of Directors and will be honored by AKANA as a Tashi, Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. Honored Titles have many privileges that are recognized in AKANA. For Honored Titles, recipients have to meet certain requirements set forth by the AKANA Bylaws, such as rank, age, instructor status, school ownership, teachers of teachers, heads of styles, founder of styles, and head of organizations. All Yudansha being considered for Honored Titles must be a current member of AKANA in good standing who is active and contributing to the martial arts. Yudansha who receive an Honored Title may wear the appropriate belt signifying their title. This form must be completed and submitted by an administrator of an AKANA Chartered School or AKANA Board Member. Please send a jpeg image of the recipient in full formal uniform. All Honored Titles of AKANA will be issued a certification number and be listed with their picture on the AKANA website.

Once the application is processed, certificates and patches will be mailed within 3-5 business days. Thank you for applying.