RECOGNITION by CANADIAN JU-JITSU CONFEDERATION ® (CJJC®)
The CJJC serves as the registry for official ju-jitsu rank in Canada and represents to the National Governing Body recognized ju-jitsu grades of Canadian citizens. When registering new CJJC members who have ju-jitsu rank, it is important to understand the difference between homologation or validation of ju-jitsu rank and promotion in ju-jitsu rank. A promotion is the awarding of the next higher rank to a member who already has his or her rank certified with the CJJC. It can only be accomplished when the CJJC member fulfills all the requirements for their next promotion in the Canadian Ju-Jitsu Confederation Rank System or in a Ju-Jitsu Rank System from a recognized ju-jitsu organization as determined by the CJJC Technical Committee.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMOLOGATION AND VALIDATION
For students or instructors who wish to join the CJJC and already have rank in ju-jitsu, the CJJC rank system provides procedures for homologation and validation. Homologation is the issuance of CJJC credentials for ju-jitsu rank possessed by a prospective or current member when that rank has been issued by a recognized ju-jitsu organization. Validation is the examination of a prospective or current member to obtain CJJC credentials for a ju-jitsu rank issued by an unrecognized ju-jitsu organization, or for which no credentials are possessed.
Each procedure, homologation or validation is explained below. These procedures apply to all new members with ju-jitsu rank of Brown Belt or higher. New members, with lower ranks may be registered at their current rank with approval of their Instructor.
HOMOLOGATING NEW MEMBERS WITH ACCEPTABLE RANK CREDENTIALS
Homologation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member (Brown Belt or higher) who has proof of rank in the form of a rank card or certificate that is recognized by the Central Technical Committee of the CJJC.
In keeping with the National and International Standards of Minimum Age Requirements for Dan Grades, the CJJC does require that minimum ages are considered when issuing Homologated Certification for rank issued by other ju-jitsu organizations.
Note: There are many ju-jitsu organizations whose rank credentials are recognized by the CJJC. If the new member has acceptable rank credentials, he or she may have their rank certified in the CJJC at the current Ju-Jitsu rank.
CJJC Rank Homologation will be issued to only CJJC recognized ju-jitsu instructor’s. The system will need to be recognized first before any issuance of Rank certificate is issued to an individual. The CJJC Technical Advisor Shihan C.D. Bissett will be directly involved in any Homologation or Rank certificate higher than Shichidan.
In order for a ju-jitsu system to be recognized by the CJJC, all of the following criteria must be met:
1. The ju-jitsu system's senior black belts must be current members of the CJJC.
2. The ju-jitsu system's complete curriculum and history must be on file at the CJJC National Office.
3. The ju-jitsu system's most current roster of instructor / examiners must be on file at the CJJC National Office.
4. The ju-jitsu system's black belts must be certified with the CJJC (with their personal martial arts "Bio", photo, copies of all their rank certificates and references on file at the CJJC National Office).
5. The senior black belts of each new "applicant system" are required to attend a National Seminar, Camp or place and time coordinated through the CJJC National Office in order to present and demonstrate their system to the CJJC Senior Council for induction into the CJJC Yudanshakai.
VALIDATION OF JU-JITSU RANK
Validation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member who has no acceptable proof of ju-jitsu rank. Instructors and prospective members should understand clearly that when we refer to a new member’s credentials as "unacceptable" there is absolutely no reflection on the member’s technical competence in Ju-Jitsu, (nor their character). However, the term "unacceptable" merely means that the credentials the member possesses are not issued by a recognized ju-jitsu organization.
Validation is also a method by which a new member can be registered at the ju-jitsu rank that he or she is best qualified to hold. If the new member has not participated in a nationally, standardized rank system, he or she may not have been promoted to the rank now held by contemporaries in skill, knowledge and experience. Validation is the method for correcting this situation. Validation is the detailed process by which the CJJC examines new members to verify their credentials or to determine the rank they are best qualified to hold. It involves a thorough examination of their ju-jitsu knowledge, technical ability, a historical review of their ju-jitsu experience, and their service to ju-jitsu. The historical review may go back to their first day of training (and their Instructor) or to the date of their last "acceptable" rank credentials. All new members who do not possess acceptable rank credentials must have their rank validated to be registered with the CJJC holding the rank of Brown Belt or higher. As with CJJC promotions, the member must belong to a CJJC member club to be eligible for rank validation.
If the validation is for a Kyu (Brown Belt or below) grade, then the examination must be performed by a certified CJJC Black Belt (and current member of the Confederation). If the validation is for a Dan (Black Belt) grade, then the examiner must be a certified CJJC Black Belt who is at least two grades higher than the rank validation level of the new member. The examiner for all validations or promotions must be a Certified Instructor/Examiner of the CJJC. The examiner will utilize the CJJC Request for Validation of Ju-Jitsu Rank Form and send it with the individual’s membership application and appropriate fees to the CJJC National Office for processing. The National Office will insure that the forms are properly completed and will forward to the new member (or their Instructor) a National Membership Card, CJJC Rank Certificate and a CJJC Patch.
Note: The CJJC Request for Validation Form has all of the necessary instructions for completion and the current validation fees. Promotions, Homologations or Validations for Ju-Jitsu Rank of Godan (5th Dan) and higher must be approved by the CJJC Senior Council. Additionally, the CJJC Senior Council has approved the institution of minimal time in grade and age requirements for all CJJC Dan Levels.
CJJC is the Canadian National Governing Body and the partner for International Governing Bodies for Ju-Jitsu, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF), and as such must abide by their rules and regulations. We simply cannot accept rank credentials or recognize organizations that do not meet requirements of the International Governing Body. Furthermore, CJJC is a ju-jitsu and tai-jitsu organization and as such does not register karate, taekwondo, kung fu and like credentials. There are appropriate organizations for those martial arts. We highly recommend that you consider one of the organizations listed in our Partners & Affiliates Section for credentials in these other arts. If ju-jitsu or judo certification is desired, the member must meet the CJJC Rank Requirements or the Ju-Jitsu Rank Requirements of a Recognized Ju-Jitsu System or Organization.
Finally, the CJJC does deal in reciprocity. That is, if an organization or country does not recognize CJJC rank, the CJJC will not recognize grades issued by that organization or country. However, if an organization or a country recognizes CJJC certification but does not meet the high international ju-jitsu / jiu-jitsu standards, CJJC cannot recognize grades issued by that organization or country.
To register your ju-jitsu rank with the CJJC, contact either your registered style or system organization, or the CJJC National Office at Bay 39 - 26409 Township Road 532A, Parkland County, Alberta, T7X 0W7 or by phone at (587) 876-3222.