Question: How does the ICP/INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM work if I don't live in Switzerland or Liechtenstein?
Answer: Everyone who works with us—whether a teacher or a student—must have an annual license. The student license is valid from January 1 through December 31 of the current year.
You must register for the new year by November 1 at the latest; otherwise, an additional late fee (of CHF 20) will be charged. The student license costs EUR 60.00 or CHF 70.
Live training sessions (abroad) with Professor Franco Vacirca are held regularly. Check out our seminar calendar. This also applies to all ICP seminars both in Germany and abroad.
Outside of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, we currently have the following ICP Ambassador locations in Germany that offer a monthly open ICP seminar:
- Maurice Wollny at Panda Gym Berlin
- Grigori Vinizki at the Samurai Fight Team Academy in Leipzig
- Gregor Bytomski in Schwäbisch-Hall
Question: Do I need to organize a VB seminar with Professor Franco at my school (as a partner school), and if so, why?
Answer: No, that’s not possible either, because the VB seminar calendar is already pretty full.
Prof. Franco now only visits partner schools that have also reached a higher membership count. It makes more sense to team up with other schools in your region and host an open VB seminar together.
Prof. Franco also visits his Gracie Concepts® Ambassadors, where black belt exams are held. For more information, please contact Gracie Concepts® HQ at info@graciejiujitsu.ch.
Question: Are Gracie Concepts® BJJ belt ranks recognized? If so, by whom?
Answer: Professor Franco Vacirca is the highest-ranking BJJ instructor in Europe and has been awarded the prestigious 7th-degree Coral Belt by Grandmaster Joe Moreira (Red Belt, 9th degree). Professor Franco has been working with Grandmaster Rickson Gracie since the founding of the JJGF/Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation in 2014. In addition, Prof. Franco is a founding member of the IBJJF/International BJJ Federation and is certified by Grandmaster Carlos Gracie Jr. with a 6th-degree black belt.
All belts and certifications awarded by Gracie Concepts® are therefore officially recognized by the USFBJJ, JJGF, and IBJJF.
If you wish, you can also obtain certification from the JJGF (www.jjgf.com) and/or IBJJF (www.ibjjf.com) for an additional fee. This requires written confirmation from Prof. Franco. No examination or additional testing is required.
All belt certifications by Gracie Concepts® HQ are included in the annual license for all members.
Question: Are the Gracie Concepts® techniques (programs) the same as those taught at Gracie University?
Answer: We have adopted a unique and authentic 54-lesson curriculum developed by our Grandmaster and mentor, Pedro Hemetério (10th-degree red belt). He served as Grandmaster Hélio Gracie’s assistant from the early 1960s until Gracie’s death in October 2009, while also running his own school in São Paulo, Brazil.
The 54-lesson plan has nothing to do with the GU program. Please remember that the foundations were laid by GM Hélio Gracie. That's why you'll find (similar) things everywhere, but it's the details that make the difference. We strictly adhere to the teaching program specified by Professor Pedro, even though the techniques have been "further developed" by the Vacirca brothers and adapted to modern times.
It is therefore important that our Gracie Concepts® partner schools follow our 54-lesson plan from the outset. Please note that Gracie Concepts® (or the Vacirca brothers) are not representatives of Gracie University, but we maintain a good and respectful relationship with them.
Question: I am participating in the ICP course in Berlin. When I complete the ICP course, will I be a blue belt?
Answer: After completing the ICP course (regardless of where and with whom), you will be (re)evaluated based on your overall Gracie Jiu-Jitsu knowledge and your "time in belt" with us. The ICP course is designed to teach Gracie Concepts® instructors the entire 54-lesson plan so that they learn how to work with their students to teach authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Question: I’m a BJJ black belt from another BJJ team. Can I become a Gracie Concepts® instructor? Can I join your network and get certified?
Answer: Regardless of your background (martial arts, BJJ, jiu-jitsu, or ju-jutsu) and your current belt level, all Gracie Concepts® instructors must have completed the entire ICP course.
