Despite what most grapplers think, becoming a BJJ instructor is possible if you put in the work, time, and effort. Today, there are a few major Jiu-Jitsu schools that a person can go through in order to become a certified instructor.
Gracie Academy Basic Certification
The Gracie Academy provides instructor certification at five different levels. For example, in order to earn a “level one” instructor status, you’ll need to pass the Gracie Academy blue belt test with a score that exceeds 90. You’ll then need to visit the Gracie headquarters in California (you’ll be responsible for living and travel expenses) where in-person training sessions take place. Afterwards, you’ll be able to become a certified instructor for the Gracie Academy.
Rigan Machado
Gracie Academy Advanced BJJ Instructor Training
After achieving your basic certification with the Gracie Academy, you’ll then be able to go on and increase your level of certification. Eventually you can become an advanced instructor (assuming that you demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge and physical capabilities for the sport). After receiving an advanced certificate, you’ll be able to promote students to higher belts and even open up your own gym.
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
One important thing to remember is that all certified black belts is automatically certified to teach and award belts to grapplers who are at levels below them. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation prefers that instructors begin teaching when they’re still blue or purple belts as this will provide them with more teaching experience once they become a black belt. However, the only way for a black belt to teach another black belt would before for them to acquire a second-degree black belt.
USA Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Training Course
The USA Jiu-Jitsu organization, like the others on this page, offers their own program that can allow you to become a certified BJJ Instructor. There are various training programs all across the United States, and generally take place over three days – Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Upon completing these three days of training, students will be able to earn their instructor’s stripe on their black belt, meaning that they’ll be able to teach all black belts and below.
The primary benefit of becoming a certified BJJ instructor is that you’ll be able to open up your own gym and earn a living doing what you love. Few can argue that teaching Jiu-Jitsu as a profession can be a lot of fun (and relieve a lot of stress)!