At what grade do you start Kumite?

[ShoriKid]

Night one you are invited to spar. Big gloves with the more experienced students or the instructors.

Matsubayashi Ryu dojo I began started at 8th kyu and then with the black belts only for a little bit. Once they knew you wouldn't kill anyone, you were open to spar with anyone in class.

[DWx]

For us it's usually somewhere around 6-12 months of training. First you get introduced to some drills then one-for-one sparring (exchanging attacks) and some semi-free sparring (exchanging combos). Then you can begin to free spar. Your ability to free spar isn't part of the exams till around 5th gup.

[Kuma]

From day one, with appropriate contact depending on the person.