Fees for gradings

[powerof0ne]

I promoted someone to brown belt after 2 years of private lessons with me, this is the quickest I have ever promoted someone but he was training around 5 days a week with me at least an hour and a half each time, all private.

I also only charged him for the cost of the belt and certificate(s)..made no profit off of him but that's because I also had him fight for me in Muay Thai and Kickboxing competition..long story.

[Zaine]

My school has a belt fee of 5 bucks, but thats it.

[Fish]

We have a fee for gradings, which are usually on Saturdays. I don't resent it. The various senseis give up their time to grade us and the last three gradings I have been graded by the chief instructor of our club. On each occasion, he has taken me to one side and given me advice on how to improve. So I have paid for the instruction as well as the grading itself.

[jaymac]

I think that there are alot of inexperienced minds at work by calling every school (dojo) system that is not comparable to their own "mcDojo". Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of schools out there that can fall under that catagory. Tell me how much you think it costs to open a school on non traditional class days to test up to 100 - 150 students. People including the test takers are in the dojo for hours using the restrooms and restroom products, water, heat or air conditioning, electricity, and we have a pizza party at the end. If there was not a minimal testing fee per student, we could not have such a memorable day for these individuals. Instructors could not take time from their own jobs to participate in conducting tests. We are not charging an arm or a leg here. $15 - $25 per person (depending on what color belt they test for) is not asking too try to keep some excitement in a students career in a dojo.

[lordtariel]

Mine depends on how you enrolled. If you agree to a 2 year or longer enrollment, all belt fees(except black belt), organization dues, and starting equipment are covered in your tuition(which is actually $10-15 per month cheaper than a shorter enrolment). Otherwise, I believe it's $15 a belt test.

[HongKongFooey]

Zero. We pay nothing for belt tests.

HKF

[Sohan]

My dojo also does not charge for belt exams. I don't, however, hold it against a school that does charge a testing fee. Provided the fee structure is clear, and charges are reasonable for the level and dojo costs incurred, I think a nominal fee can be appropriate.

The issue I have is with Grandmasters charging thousands of dollars for "visits" where the visitor leaves with a newly minted Shodan, Nidan, etc. This diminishes the integrity of the system and commoditizes the art.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[Dlove]

Tong il Lo students have to pay testing fees, they start at 25.00. It does not bother me to pay, I know what thet money goes for as far as new belt, rank certificate exam paper work that is used in the testing and time for the classroom, when we test our intructors will close class for the entire day, got to help cover that cost somehow...

[jaymac]

Dlove said "when we test our intructors will close class for the entire day, got to help cover that cost somehow..." My point exactly.

[ninjanurse]

Belt testing fees are a controversial subject indeed. I have seen it all through my travels and have a definite opinion on this. We (as instructors) expect our students to work hard and be sharp and they pay us (in most cases) for our guidance and knowledge. I don't feel it is justified to charge a student for a kyu grading that generally takes place in class during daily training-I'm not in it for the testing fees! Black Belt grading is another story as this usually takes place outside of class, involves registration through one or more organizations, and often includes visiting Masters, etc.

Now having said that: I charge my students what my Master Instructor charges me for a belt and certificate. Nothing more.