Association Administrative Rules:

1. Centralized Administrative Structure:  Association will maintain a centralized Administrative structure.  Centralized administrative structure will be in effect on below mentioned areas:

   1. Issuance of Certifications and Credentials:  All Certifications are issued through the organization Central Office in Honolulu, Hawaii.  No other organizational body, that operates under Charter of this organization is allowed to issue their own certifications or ranking.  Designated country representatives can issue certification or ranking only directly through the Tao International Headquarters.  All issued certifications appear under the name of the certificate holder, upon searching the Association global database.

   2. Financial Matters:  All financial transactions take place directly through the association.  No organizational body, school or institution can collect fees, charge memberships etc. on behalf of the organization.   All membership inquiries at school level will be directed to the Association through use of the global website at www.TaoInternational.com web address.

   3. Organizational Structure at Global Level:  Each country representative represents a single style under the Association.  Each country may have multiple Country Representatives, representing their styles under the banner of the Association.  Certified Country Representatives will be listed in the association database for global search along with the style they represent in their respective countries.  Certification of Country Representatives is valid for three years and must be renewed at the end of the three year period.

   4. Organizational Structure at Country Level:  Each Certified Country representative is responsible for sub regions. Each Country representative may recommend several Regional Representatives to represent the style that is Registered by the Country Representative.  All Certified Regional Representatives will be listed on the Association database for global search.  Certification of Regional Representatives is valid for two years and must be renewed at the end of the two year period.

   5. Organizational Structure at Regional Level:  Each Certified Regional Representative may recommend several District Representatives.  All Certified District Representatives will be listed on the Association database for global search.  Certification of District Representatives is valid for two years and must be renewed at the end of the two year period.

   6. Organizational Structure at District Level:  Each Certified District representative may recommend individual Schools or Training Facilities for Certification and Accreditation.  Each Certified and Accredited School will be listed on the Association database for global search.  Certification and Accreditation for each school is valid for two years and must be renewed at the end of the two year period.  At the district level, all affiliated schools agree to:

      1. Submit a written curriculum for evaluation and provide video documentation of the school curriculum if necessary.

      2. Provide an annual Institutional Effectiveness Report in curriculum delivery.   In other words, provide proof that institution is able to pass knowledge of martial arts to a expanding population of individuals.

      3. Provide an written copy of the professional development plan implemented by Instructional faculty at a given institution.

   7. Claims of Affiliation:  All written claims of Affiliation with the Association, including but not limited to world wide web presence, news paper advertisements, written brochures etc. that mention credentialing by the Association or that mention Associations' name must be accompanied with the Association website address for verification of afore mentioned claims.
       

2. Authentication:  All Certifications adhere to the following criteria.

   1. Referencing:  All Certifications issued by the organization carry distinct Serial Number or a Data Base Identifier that may be authenticated by the Organization Headquarters.  Each Member may be searched by first and last name on the association database regarding their membership status, ranking and certifications..

   2. Official Endorsement:  All Certifications issued by the organization carry the Organization Presidents Signature and Seal.  No other endorsement method is valid. 

   3. Organizational Recognition:  All Certifications issued by the organization carry the imprinted Seal of The Organization. 

   4.  Accreditation of Curriculum:  All Systems approved for certification by the association will be subject to curriculum review, and the schools teaching the particular system may seek accreditation through institutional accreditation process.  Style names certified will be unifying in nature and will refer to generalized content with names such as Karate Do, Ju Do etc.  Sub system names and brands that are created by schools or individuals within the recent history will not be allowed.  Established sub systems that do not directly benefit single individual or organizational body, and that are no longer used for marketing/service branding purposes may be allowed.

   5. Global Search:  All Certifications issued by the organization carry the www.TaoInternational.com, or www.TaoInternational.org web Address for global Serial Search and Certification Authentication purposes. Credentials and current standing of any member may be searched through Certificate Authentication feature of the Association website.

   6. Branding:  All Certifications carry the Organizational Trademarks, Service Marks, Logos and Copyrights.

   7. Philosophical Content:  All certifications will carry relevant philosophical message of Tao that is within the mission statement of the Association.

    

3. Renewals of Certifications and Memberships:  All Certifications expire after the expiration date as stated on the face of the Certificate.  Expired Certifications must be renewed through the Global Website or by contacting the association headquarters to be considered valid.  All memberships must be current or the member record will not be available for Association database search.  Expired memberships must be reactivated with in ninety calendar days. 
    

