Career path
How to Become a Taekwondo Instructor or Referee in the US
Teaching and refereeing are two separate paths with different rules. This guide lays out the Kukkiwon instructor course, the USA Taekwondo referee ladder and what each level asks for.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 29, 2026To teach at a high level you need a black belt and, for the Kukkiwon Master Course, a 4th dan and an age of at least 18. The course is 5 days and 40 hours. To referee in the US, you need USA Taekwondo membership, to be 16 or older and to hold a 1st dan black belt, then you move up from D-2 to A-1 by passing seminars and officiating sanctioned tournaments. An international referee recommendation asks for age 25 or older, a Kukkiwon 4th dan and 20 sanctioned events in five years.
| Kukkiwon Master Course (3rd Class) | 4th dan, age 18 or older |
|---|---|
| Course length | 5 days, 40 hours |
| Entry-level US referee | D-2: 16 or older, 1st dan |
| Top US referee level | A-1 |
| International referee recommendation | 25 or older, 4th dan, 20 sanctioned events in 5 years |
Two paths: instructor and referee
| Path | What it covers | Governing body |
|---|---|---|
| Instructor | Teaching classes and running a school | Kukkiwon (certificates), your school or association |
| Referee | Officiating sanctioned sparring tournaments | USA Taekwondo (US), World Taekwondo (international) |
You can do both, but the requirements are separate. Both start with a black belt. If you are not there yet, read our black belt guide and estimate your timeline with the dan waiting time calculator.
Kukkiwon courses for instructors
Kukkiwon runs its Master Course through the World Taekwondo Academy. The page lists two tracks.
| Course | Who can take it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Class course (certified) | Kukkiwon 4th dan, age 18 or older | 5 days, 40 hours (8 hours a day) |
| 2nd Class course (certified) | Kukkiwon 6th dan and a 3rd Class Master Certificate | Next level up |
| 1st Class course (certified) | Kukkiwon 8th dan and a 2nd Class Master Certificate | Top level |
| Diploma course (non-certified) | Kukkiwon 2nd or 3rd dan, age 18 or older | After promotion to 4th dan, graduates can become eligible for a Master Certificate with documents, extra fees and an application |
So the first certified course opens at 4th dan, and the diploma course lets 2nd and 3rd dans start earlier. See our Kukkiwon certification guide for how dan certificates are issued.
Teaching in the US
Requirements to run a class come from your association, your insurance carrier and your landlord. USA Taekwondo offers a coach membership that lists SafeSport training, insurance and coach education. Before you open or take over a class, get a first aid course and a background check, and ask your insurer what credentials it requires.
USA Taekwondo referee levels
| Level | Age | Time and exams | Tournaments needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-2 | 16 | Seminar with written and practical exams | None |
| D-1 | 16 | 6 months as D-2, seminar | 1 sanctioned tournament since D-2 |
| C-2 | 18 | 1 year as D-1, seminar | 1 since D-1 |
| C-1 | 18 | 2 seminars | 2 since C-2 |
| B-2 | 20 | 1 year as C-1, 2 seminars at a National event | 3 since C-1 |
| B-1 | 20 | 2 Kyorugi seminars at a National event | 4 since B-2 |
| A-2 | 22 | 2 years as B-1, 2 seminars at a National event | 5 since B-1, including 2 National Qualifiers or Junior Olympics |
| A-1 | 22 | 2 seminars at a National event, 1 National event a year for 3 years | 5, including 3 National Qualifiers or Junior Olympics |
All levels require current USA Taekwondo membership, a 1st dan black belt (red belt holders can receive a provisional certificate), US citizenship or permanent residency, and the ability to meet the physical demands of refereeing.
International referee recommendation
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | US citizen |
| Age | 25 or older |
| Kukkiwon rank | 4th dan, or 3rd dan for P Class |
| Referee level | Current A-1 or A-2, with at least one year at A level |
| Experience | 20 sanctioned events in the past five years |
| Evaluations | Superior grades on the last five National event evaluations |
| Approval | USA Taekwondo CEO and Referee Chair |
That is a long climb. At the listed minimums the timed steps alone add up to 4.5 years: 6 months from D-2 to D-1, 1 year from D-1 to C-2, 1 year from C-1 to B-2 and 2 years from B-1 to A-2.
A realistic timeline
| Step | Earliest |
|---|---|
| D-2 certification | Age 16, 1st dan |
| D-1 | 6 months after D-2 |
| C-2 | 1 year after D-1, age 18 |
| A-2 | Age 22 and 2 years as B-1 |
| International recommendation | Age 25 and 4th dan |
If you want to start teaching, begin by assisting at your own school, then add certifications as your rank allows. Before you commit to a school as a student, read how to choose a taekwondo school.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to become a taekwondo instructor?
A black belt is the starting point. The Kukkiwon Master Course (3rd Class) requires a Kukkiwon 4th dan and an age of at least 18. The course lasts 5 days, 40 hours.
Can a 2nd or 3rd dan take a Kukkiwon instructor course?
Yes, through the diploma course, which is open to 2nd and 3rd dans aged 18 or older. It is non-certified, and graduates can become eligible for a Master Certificate after promotion to 4th dan.
How old do you have to be to referee taekwondo in the US?
16 for the D levels, 18 for C-2 and C-1, 20 for B-2 and B-1, and 22 for A-2 and A-1. All levels need a 1st dan black belt.
What is the first USA Taekwondo referee level?
D-2. It needs USA Taekwondo membership, a 1st dan black belt (a provisional certificate is possible for red belts), US citizenship or permanent residency, and passing a seminar with written and practical exams.
How long does it take to become an A-level referee?
The timed minimums are 6 months as D-2, 1 year as D-1, 1 year as C-1 before B-2 and 2 years as B-1 before A-2, which is 4.5 years. You must also be 22 or older and have officiated the required tournaments.
What does an international referee recommendation require?
Age 25 or older, US citizenship, Kukkiwon 4th dan (3rd dan for P Class), current A-1 or A-2 status with a year at A level, 20 sanctioned events in the past five years and strong evaluations at five National events.
Do I need insurance to teach?
Insurance is part of the USA Taekwondo coach membership. Your landlord or association may also ask for it, so confirm what applies before you start.