Instructor Certification

In many martial arts styles, the assumption traditionally has been that once students earn their black belts they are ready to teach other students. But the ATA does not believe that simply being able to do something well qualifies a person to teach it. During the last 30 years, the ATA has developed an intensive instructor training program to insure that all ATA instructors are skilled and professional teachers.

Before becoming certified, ATA black belts spend 2-3 years as instructor trainees, during which time they are required to teach at least 300 hours under the supervision of a senior instructor. They are required to earn certification in CPR and Youth Protection, to write a research paper on some aspect of martial arts training, and to attend instruction seminars. Finally, they must pass several written and practical tests and submit to ATA headquarters a video of themselves teaching Taekwondo, for Grand Master Lee's instruction staff to evaluate. Instructors must repeat these requirements every few years in order to retain their certification.

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Last modified: June 13, 2000

The American Taekwondo Association holds a copyright on the Songahm Taekwondo curriculum. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
For more information regarding the American Taekwondo Association, contact ATA Headquarters