The Kobudo-ka must be able to comply with all Kobudo requirements as set forth by the Kobudo division of the International Shuri-Ryu Association. All three requirements of age, rank and time must be met.
- Gakusei: (Kyu and/or junior level) must be 12 years of age or over, must hold a martial arts rank of 4th to 1st kyu and must have at least 3 to 7 years experience in an unarmed martial art. Gakusei level Kobudo-ka must be able to perform the same number of weapons and forms as the Gakusha level. 3 weapons and 4 forms are required.
- Gakusha:(Student level) must be 17 to 34 years of age, must hold a martial arts rank of 1st to 2nd Dan and must have at least 8 years experience in an unarmed martial art. 4 weapons and 5 forms are required.
- Tachi: (Intermediate teacher level) must be 17 to 34 years of age, must hold a martial arts rank of 3rd to 4th Dan and must have at least 8 years experience in an unarmed martial art. 5 weapons and 5 forms are required.
- Renshi: (Teacher level) must be 35 to 49 years of age, hold a martial arts rank of 5th to 6th Dan and must have at least 18 to 29 years experience in an unarmed martial art. 6 weapons and 6 forms as well as two or more registered Kobudo-ka are required.
- Kyoshi: (Master level) must be 50 to 59 years of age, must hold a martial arts rank of 7th to 8th Dan, must be recognized by at least 2 or more foreign countries and /or 2 or more authentic Grandmasters of 8th to 9th Dan and must have at least 30 to 40 years experience in an unarmed martial art. 7 weapons and 8 forms plus bunkai are required.
- Hanshi: (Grandmaster level) must be 60 years of age or over, must hold a martial arts rank of 9th to 10th Dan, must be recognized by at least 2 or more foreign countries and/or 2 or more authentic Grandmasters of 9th to 10th Dan and must have at least 40 years or more experience in an unarmed martial art. 8 weapons and 10 forms are required.
Additionally, all Kobudo-ka are required to know or be aware of the following for rank:
- History of each weapon and at least 5 immobilization self defenses and 20 or more disabling techniques with each weapon performed with perfect focus (buki kime).
- Must be able to defend with all weapons against the Bo or Jo.
- Must be able to perform and manipulate each weapon in the four basic postures of standing, kneeling, siting and lying down.
- Three attached to hand weapons are considered the same as one manipulatable weapon (bunkai).
- Must have no history of acts of violence or mental instability.