PJJF SYSTEM RECOGNITION RANK CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation (PJJF) serves as the registry for official jiu-jitsu rank in Panamerica and represents to the International Governing Body recognized Jiu-Jitsu grades of Panamericans. When registering new PJJF members who have Jiu-Jitsu rank, it is important to understand the difference between homologation or validation of Jiu-Jitsu rank and promotion in Jiu-Jitsu rank. A promotion is the awarding of the next higher rank to a member who already has his or her rank certified with the PJJF. It can only be accomplished when the PJJF member fulfills all the requirements for their next promotion in Jiu-Jitsu Rank System or in a Jiu-Jitsu Rank System from a recognized Jiu-Jitsu organization as determined by the Jiu-Jitsu Technical Committee.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMOLOGATION AND VALIDATION
For students or instructors who wish to join the PJJF and already have rank in Jiu-Jitsu, the PJJF rank system provides procedures for homologation and validation. Homologation is the issuance of PJJF credentials for Jiu-Jitsu rank possessed by a prospective or current member when that rank has been issued by a recognized Jiu-Jitsu organization. Validation is the examination of a prospective or current member to obtain PJJF credentials for a Jiu-Jitsu rank issued by an unrecognized Jiu-Jitsu organization, or for which no credentials are possessed.
Each procedure, homologation or validation is explained below. These procedures apply to all new members with Jiu-Jitsu rank of Brown Belt or higher. New members, with lower ranks may be registered at their current rank with approval of their Instructor.
HOMOLOGATING NEW MEMBERS WITH ACCEPTABLE RANK CREDENTIALS
Homologation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member (Brown Belt or higher) who has proof of rank in the form of a rank card or certificate that is recognized by the Technical Committee of the Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
In keeping with the International Standards of Minimum Age Requirements for Dan Grades, the PJJF does require that minimum ages are considered when issuing Homologated Certification for rank issued by other jiu-jitsu organizations.
The following Minimum Ages are required for dan grade certification in the PJJF:
· 16 yrs. old for Shodan, Black Belt, 1st Dan
· 18 yrs. old for Nidan, Black Belt, 2nd Dan
· 20 yrs old for Sandan, Black Belt, 3rd Dan
· 25 yrs old for Yondan, Black Belt, 4th Dan
· 30 yrs old for Godan, Black Belt, 5th Dan
· 35 yrs old for Rokudan, Black Belt, 6th Dan
· 40 yrs old for Shichidan, Black Belt, 7th Dan
· 50 yrs old for Hachidan, Black Belt, 8th Dan
· 60 yrs old for Kudan, Black Belt, 9th Dan
· 70 yrs old for Judan, Black Belt, 10th Dan
Note: There are many jiu-jitsu organizations whose rank credentials are recognized by the PJJF.
If the new member has acceptable rank credentials, he or she may have their rank certified in the PJJF at the current Judo rank.
PJJF Rank Homologation will be issued to only PJJF recognized jiu-jitsu systems.
In order for a jiu-jitsu system to be recognized by the PJJF, all of the following criteria must be met:
1. The jiu-jitsu system's senior black belts must be current members of the PJJF.
2. The jiu-jitsu system's complete curriculum and history must be on file at the PJJF Continental Office.
3. The jiu-jitsu system's most current roster of instructor / examiners must be on file at the PJJF Continental Office.
4. The jiu-jitsu system's black belts must be certified with the PJJF (with their personal martial arts "Bio", photo, copies of all their rank certificates and references on file at the PJJF Continental Office).
5. The senior black belts of each new "applicant system" are required to attend a National Seminar, Camp or place and time coordinated through the PJJF Continental Office in order to present and demonstrate their system to the PJJF Technical Committee for induction into the PJJF Yudanshakai.
To homologate a new member with acceptable rank credentials, an Instructor simply fills out the PJJF On-Line Membership Form, attaches a copy of the new member’s recognized rank card or certificate, and Emails this to the PJJF Continental Office for processing along with the annual membership and rank registration fees. If the Instructor is in doubt as to whether a certain rank card or certificate is acceptable, he or she has only to send a photocopy of the card or certificate to the PJJF for determination.
The Instructor will always receive a prompt and courteous reply. A new member who has his or her rank certified will receive a PJJF Membership Card showing his or her current rank, a PJJF Jiu-Jitsu Rank Certificate and a PJJF Official Patch.
VALIDATION OF JIU-JITSU RANK
Validation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member who has no acceptable proof of jiu-jitsu rank. Instructors and prospective members should understand clearly that when we refer to a new member’s credentials as "unacceptable" there is absolutely no reflection on the member’s technical competence in Jiu-Jitsu, (nor their character). However, the term "unacceptable" merely means that the credentials the member possesses are not issued by a recognized jiu-jitsu organization.
