Q: How does the ICP/INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM work if I do not live in Switzerland/FL?
A: 1) Everyone who works with us, no matter if instructor or student, must be in possession of an annual (student) license. The student license is valid for the current year, from January 1st to December 31st. Even if you start in June or October, the membership cost for the current calendar year remains the same. You must apply for the new year no later than November 1st, otherwise there is an extra charge. The annual fee is 60,00 EUR or 70.- Swiss francs.
2) Live training (abroad) with Professor Franco Vacirca takes place on a regular basis. Check out our Seminars and Training Camps calendar, published at (click here >>).
3) The price of the special ICP course depends on the cost of renting the Dojo and the travel expenses of Professor Franco. Contact the ICP host (Ambassador) for dates and pricing.
4) We have outside of Switzerland, at the moment only in Germany, the following ICP Ambassador locations for you, that are offering a (almost) monthly ICP weekend course: Maurice “Mo” Wollny at Panda Gym Berlin (and in Frankfurt), and Gregor Bytomski in Öhringen. Feel free to contact them directly for the next ICP weekend course.
5) The ICP courses in Zurich is FREE of charge for our Partner schools trainers and instructors. As soon you have 20 or more annual licenses per year, you get this extra service from us. Learn straight from the source! Bring your Trainer assistant to the training without any additional costs.
Q: Do I have to organize a seminar for Professor Franco in my Academy / Partner-Dojo and why?
A: Yes, the (open) seminar will last 2-3 hours of training, based on the need of the Team.
The seminar is also to be used for Belt ranking and Trainers coaching. You are allowed to co-host a seminar with other schools in your area; however, it is very important that your BJJ students will attend the seminar to have a overall evaluation of your team / school by Professor Franco.
Q: Are our BJJ belt grades recognized? IBJJF, JJGF, etc.?
A: 1) Professor Franco Vacirca is the highest ranked BJJ teacher in Europe and holds the prestigious Coral belt 7th degree by Gradmaster – Red belt Joe Moreira. Professor Franco has been working with the JJGF/JIU-JITSU GLOBAL FEDERATION since its formation by Master Rickson Gracie.
2) All Gracie Concepts® awarded belts and certifications are therefore also officially recognized by the JJGF, and whoever wants can additionally be certified by the JJGF at a special rate (no mandatory). To be additionally certified by the JJGF, the written confirmation by Professor Franco is necessary. No test or extra examination is necessary. All belt certification by Gracie Concepts® HQ is included in the annual license for all members.
3) The “Team Vacirca Brothers” is also founding member of the International BJJ Federation (IBJJF) since the beginning and is the only certified representative of the CBJJ. Professor Franco and Professor Demetrio are certified black belts of the CBJJ/IBJJF since the formation of the IBJJF back in the year 1997 (member no. 2885).
Q: Are the Gracie Concepts® techniques the same as at Gracie University?
A: 1) Yes and no! We have adopted the classic 54-lessons-plan by our Master teacher Pedro Hemetério (RIP), who was a Red belt by the late Grandmaster Hélio Gracie. “Professor Pedro” was our mentor, grandmaster, and supervisor until his death back in October 2019. Together with him, Professor Franco defined the today Gracie Concepts® – Gracie Jiu-Jitsu syllabus.
2) Our 54-lessons-plan has nothing to do with GU program, even though it may look that way in Gracie Fundamentals. Keep in mind, the foundation was given by GGM Hélio Gracie. We adhere to the class program given by Master Hemetério, even if the techniques have been further evolutionary and adapted to the present time by the Vacirca Brothers.
3) Therefore, it is important that our Gracie Concepts® Partner schools follow our 54-lessons-plan from day one. Note, that Gracie Concepts® (or the Vacirca Brothers) is (are) not a representative of Gracie University, but we keep good contact – and now and then even some visit.
Q: I am taking the ICP course in Berlin. If I complete the ICP course, will I be a Blue belt?
A: After the ICP course you will be (re-) evaluated based on your overall Gracie Jiu-Jitsu knowledge and the “Time-in-Belt” with us. The ICP course is designed to teach to every teacher the entire 54-lessons-plan so that they learn how to work with their students to teach authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – the Gracie way.
Q: I am a Black belt from another BJJ school, can I become a Gracie Concepts® instructor? Can I join your network and become certified?
A: Regardless of your (martial arts / BJJ / Jiu-Jitsu / Ju-Jutsu) background and current belt, all Gracie Concepts® instructors must have attended the complete ICP course. There are no “short-cuts” when it comes to graduating our members. If you have BJJ experience, you can keep your current belt when joining us. Once you have completed the first part of the ICP course (Gracie Fundamentals), we will (re-) evaluate your current belt. Please note that we do not homologate belts, this rule also applies to BJJ black belt holders.
Q: Do I need to have BJJ competition experience? Do I have to compete in BJJ?
A: To participate in BJJ competitions is not mandatory… whether for you as a teacher or your students. The way we emphasize Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is more oriented to self-defense.
Q: I come from MMA & Thai-boxing, can I become a Gracie Concepts® instructor?
A: Whether you come to us from MMA, BJJ, or any other martial art or combat sport, if you follow our rules, everyone is welcome. Everyone at Gracie Concepts® must follow the same rules (and etiquette) and training path (lessons-plan) to guarantee our high-quality standards. We make no exceptions on that!
Q: What will I learn in the ICP courses in one weekend?
A: Normally, Gracie Fundamentals (lessons 1 to 23) will be taught on Saturday and Gracie Intermediate and/or Gracie Advanced (lessons 24 to 54) on Sunday. At Gracie Zuerich other topics will be discussed additionally – known as ICP(Plus), therefore it is always advisable to get in contact with the ICP course location prior organizing your travel. Usually you will be training 3 hours each day, but it depends on how many participants are present and which lessons and topics are covered.
Q: Can I do the ICP course in private lessons?
A: It is advisable to attend the ICP course during the offered weekends, also to exchange ideas with other ICP participants. The exchange with each other is as important as reviewing and practicing back home – we recommend to bring your buddy with you. We always remain students until the end of our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Q: How long does it take to become a Black belt?
A: It usually takes between eight to ten years to become a BJJ black belt. The 54-lessons-plan ensures that our students get a strong foundation on one hand, and on the other hand, that they can develop by receiving additional training and instructional material from us.
Q: If I start now as a Blue belt, how long would it take for Purple belt?
A: It all depends on you – and your personal commitment. As a teacher, you will need to attend ICP workshops and work on the different scenarios. Usually it takes about 2+ years, but it is still up to Professor Franco Vacirca to decide if you are ready for the next belt rank.
Q: How much is the Registration – Membership fee for schools? And are there also (student) exam fees for stripes and belts to pay?
A: In the first membership year the (minimum costs for Partner schools) are 20 students licenses. The initial fee is therefore EUR 1200,00 / CHF 1400.- Swiss francs. From the second – and each following year, you must register all your BJJ / GJJ students and they have to buy the annual student license through you as instructor / Partner school.
Q: Does the Gi (BJJ kimono) must be a certain color, or does it not matter?
A: The Gi (BJJ Kimono) must be in WHITE, Blue, or Black. The official Gracie Concepts® Gi is WHITE since many teachers like Master Royce Gracie requires white Gi only during his seminars and training.
Q: As a partner school, are we also registered at JJGF?
A: Once your Partner school is accepted and recognized by us (Gracie Concepts®), it will also be registered on the same day by Professor Franco at www.JJGF.com and thus also recognized. This includes also your Belt degree at JJGF at no extra cost for you.
Last update: 03.2025/FV
GRACIE CONCEPTS® HQ 