troubleenuf
Blue Belt
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Hello, Wondering what the norm is around the country for 4th, 5th and 6th Dan test fees? My old instructor is still charging $4800 for 4th Dan?!
Black Belt Test Fees
- Thread starter troubleenuf
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dancingalone
Grandmaster
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That's pricey. I paid $800 for my 4th dan fees and I recognized that included KKW registration along with a nice profit for my master. I was OK with it, but I knew this part of doing business (I bought a school from him too).
I would not pay $4800 unless it came with considerably more fanfare and benefits than what I received.
I would not pay $4800 unless it came with considerably more fanfare and benefits than what I received.
Our fee for 4th Dan is about $600, a chunk of which is spent bringing in a couple of Masters to be judges.
For $4800, I hope you're getting the large economy size jar of lube.
KenpoDave
2nd Black Belt
I have never paid for a Kenpo rank test, nor have o charged for one.
I have never paid for an Isshin Ryu rank test, at any belt level. I have paid for a belt when it changed colors. $10 a pop. It's killing me with these expenses! 
Thank goodness I finally made it into the black belt ranks, the color won't change anymore! Whew!
I am not going to say anyone else's system is wrong. It is what it is. Everyone has to make their own choices.
The fees didn't figure into my decision about which system to train in, but I'm awfully glad I don't get nickel-and-dimed every time I turn around.
Thank goodness I finally made it into the black belt ranks, the color won't change anymore! Whew!I am not going to say anyone else's system is wrong. It is what it is. Everyone has to make their own choices.
The fees didn't figure into my decision about which system to train in, but I'm awfully glad I don't get nickel-and-dimed every time I turn around.
Danny T
Senior Master
This appears you are paying for the privilege to rank not by work and skill development but through the purchasing of your rank with money. Are you the only person testing and having to bear the total cost of the event yourself?
The greatest amount of money I have ever paid for a ranking was $150.00.
The greatest amount of money I have ever paid for a ranking was $150.00.
Never paid for a rank test in kali or kenpo (graded through full and high instructor ranks in both), clearly we are crappy salesmen.
Kenposcholar
Orange Belt
Our school has increased tuition in return for no testing fees.
I presume that since this thread is in the TKD section, you're specifically asking about TKD belt fees. I can't address that, but I can speak to fees in some other arts if it helps give perspective.
When I was in the Bujinkan, there was no belt test, the fee for my shodan certificate was $100. I understand that fees for the higher dan levels went a few times higher. This was about 20 years ago, so prices may have gone up.
When I got my instructor license in the Thai Boxing Association, I had to pay a small annual fee for my TBA membership. (Which I've since let lapse, so I suppose that means my license is no longer officially valid.)
There was no fee for my black belt in American kickboxing.
I have never paid any fees for any rank in BJJ and don't expect that I ever will. If I wanted to compete in IBJJF sanctioned tournaments as a black belt I would have to pay the IBJJF a registration fee of $400 + $150 annually. Since I have no plans to compete in those particular tournaments and the IBJJF has no relevance to my training it is highly unlikely that I will ever pay those rip-off artists a dime.
When I was in the Bujinkan, there was no belt test, the fee for my shodan certificate was $100. I understand that fees for the higher dan levels went a few times higher. This was about 20 years ago, so prices may have gone up.
When I got my instructor license in the Thai Boxing Association, I had to pay a small annual fee for my TBA membership. (Which I've since let lapse, so I suppose that means my license is no longer officially valid.)
There was no fee for my black belt in American kickboxing.
I have never paid any fees for any rank in BJJ and don't expect that I ever will. If I wanted to compete in IBJJF sanctioned tournaments as a black belt I would have to pay the IBJJF a registration fee of $400 + $150 annually. Since I have no plans to compete in those particular tournaments and the IBJJF has no relevance to my training it is highly unlikely that I will ever pay those rip-off artists a dime.
SahBumNimRush
Master of Arts
Something to consider, and I am not saying that $4800 is worth it or not, is are you willing to support your instructor by paying the amount to test.
My instructor came here from Korea back in the 60's, and teaching TKD is his career. I respect him and his teaching enough to pay a few hundred dollars for my dan testing fees, as without him, I would not have had the opportunity to learn the skill sets that I now have.
I don't believe that the rank test itself costs that much, but I wish to support my teacher earn a living. For what it's worth, I paid about $800 for my 6th dan test, and for the previous 6 years he received no money from me. From that perspective, I feel it was money well spent to help keep a roof over my teacher's head.
My instructor came here from Korea back in the 60's, and teaching TKD is his career. I respect him and his teaching enough to pay a few hundred dollars for my dan testing fees, as without him, I would not have had the opportunity to learn the skill sets that I now have.
I don't believe that the rank test itself costs that much, but I wish to support my teacher earn a living. For what it's worth, I paid about $800 for my 6th dan test, and for the previous 6 years he received no money from me. From that perspective, I feel it was money well spent to help keep a roof over my teacher's head.
Look at the big picture, not just the one number. Is it $4800 for a half day thing at his gym and a certificate? Might be a little out there, especially if it is onto of regular tuition.
If it is from a reputable "brand" and is treated more as a licensing deal when you run your own school allowing you to use their brand and promote within it, along with mentorship in growing your school and being a better instructor... that's a different sort of financial arrangement.
It sounds more like a Franchise fee. If not, it is definitely an excessive amount.
I know of a school that charges $1500 for there black belt test, but it is a franchise fee as well. You just lose it, if you decide not to open a school under that affiliation.
I know of a school that charges $1500 for there black belt test, but it is a franchise fee as well. You just lose it, if you decide not to open a school under that affiliation.
Any chance you can test but not be 'official' in the affiliation (get registered) for a cheaper price? If you're not planning on opening a school, no real reason to pay for the registration.
I would be a third dan for the rest of my martial arts career and be perfectly happy beating the black off of those 4th, 5th, and 6th dans.
Jaeimseu
3rd Black Belt
I used to hear numbers that high, especially for 4th Dan, back in the days before official Kukkiwon fees were well-known, but I'm surprised that anyone is still managing to get that much now.
But who knows, maybe the test includes a down payment on an official "black belt club" car.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
But who knows, maybe the test includes a down payment on an official "black belt club" car.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
RTKDCMB
Senior Master
The only cost for a 4th Dan test in my art is 20 or more years of hard work and dedication to the art.
Earl Weiss
Senior Master
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I note that he is your "Old" instructor. Does "Old" = Former? Also, do you learn of these fees or adjusted for time inflation something like that when you sign up, or is it a "Surprise".?
