The Instructor Certification Program is designed to develop and test candidates’ ability to
- master and teach Krav Maga techniques,
- understand Krav Maga principles and transfer this knowledge,
- and provide Krav Maga students the most powerful and effective learning experience possible.
The Program consists of 11 courses, each between 4 and 7 days long, collectively covering 7 levels in Krav Maga instruction. These courses challenge candidates physically and mentally. The training pushes candidates to their limits, and the testing is comprehensive. Candidates must demonstrate a command of the material in both the level for which they are testing and all prior levels.
Course: Phase A
Level 1 (Yellow Belt Instructor)
Phase A is a 7-day (56-hour) intensive instructor course that develops candidates’ physical skills, teaching skills, and fundamental knowledge to teach Level 1 Krav Maga classes. The course culminates with physical, teaching, and written examinations on the course material. Successful candidates typically have a robust athletic background and previous experience teaching self-defense or other contact-based sports. Candidates who pass Phase A are eligible to teach Level 1 Krav Maga classes.
Course: Phase B
Level 2 (Orange Belt Instructor)
Phase B is a 7-day (56-hour) intensive instructor course that reinforces and enhances the skills developed both during and after Phase A. Phase B covers additional techniques and expands on elements of distance, timing, altercation contexts, and teaching strategies. The course culminates with physical, teaching, and written examinations on the course material. Candidates who pass Phase B are eligible to teach Levels 1 and 2 Krav Maga classes, and lead student testing in Level 1 (Yellow Belt).
Course: Phase C
Level 3 (Green Belt Instructor)
Phase C is a 7-day (56-hour) intensive instructor course that expands on the material covered in Phases A and B. Phase C introduces basic weapons defenses and advanced ground fighting techniques. The physical and teaching examinations at the end of Phase C are cumulative, covering material in Levels 1 through 3, and requiring candidates to demonstrate an exceptional level of proficiency in Levels 1 and 2. Candidates who pass Phase C are eligible to teach Levels 1 through 3 Krav Maga classes, and lead student testing in Levels 1 and 2 (Yellow and Orange Belt). Successful Phase C candidates are considered, for the first time, full Krav Maga instructors.
Course: Expert I
Level 4 (Blue Belt Instructor)
Expert I is a 4-day (32-hour) intensive instructor course that refines skills learned in Phases A through C and introduces advanced techniques involving weapons and multiple attackers. Candidates must be able to perform and teach all foundational material in the Krav Maga system at an exceptional level, and use Krav Maga principles to resolve threats not yet encountered in previous training. Candidates who pass Expert I are eligible to teach Levels 1 through 4 Krav Maga classes, and lead student testing in Levels 1 through 3 (Yellow through Green Belt).
Course: Expert II
Level 5 (Brown Belt Instructor)
Expert II is a 4-day (32-hour) intensive instructor course that further builds on Expert I course concepts and explores new categories of training such as fighting methods, throws and defending against multiple armed attackers. Candidates who pass Expert II are eligible to teach Levels 1 through 5 Krav Maga classes, and lead student testing in Levels 1 through 4 (Yellow through Blue Belt).
Course: Expert III
Level: Black Belt Instructor (1 of 3)
Expert III is a 4-day (32-hour) intensive preparation course for black belt instructor candidates.
Course: Expert IV
Level: Black Belt Instructor (2 of 3)
Expert IV is a 4-day (32-hour) intensive preparation course for black belt instructor candidates.
Course: Expert V
Level: Black Belt Instructor (final)
Expert V is a 4-day (32-hour) cumulative instructor course that drills all aspects of the Krav Maga system under intense stress and in an unpredictable environment . This is a “by invitation only” course that is generally regarded as one of the most difficult courses of any martial art. Candidates who pass Expert V are eligible to teach Levels 1 through Black Belt Krav Maga classes, and lead student testing in Levels 1 through 5 (Yellow through Brown Belt).
Course: Expert VI
Level: 2nd Dan Black Belt Instructor (1 of 3)
Expert VI is a 4-day (32-hour) intensive preparation course for 2nd dan black belt instructor candidates.
Course: Expert VII
Level: 2nd Dan Black Belt Instructor (2 of 3)
Expert VII is a 4-day (32-hour) intensive preparation course for 2nd dan black belt instructor candidates.
Course: Expert VIII
Level: 2nd Dan Black Belt Instructor (final)
Expert VIII is a 4-day (32-hour) instructor course that addresses high level threats dealing specifically with 3rd party protection, hostage scenarios, and weapon vs. weapon altercations. Candidates who pass Expert VIII are eligible to teach Levels 1 through 2nd Dan Black Belt Krav Maga classes, and lead student testing in Levels 1 through 5 (Yellow through Brown Belt).
All Other Levels (Above 2nd Dan Black Belt)
*On rare occasions, instructors have reached levels above 2nd dan black belt. These instructors have committed their lives to the Krav Maga system, and are considered among the best Krav Maga practitioners and authorities in the world. Krav Maga Worldwide Chief Instructor Darren Levine was awarded the level of 6th dan black belt in 1997. Shortly thereafter, Krav Maga Founder Imi Lichtenfeld awarded Darren a Founder’s Diploma for Special Excellence in Krav Maga.
