During the JU-JITSU CONGRESS in Israel (April 99), the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) officially announced that everything has been accomplished for Ju-Jitsu to be recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a Full Olympic Sport. In 1998, the IOC adopted the World Games as the "Third Leg" of the Olympics! The JJIF conducted Ju-Jitsu Competition in the 1997 World Games and again conducted "World Class" Ju-Jitsu Competition in the World Games in 2001 in Atika, Japan. Ju-Jitsu is a World Games sport.

This is Great News! Congratulations to all of our National & International Ju-Jitsu Leaders!

There has been a lot of Effort and Leadership to make this happen. Today, the JJIF consists of approx. 50 Countries with National Ju-Jitsu Federations. The United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is the USA National Federation for Ju-Jitsu under the JJIF. The USJJF is the National Governing Body (NGB) for Ju-Jitsu in the USA with the Ju-Jitsu International Federation. In 1999, the USJJF began also working with the Canada and Mexico Ju-Jitsu Federations in the North American Ju-Jitsu Union.

All of this development has been based on a "standardized" set of International Competition Rules which have been adopted by the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), (the International Sports Federation recognized by the IOC) and the International World Games Association. These Competition Rules have been established by the JJIF and have been adopted by the USJJF as a Member of the JJIF.

The JJIF Rules consist of two types of competition. The first program is referred as "DUO" or Self Defense Competition. The second program of competition is the Kumite or "Free Fighting" Competition. The detailed competition rules can be found here.

The JJIF has established three levels of Referee License for International Competition. The 3 levels are as follows:

World Class Referee (World Games, World Championship and "Future" Olympic Level Competition) & lower level competitions.
International Class Referee (International Competition) & lower level competitions.
Continental Class Referee (Continental Championships) & lower level competitions.

NOTE: See the JJIF Referee Qualifications & Fees on the JJIF Website.

The USJJF has established four levels of Referee License for the National Competition Program. The 4 levels are as follows:

National Class "A" Referee (National Championships) & lower level competitions (both DUO & KUMITE Competition).

Qualifications: Successful completion of Class "A" Referee Course & Exams (minimum grade of 85% on both exams), minimum of two years experience as a Class "B" Referee and recommended by the National Referee Committee.

Duration of License: Three years

Issued by: National Referee Committee

Min. Rank: SANDAN, 3^rd DAN BLACK BELT

License Fee: $100.00

Regional Class "B" Referee (Regional Championships) & lower level competitions (both DUO & KUMITE Competition).

Qualifications: Successful completion of Class "B" Referee Course & Exams (with min. grade of 85% on both exams), minimum of two years experience as a Class "C" Referee and recommended by a RJJO or the National Referee Committee.

Duration of License: Three years

Issued by: National Referee Committee

Min. Rank: NIDAN, 2^nd DAN BLACK BELT

License Fee: $75.00

State Class "C" Referee (State Championships) & lower level competitions (both DUO & KUMITE Competitions).

Qualifications: Successful completion of Class "C" Referee Course & Exams (with min. grade of 70% on both exams)

Duration of License: Three years

Issued by: National Referee Committee

Min. Rank: SHODAN, 1^st Dan BLACK BELT

License Fee: $50.00

State Class "D" Referee (State Level "Referee-In-Training")

State & local level competitions.

Qualifications: Same as Class "C" Referee

Min. Rank: 1^st Kyu, Brown Belt

Duration of License: Indefinite - until promoted to 1^st Dan Black Belt (automatically elevated to Class "C" Referee)

Issued by: National Referee Committee

License Fee: $50.00

Note: Referee License Renewal Fee is of initial license fee.

For further details or questions, or if you would like to schedule a referees course in your area, please call the USJJF National Office at 775-851-8875, Fax at 775-851-8871 or see our Contact Information page.

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