Gradings are used by the N.F.K.A to measure the improvement by a student, these take part every three months, the grading panels are made up of four club instructors lead by a Fourth Dan and above, the students club instructor never grades their own students to ensure quality and honesty of gradings. Students must be dressed appropriately in a NFKA karate suit with badge, have the appropriate AMA insurance and have their club instructors permission to grade.