To understand certification and the role the ITBA plays, it’s first important to explore the nature of belt rank and how certification supports that structure.

At the beginning of one’s Taekwondo journey, color belt rank focuses on building up an understanding of fundamental technique while cultivating a healthy perspective towards the martial arts. The role of certification is to ensure that a specific curriculum is being taught and learned. However, in the end, the final responsibility for evaluating each student’s level of competence is placed on the individual instructor.

At the ITBA, we believe that the taekwondo ecosystem is well developed when it comes to color belt certification. There is a strong supply of instructors capable of administering color belt level testing across all of the various taekwondo styles.

Achieving black belt rank also requires a demonstration of technique and attitude, although the knowledge base required to effectively teach and evaluate these skills becomes harder to find. This is particularly true across the more traditional styles where variety has been embraced over standardization.

The ITBA plays an active role here, where we provide advanced training and related certification to instructors and master instructors.

When the title of master becomes appropriate, the nature of both rank and certification changes meaningfully. We believe that Master and Grandmaster titles signify advanced leadership and teaching excellence, rather than purely physical performance. At this stage, the focus of certification shifts toward the demonstrated ability to inspire others and contribute to the growth of Taekwondo itself.