3.3 The Certification Program for Coaches is divided into three different levels:
 
 An “Accredited Coach” is simply a coach that has been designated by his/her National Federation for this role, has signed off the Accreditation Agreement for Coaches, and has attended a compulsory coach briefing for accreditation.  This briefing will take the candidates through the elements of the Accreditation Agreement for Coaches, the WKF rules for protests and the WKF doping regulations. No formal test is required at this level.  The “Accredited Coach” is the minimum level required to take part in the Karate 1 events.*
  

 The second level, “Certified Kumite Coach” or “Certified Kata Coach”, requires the function as a coach on an international level, and passing a formal test on the rules for either Kumite or Kata (as applicable). In order to apply for the test, the applicant must have his/her Federation sign up the applicant for the test.  By applying the National Federation certifies that the applicant has been functioning as coach for national team member(s). If the applicant passes the written exam, a diploma will be issued to the applicant with an expiry period of three years.  After three years the applicant must repeat the written exam for re-certification.  The “Certified Kumite or Kata Coach” is the minimum level required to take part in the World Championships, whether Senior or Junior & Cadet and U21, in Kumite or Kata bouts, as it corresponds.

The exam is similar to the referee exam but with extra questions pertaining to coaching (from the WKF Coaches manual)

The exam can be sat at the K1, WKF World Championships or Youth Camp.

 The second level, “Certified Kumite Coach” or “Certified Kata Coach”, requires the function as a coach on an international level, and passing a formal test on the rules for either Kumite or Kata (as applicable). In order to apply for the test, the applicant must have his/her Federation sign up the applicant for the test.  By applying the National Federation certifies that the applicant has been functioning as coach for national team member(s). If the applicant passes the written exam, a diploma will be issued to the applicant with an expiry period of three years.  After three years the applicant must repeat the written exam for re-certification.  The “Certified Kumite or Kata Coach” is the minimum level required to take part in the World Championships, whether Senior or Junior & Cadet and U21, in Kumite or Kata bouts, as it corresponds.

The exam is similar to the referee exam but with extra questions pertaining to coaching (from the WKF Coaches manual)

The exam can be sat at the K1, WKF World Championships or Youth Camp.

 The third level, “Certified Karate Coach” may be awarded to coaches who have completed both the “Certified Kumite Coach” and “Certified Kata Coach” requirements, has served as a coach at WKF events for at least five years, does not have multiple rejected protests over the last two years, and has no record of breach of the Accreditation Agreement for Coaches for a period of five years. The Executive Committee will be able to make reasoned exceptions and also award directly this “Certified Karate Coach” level in special cases.

WORLD KARATE FEDERATION        REFEREEE COMMISSION
 
Information to all WKF Referees, Judges and Candidates                                                      

1. Kata & Kumite Candidates must be at least 25 years old and be a min. 2nd WKF Dan Grade.
 
2. The National Federations may nominate their country’s citizens as candidates to the WKF Referee course. Candidates must be qualified National Kumite Referee-A or National Kata JudgeA and must be registered Online through the WKF software provider at least 60 days before the start of the Course or face a fine or other penalties as decided by the Executive Committee.
 
3. Provided that an official keeps their licence up to date, attends a WKF Championship at least once in every two years, attends the pre-championship briefing and officiates satisfactorily then they will not be expected to undergo another practical examination, although they must sit and pass the theory paper which will be presented before the Referees briefing, once in every three years.
 
4. All Judges and Referees must renew (pay) their licences every four years. All current officials are required to be paid up to date with the WKF Treasury. Officials that do not pay the license renewal by the end of the year that the payment is due will not be able to officiate as WKF Judges/Referees until the payment is satisfied. Officials of countries in debt to WKF may not participate in WKF Championships or courses.
 
5. All refereeing officials who have not attended the course and wishing to officiate at the Championships must attend the briefing the day before the Championships. All Referees and Judges must be present at the competition venue for final briefing and area allocation, 30 minutes before the scheduled start.
 
6. Referees & Judges officiating in a WKF event cannot perform other functions and must not have the nationality of either of the participants during a Kata or Kumite bout.
 
7. The Refereeing panel are strictly warned against discussing the outcome or decision of a match or bout with other than the members of the Referee panel, Tatami Manager or the Referee Commission. Infringement of this rule may incur penalties against the offender.
 
8. Referees and Judges officiating in a WKF event must in principle have residence in the country they represent and be exclusively affiliated through the NF of their country of residence. Exceptions to this must be approved by the National Federation in which the individual has citizenship and will be subject to the final approval of WKF EC.
 
                                                                    Revised version 23th March 2015