There are no “shortcuts” when it comes to certifying our members. If you have BJJ experience, you can keep your (current) belt. Once you have completed the first part of the ICP course (Gracie Fundamentals), we will re-evaluate your BJJ belt. Please note that we do not recognize existing belts! This rule also applies to BJJ black belt holders.
Question: Do I need to have BJJ competition experience? Do I need to participate in BJJ tournaments?
Answer: Participating in BJJ tournaments is not mandatory for you as an instructor or for your students. Each member decides for themselves what their priorities are!
Competitive experience has never hurt anyone, so we encourage our BJJ athletes to participate in national, regional, and international BJJ events if they wish to do so… However, professional preparation is essential. Unfortunately, injuries at BJJ and grappling tournaments are not uncommon, which is why thorough and, above all, intensive preparation is necessary.
Question: I come from a background in MMA! Can I become a Gracie Concepts® instructor?
Answer: Whether you come from MMA, Wing Tsun, Krav Maga, BJJ, or any other martial art, as long as you follow our rules, you’re more than welcome!
Everyone at Gracie Concepts® must follow the same rules and code of conduct and complete the same training program (curriculum) to ensure our high quality standards. We make no exceptions!
Question: What will I learn in the ICP courses over a weekend?
Answer: Typically, in Zurich, the Gracie Fundamentals (Lessons 1 through 23) are taught on Saturday, and the Gracie Intermediate and/or Gracie Advanced (Lessons 24 through 54) are taught on Sunday.
The weekends are not just about watching or practicing individual classes or lessons; rather, they are designed to give participants the opportunity to interact with one another—under the supervision of professors and ICP instructors—and to improve and refine their techniques.
That is why it is highly recommended to attend an ICP course or seminar as a pair, so that you can take home as many details as possible.
Question: Can I also take the ICP course in private lessons?
Answer: In some cases, the ICP course in Zurich can also be taken in a small private group. The interaction among (future) ICP teachers is very important to us. We recommend bringing a fellow trainee with you.
Question: How long does it take to get a black belt?
Answer: That depends entirely on you! It usually takes between eight and ten years to achieve a black belt in BJJ / Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Our 54-lesson plan ensures that our students receive a solid foundation and can continue to develop through additional training and teaching materials.
Question: If I (coach) start now as a blue belt, how long will it take to reach purple belt?
Answer: That depends entirely on you! As an instructor, you’ll need to attend ICP seminars and work through various scenarios. It usually takes about two years, but ultimately Professor Franco (along with your local instructor) will decide whether you’re ready for the next belt rank.
Question: How much are the registration and membership fees for schools? And are there also exam fees to pay for stripes and belts?
Answer: In the first year of membership, the registration fee for partner schools is 10 student licenses, which amounts to CHF 700 / EUR 600. Starting in the second year and every year thereafter, all of your BJJ/GJJ students must be registered through you as an instructor/partner school and purchase the annual student license for CHF 70 / EUR 60 (per person).
As an Academy, you must have at least 20 students; otherwise, you will remain affiliated as a team (with at least 10 student licenses) in your second year.
Question: Does the BJJ kimono (gi) have to be a certain color, or does it not matter?
Answer: The kimono must be white, blue, or black. The official Gracie Concepts® gi is white, as many masters, such as Grand Master Royce Gracie, only allow white gis during their seminars and training sessions.
Question: As a partner school, are we also registered with the JJGF and/or IBJJF?
Answer:
Academy: As soon as your partner school has been accepted and recognized by us at Gracie Concepts® HQ, it will be registered by Professor Franco with the JJGF (at www.jjgf.com) on the same day and will thus also be recognized. We will cover the registration fees.
Team: As a team (with 10 or more licenses), you will be provisionally registered for one calendar year. If you do not reach at least 20 licenses in the coming year (essentially an Academy), we can extend this status for another twelve months.
However, further extensions as a team are no longer possible, and your entry will be deleted immediately.
Garage: Gracie Concepts® garages are listed separately at www.graciegarage.com and are not subject to any “minimum” student license requirement (though limited to a maximum of nine (9) people).
Anyone wishing to receive an official graduation must obtain a license through the HQ Dojo. Click here to register online >>
Last updated: April 2026/fv
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