Validation is also a method by which a new member can be registered at the jiu-jitsu rank that he or she is best qualified to hold. If the new member has not participated in a national or continental standardized rank system, he or she may not have been promoted to the rank now held by contemporaries in skill, knowledge and experience. Validation is the method for correcting this situation. Validation is the detailed process by which the PJJF examines new members to verify their credentials or to determine the rank they are best qualified to hold. It involves a thorough examination of their jiu-jitsu knowledge, technical ability, a historical review of their jiu-jitsu experience, and their service to jiu-jitsu. The historical review may go back to their first day of training (and their Instructor) or to the date of their last "acceptable" rank credentials. All new members who do not possess acceptable rank credentials must have their rank validated to be registered with the PJJF holding the rank of Brown Belt or higher. As with PJJF promotions, the member must belong to a PJJF member club to be eligible for rank validation.
If the validation is for a Kyu (Brown Belt or below) grade, then the examination must be performed by a certified PJJF Black Belt (and current member of the Federation). If the validation is for a Dan (Black Belt) grade, then the examiner must be a certified PJJF Black Belt who is at least two grades higher than the rank validation level of the new member. The examiner for all validations or promotions must be a Certified Instructor/Examiner of the PJJF. The examiner will utilize the PJJF Request for Validation of Jiu-Jitsu Rank Form and send it with the individual’s membership application and appropriate fees to the PJJF Continental Office for processing. The Continental Office will insure that the forms are properly completed and will forward to the new member (or their Instructor) a PJJF Membership Card, PJJF Rank Certificate and a PJJF Official Patch.
Note: The PJJF Request for Validation Form has all of the necessary instructions for completion and the current validation fees. Promotions, Homologations or Validations for Judo Rank of Godan (5th Dan) and higher must be approved by the PJJF Technical Committee. Additionally, the PJJF Technical Committee has approved the institution of minimal time in grade and age requirements for all PJJF Jiu-Jitsu Dan Levels.
PJJF is the PAN AM Governing Body for Jiu-Jitsu with the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF) and as such must abide by its rules and regulations. We simply cannot accept rank credentials or recognize organizations that do not meet requirements of the International Governing Body. Furthermore, PJJF is a jiu-jitsu organization and as such does not register karate, taekwondo, kung fu and like credentials. There are appropriate organizations for those martial arts. We highly recommend that you consider one of the organizations listed in our Partners & Affiliates Section for credentials in these other arts. If jiu-jitsu certification is desired, the member must meet the PJJF Jiu-Jitsu Rank Requirements or the Jiu-Jitsu Rank Requirements of a Recognized Jiu-Jitsu Organization.
Finally, PJJF does deal in reciprocity. That is, if an organization or country does not recognize PJJF Jiu-Jitsu rank, the PJJF will not recognize grades issued by that organization or country. However, if an organization or a country recognizes PJJF jiu-jitsu certification but does not meet the high international jiu-jitsu standards, PJJF cannot recognize grades issued by that organization or country.
To register your jiu-jitsu rank with the Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation (PJJF), contact the PJJF Continental Office at 3816 Bellingham Drive - Reno, NV USA 89511, for an application or use the On-Line Application for Dan Grade Certification at pjjfhq@gmail.com.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMOLOGATION AND VALIDATION
For students or instructors who wish to join the PJJF and already have rank in Jiu-Jitsu, the PJJF rank system provides procedures for homologation and validation. Homologation is the issuance of PJJF credentials for Jiu-Jitsu rank possessed by a prospective or current member when that rank has been issued by a recognized Jiu-Jitsu organization. Validation is the examination of a prospective or current member to obtain PJJF credentials for a Jiu-Jitsu rank issued by an unrecognized Jiu-Jitsu organization, or for which no credentials are possessed.
Each procedure, homologation or validation is explained below. These procedures apply to all new members with Jiu-Jitsu rank of Brown Belt or higher. New members, with lower ranks may be registered at their current rank with approval of their Instructor.
HOMOLOGATING NEW MEMBERS WITH ACCEPTABLE RANK CREDENTIALS
Homologation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member (Brown Belt or higher) who has proof of rank in the form of a rank card or certificate that is recognized by the Technical Committee of the Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
In keeping with the International Standards of Minimum Age Requirements for Dan Grades, the PJJF does require that minimum ages are considered when issuing Homologated Certification for rank issued by other jiu-jitsu organizations.
The following Minimum Ages are required for dan grade certification in the PJJF:
· 16 yrs. old for Shodan, Black Belt, 1st Dan
· 18 yrs. old for Nidan, Black Belt, 2nd Dan
· 20 yrs old for Sandan, Black Belt, 3rd Dan
· 25 yrs old for Yondan, Black Belt, 4th Dan
· 30 yrs old for Godan, Black Belt, 5th Dan
· 35 yrs old for Rokudan, Black Belt, 6th Dan
· 40 yrs old for Shichidan, Black Belt, 7th Dan
· 50 yrs old for Hachidan, Black Belt, 8th Dan
· 60 yrs old for Kudan, Black Belt, 9th Dan
· 70 yrs old for Judan, Black Belt, 10th Dan
Note: There are many jiu-jitsu organizations whose rank credentials are recognized by the PJJF.
If the new member has acceptable rank credentials, he or she may have their rank certified in the PJJF at the current Judo rank.
PJJF Rank Homologation will be issued to only PJJF recognized jiu-jitsu systems.
