BLUE STRIPE
- 2–4 years as a student.
- All annual license fees paid on time.
- Minimum age 16 years.
PURPLE STRIPE
- At least 2 years as a student with a blue belt.
- All annual license fees paid on time.
- Blue belt examination by an official GC instructor or Prof. Franco Vacirca.
- Minimum age 17 years.
BROWN BELT
- At least 2 years as a student with a purple belt.
- All annual license fees paid on time.
- Awarding of the purple belt by an official GC instructor or Prof. Franco Vacirca.
- Minimum age 19 years.
BLACK BELT
- At least 2 years as a student with a brown belt.
- All annual license fees paid on time.
- Brown belt awarded by Prof. Franco Vacirca.
- Minimum age 21 years.
Athlete/Instructor Ranks:
1st to 3rd Dan – at least 3–5 years of practice for each rank.
(The minimum age for 1st Dan black belt is 23.)
*Athletes can only advance up to the 3rd-degree black belt. Starting with the 4th-degree black belt, one must also serve as an instructor or assistant coach.
Teacher grades:
4th and 5th gray – at least 5 years of practice for each degree.
6th and 7th gray – at least 7 years of practice for each degree.
8. and 9. Gray – are only awarded by official international organizations.
10. Gray – awarded only to the founders of BJJ.
Belts for children and teenagers:
Children and adolescents (under 16 years of age) who learn jiu-jitsu are additionally classified into the following group colors: gray, yellow, orange, and green.
