A system of recognizing and signifying the proficiency level of a practitioner - based upon knowledge, experience, and skill.

Comments:

The determination of ranking level is typically done by changes in color of the entire belt, portions of the belt, or by belt tips.

Any rank below black belt is typically referred to as a lower rank, colored belt, or que belt.

Any rank above black belt is typically referred to as a degree or a "dan".

Each of the individual ranks can have one or more tips to indicate the sub-level within that rank.  The standard is to have one tip for each of the colored belts and ten tips for black belt - though many instructors deviate from this standard, when it comes to the colored belts, and in particular, when dealing with children's ranks.

In Kenpo Belt Ranking is as follows:

Colored Belts:

Beginner

White

Yellow

Intermediate

Orange

Purple

Skilled

Blue

Green

Advanced (or semi-expert)

Brown - 1st Degree (or 3rd Que)

Brown - 2nd Degree (or 2nd Que)

Brown - 3rd Degree (or 1st Que)

Black Belts (highly advanced or expert):

Instructor

First Degree - Junior Instructor

Second Degree - Associate Instructor

Third Degree - Head Instructor

Fourth Degree - Senior Instructor

Professor

Fifth Degree - Associate Professor

Sixth Degree - Professor

Seventh Degree - Senior Professor

Master

Eighth Degree - Associate Master of the Arts

Ninth Degree - Master of the Arts

Tenth Degree - Grand Master of the Arts

Founder

Tenth Degree - Senior Grand Master of the Arts

A.K.A.:

Belt Ranking System, Grade, Rank

Related Definition(s):

Creed, Pledge, System, Tip