In order for a jiu-jitsu system to be recognized by the PJJF, all of the following criteria must be met:
1. The jiu-jitsu system's senior black belts must be current members of the PJJF.
2. The jiu-jitsu system's complete curriculum and history must be on file at the PJJF Continental Office.
3. The jiu-jitsu system's most current roster of instructor / examiners must be on file at the PJJF Continental Office.
4. The jiu-jitsu system's black belts must be certified with the PJJF (with their personal martial arts "Bio", photo, copies of all their rank certificates and references on file at the PJJF Continental Office).
5. The senior black belts of each new "applicant system" are required to attend a National Seminar, Camp or place and time coordinated through the PJJF Continental Office in order to present and demonstrate their system to the PJJF Technical Committee for induction into the PJJF Yudanshakai.
To homologate a new member with acceptable rank credentials, an Instructor simply fills out the PJJF On-Line Membership Form, attaches a copy of the new member’s recognized rank card or certificate, and Emails this to the PJJF Continental Office for processing along with the annual membership and rank registration fees. If the Instructor is in doubt as to whether a certain rank card or certificate is acceptable, he or she has only to send a photocopy of the card or certificate to the PJJF for determination.
The Instructor will always receive a prompt and courteous reply. A new member who has his or her rank certified will receive a PJJF Membership Card showing his or her current rank, a PJJF Jiu-Jitsu Rank Certificate and a PJJF Official Patch.
VALIDATION OF JIU-JITSU RANK
Validation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member who has no acceptable proof of jiu-jitsu rank. Instructors and prospective members should understand clearly that when we refer to a new member’s credentials as "unacceptable" there is absolutely no reflection on the member’s technical competence in Jiu-Jitsu, (nor their character). However, the term "unacceptable" merely means that the credentials the member possesses are not issued by a recognized jiu-jitsu organization.
Validation is also a method by which a new member can be registered at the jiu-jitsu rank that he or she is best qualified to hold. If the new member has not participated in a national or continental standardized rank system, he or she may not have been promoted to the rank now held by contemporaries in skill, knowledge and experience. Validation is the method for correcting this situation. Validation is the detailed process by which the PJJF examines new members to verify their credentials or to determine the rank they are best qualified to hold. It involves a thorough examination of their jiu-jitsu knowledge, technical ability, a historical review of their jiu-jitsu experience, and their service to jiu-jitsu. The historical review may go back to their first day of training (and their Instructor) or to the date of their last "acceptable" rank credentials. All new members who do not possess acceptable rank credentials must have their rank validated to be registered with the PJJF holding the rank of Brown Belt or higher. As with PJJF promotions, the member must belong to a PJJF member club to be eligible for rank validation.
If the validation is for a Kyu (Brown Belt or below) grade, then the examination must be performed by a certified PJJF Black Belt (and current member of the Federation). If the validation is for a Dan (Black Belt) grade, then the examiner must be a certified PJJF Black Belt who is at least two grades higher than the rank validation level of the new member. The examiner for all validations or promotions must be a Certified Instructor/Examiner of the PJJF. The examiner will utilize the PJJF Request for Validation of Jiu-Jitsu Rank Form and send it with the individual’s membership application and appropriate fees to the PJJF Continental Office for processing. The Continental Office will insure that the forms are properly completed and will forward to the new member (or their Instructor) a PJJF Membership Card, PJJF Rank Certificate and a PJJF Official Patch.
Note: The PJJF Request for Validation Form has all of the necessary instructions for completion and the current validation fees. Promotions, Homologations or Validations for Judo Rank of Godan (5th Dan) and higher must be approved by the PJJF Technical Committee. Additionally, the PJJF Technical Committee has approved the institution of minimal time in grade and age requirements for all PJJF Jiu-Jitsu Dan Levels.
PJJF is the PAN AM Governing Body for Jiu-Jitsu with the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF) and as such must abide by its rules and regulations. We simply cannot accept rank credentials or recognize organizations that do not meet requirements of the International Governing Body. Furthermore, PJJF is a jiu-jitsu organization and as such does not register karate, taekwondo, kung fu and like credentials. There are appropriate organizations for those martial arts. We highly recommend that you consider one of the organizations listed in our Partners & Affiliates Section for credentials in these other arts. If jiu-jitsu certification is desired, the member must meet the PJJF Jiu-Jitsu Rank Requirements or the Jiu-Jitsu Rank Requirements of a Recognized Jiu-Jitsu Organization.
Finally, PJJF does deal in reciprocity. That is, if an organization or country does not recognize PJJF Jiu-Jitsu rank, the PJJF will not recognize grades issued by that organization or country. However, if an organization or a country recognizes PJJF jiu-jitsu certification but does not meet the high international jiu-jitsu standards, PJJF cannot recognize grades issued by that organization or country.
To register your jiu-jitsu rank with the Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation (PJJF), contact the PJJF Continental Office at 3816 Bellingham Drive - Reno, NV USA 89511, for an application or use the On-Line Application for Dan Grade Certification at pjjfhq@gmail.com.
