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 4th Gray, you must also work 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 teenagers (under 16 years of age) who are learning jiu-jitsu are also classified into the following belt colors: gray (toddlers), yellow, orange, and green. Starting at age 16, blue = adults.
