Time In Rank Requirements


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The following is a chart showing the color of belt, rank, and Minimum Time Requirements for advancing from one rank to the next in Hapkido. Other factors are considered when determining if a student must train longer in order to advance in rank.

These are only the minimum time requirements, for example: a 3rd Gup Blue Belt With Red Stripe must hold that rank for at least 6 months in order to advance in rank to 2nd Gup Red Belt. A 3rd Degree Black Belt must hold that rank for at least 4 years in order to advance in rank to 4th Degree Black Belt.

The following chart is based on a student who attends class at least three days every week, with each class being at least one and one-half hours in length.


Hapkido Rank Time Required To Advance In Rank
10th Gup White Belt 2 Months (36 Hours)
9th Gup White Belt With Yellow Stripe 2 Months (36 Hours)
8th Gup Yellow Belt 2 Months (36 Hours)
7th Gup Yellow Belt With Green Stripe 2 Months (36 Hours)
6th Gup Green Belt 2 Months (36 Hours)
5th Gup Green Belt With Blue Stripe 3 Months (54 Hours)
4th Gup Blue Belt 6 Months (108 Hours)
3rd Gup Blue Belt With Red Stripe 6 Months (108 Hours)
2nd Gup Red Belt 6 Months (108 Hours)
1st Gup Red Belt With Black Stripe 9 Months (162 Hours)
1st Dan (Il Dan) Black Belt 2 Years
2nd Dan (Ee Dan) Black Belt 2 Years
3rd Dan (Sam Dan) Black Belt 4 Years
4th Dan (Sa Dan) Black Belt 4 Years
5th Dan (Oh Dan) Black Belt 6 Years
6th Dan (Yook Dan) Black Belt 6 Years
7th Dan (Chil Dan) Black Belt 8 Years
8th Dan (Pal Dan) Black Belt N/A
9th Dan (Koo Dan) Black Belt N/A

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