4. Dismissal, Revocation and/or Suspension:  All Certifications, Memberships and Ranks issued by the Association are subject to suspension and/or revocation, in case of misrepresentation, misuse or in case of behavior/conduct that is against the welfare and growth of the Association. 

   1. Behavioral Issues:  Violence and inappropriate social conduct will not be tolerated.  Following will result in dismissal from the Association:

      1. Fighting inside or outside of the training area.

      2. Showing up to training intoxicated.

      3. Abusive language, intentional acts to harm and/or threaten.

      4. Disrespectful Conduct towards members, including instructors.

   2. Defaulted Financial Obligations:  All financial obligations to the Association must be taken care of and tuition must be current with the sponsoring training center, school or institution.  Upon review, individuals who continually default on their obligations with out legitimate reason, take advantage of their fellow classmates and cause financial hardship to their school and  Association may be dismissed with revocation of rank and association privileges.

   3. Unapproved and Inappropriate Promotional Campaigns:  Any member who knowingly promotes classes of non Association affiliated institution and/or  instructor in the dressing rooms, training areas etc. or offers to sell or give away favors, belts, memberships, recognitions from another organizational body, or tries to sign up members in non association sponsored classes, will be immediately escorted out of classes or activities and will be dismissed with all their ranking and certifications revoked by the Association.   Individuals showing up to the training sessions/activities  in another schools or organizations uniforms, patches, t-shirts or other promotional materials will be asked to leave immediately. 
      
      

5. Minimum Time in Grade Requirements:  The Association maintains a minimum time in grade requirements for Color Belt and Dan Levels.  Time in grade requirements must be met before the examination and issuance of certificates.  Time in grade requirements for Dan Levels vary with each level.
    

6. Instructor Certifications:  Individuals holding Instructor Certifications from Tao International Martial Arts Association may not teach or issue ranking or certifications independent of the Association.  Instructor Certifications are valid only within a Certified Charter School of Tao International Martial Arts Association.  All issued Instructor Certifications will be listed in the Association Database for global verification.  All instructor titles will be displayed on an individuals record on the Association Database and will be searchable worldwide.  The Association chartered schools will use the following instructor titles:

   1. Apprentice Instructor.

   2. Assistant Instructor.

   3. Full Instructor.

   4. Master Instructor.
       

7. Accredited Institutions and Schools:  Only accredited schools and facilities listed in the association database may claim affiliation with the Tao International Martial Arts Association and offer certification and ranking through their training programs.  Accredited schools, their certification status and programs they offer may be searched globally through the Association website.
    

8. Adherence to Foundational and Style Specific Curricula:  Association follows a strict curriculum guideline for its' rank promotions.  The Foundational as well as Style Specific Curricula must be followed by all participants.
    

9. Uniforms, Belts and Patches:  All Association members wear only the Association approved training uniforms, belts and patches.  The Association main patch with www.TaoInternational.com web address and the Red Tao character is to be worn on the left chest of the uniform by all members and affiliates. 
    

10. Global Student Access:  All Association Accredited schools, institutions and certified instructors agree to use this website as a central hub for record access and credentialing of their members and students.  If an individual is not listed in the Association database, this indicates the individual is not a member or affiliate of the Association.
     

11. Verifiable Belt and Ranking System:  All schools, instructors and institutions claiming affiliation with the Association will use the Association Belt and Ranking System.  All individuals holding rank with the Association will be registered in the Association Database. 
     

12. Global Unified Testing Procedures:  All schools, instructors and institutions claiming affiliation with the Association will use the Association Testing Procedures. 
     

13. Global Unified Award Ceremony Procedures:  All schools, instructors and institutions claiming affiliation with the Association will use the Association Award Ceremony Procedures.
     

14. Black Belt Club:  Worldwide, all schools and institutions offering Black Belt Club programs will register their students in the Tao International Black Belt Club.  All listed Black Belt Club members will have a record on the Association Database for global verification purposes.
     

15. Masters Club:  Worldwide, all schools and institutions offering Masters Club programs will register their students in the Tao International Masters Club.  All listed Masters Club members will have a record on the Association Database for global verification purposes.