Taekwondo is a combat sport and martial art that requires trainees to develop and acquire technical skills which require dedication to master. Regular and periodic grading sessions (essentially technical skills examinations) are conducted by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) and its affiliates (clubs).
Only STF accredited Grading Assessors (https://www.stf.sg/list-of-qualified-assessors/ ) and appointed Examiners (https://www.stf.sg/board-of-examiners/) may conduct such grading sessions. After each grading, a trainee is assigned a belt colour to indicate their technical skills competency. Each belt progression is an important achievement milestone for Taekwondo practitioners. Please refer to the graphic illustration on belt progression shown below.
2 Traditionally, all grading was centralised and conducted only by appointed STF Examiners. STF Examiners are appointed only after attaining the necessary qualifications and have demonstrated exemplary conduct. To enable business continuity when Covid-19 safety measures were in place, STF conducted the Grading Assessor Accreditation Course to enable STF affiliates to conduct decentralised grading for White to Red belt while ensuring that Grading Assessors possess a higher degree of technical competency. Grading for Poom/Black belt would continue to be conducted by STF appointed Examiners at STF organised grading sessions.
3 Due to Covid-19 safety measures affecting participation in STF courses to acquire the required technical certification, STF provided leeway and awarded the Grading Assessor accreditation to those who had achieved the following:
- 4th Dan Black Belt
- Poomsae and Kyorugi Referee Class 3
- NCAP Level 1 full certification/SG Coach Level 1 (full integrated)
- Poomsae Coach Level 2 certification
- Passed the Grading Assessor Accreditation course
4 STF affiliates have enjoyed the benefits of decentralised grading and the Taekwondo community has grown accustomed to it. Hence decentralised grading will continue to be practiced.
5 From 2026 STF will be increasing the technical competency of Grading Assessors who would need to meet the following requirements by 2029 to be accorded the Grading Assessor accreditation:
- 5th Dan Black Belt
- Poomsae and Kyorugi Referee Class 2
- NCAP Level 1 full certification/ SG Coach Level 1 (full integrated)
- Poomsae Coach Level 2 certification
- Passed the Grading Assessor Accreditation course
6 Those aspiring to become a Garding Assessor may participate in the STF Grading Assessor Accreditation Course (conducted at a frequency determined by STF; currently every three years) which also serves as a Refresher Course for existing Grading Assessors (compulsory for them to participate in to renew their Grading Assessor Accreditation).
7 In 2026, the Grading Assessor Accreditation Course has been scheduled to take place on 18 April 2026 (https://www.stf.sg/news/education/stf-grading-assessor-accreditation-course-and-refresherseminar-2026-course-date-amendment/). Interested registrants who are unable to fully satisfy all the pre-requisites stated in the course outline may submit an appeal to ceo@stf.org.sg providing details to support the waiver of any pre-requisites.