US Hwa Rang Kwan
Kumdo ranks have two levels. Beginners move up through geup grades from 9th geup to 1st geup. After 1st geup come dan ranks, from 1st dan (chodan) to 9th dan. Under the Korea Kumdo Association's grading rules, 1st to 8th dan are earned by examination, and 9th dan is decided by a review of documents.
The rules below come from the Korea Kumdo Association's grading regulations (30th revision, October 15, 2026).
How do geup grades work?
Geup grades count down: 9th geup is the first grade and 1st geup is the highest. Where you start depends on your age when you begin:
- Under 12: start at 9th geup
- 12 to under 15: start at 7th geup
- 15 and older: start at 5th geup
Geup grades are recognized by the city or provincial Kumdo association on behalf of the Korea Kumdo Association. Dan ranks are awarded by the Korea Kumdo Association itself.
How do dan ranks work?
Each dan has a minimum waiting time after the rank below it:
- 1st dan: 3 months after 1st geup
- 2nd dan: at least 1 year after 1st dan
- 3rd dan: at least 2 years after 2nd dan
- 4th dan: at least 3 years after 3rd dan
- 5th dan: at least 4 years after 4th dan
- 6th dan: at least 5 years after 5th dan
- 7th dan: at least 6 years after 6th dan
- 8th dan: at least 10 years after 7th dan
- 9th dan: at least 10 years after 8th dan
Some ranks also have a minimum age: 13 for 1st dan, 16 for 3rd dan, 46 for 8th dan and 65 for 9th dan.
The Korea Kumdo Association also says that steady practice of about one hour a day for about a year can bring you to 1st dan.
What is on a Kumdo dan test?
For 1st to 4th dan, the test has four parts: a practical test, the Bonguk-geom (본국검법) Korean sword form, the Kumdo-ui bon (검도의 본) and a written exam. The written exam covers technique, the history of Korean Kumdo and Kumdo philosophy. The 1st geup test has the first three parts.
Can children earn a dan rank?
Yes. The Korea Kumdo Association has junior dan ranks: junior 1st dan for ages 9 to under 13, junior 2nd dan for ages 10 to under 14, and junior 3rd dan for ages 13 to under 16. A junior rank turns into the regular rank without another test at age 13 (1st dan), 14 (2nd dan) and 16 (3rd dan).
What are Yeonsa, Gyosa and Beomsa?
These are titles that mark rank among high-dan Kumdo practitioners. A Yeonsa holds 5th dan or higher and has strong skill and good conduct. A Gyosa has trained further as a Yeonsa, has reached the character and skill of a leader, and has helped spread Kumdo. A Beomsa is a Gyosa of high character who has mastered the principles of the sword and is a model for all Kumdo practitioners; the title requires at least 8 years after 8th dan, 10 years after the Gyosa title, and an age of 60 or older.
FAQ
How many ranks are there in Kumdo?
There are 9 geup grades and 9 dan ranks under the Korea Kumdo Association.
What is the highest rank in Kumdo?
9th dan. It is not given by examination; it is decided by a review of documents, and the minimum age is 65.
Is 1st geup a black belt?
No. Under the Korea Kumdo Association's rules, 1st geup is the last geup grade before 1st dan, the first dan rank.
How long does it take to get 1st dan in Kumdo?
The Korea Kumdo Association says about a year of steady practice, about one hour a day. The minimum age for 1st dan is 13; students aged 9 to under 13 can earn a junior 1st dan.
Who awards Kumdo dan ranks?
In Korea, dan ranks are awarded by the Korea Kumdo Association.
Train for your next rank at US Hwa Rang Kwan
US Hwa Rang Kwan Kumdo is certified by the Korea Kumdo Association and affiliated with the Greater Washington Metropolitan Kumdo Federation. Classes are for students 7 years and older in Chantilly, Virginia and Ellicott City, Maryland. New students at the Chantilly, VA dojang can start with 3 semi-private lessons for $19.99. For Ellicott City, please contact us before you visit.
