Standardized Certification
- Official rank documentation and certificates
- Clear evaluation guidance and standards
- Instructor support and testing structure
A values-aligned home for serious Tang Soo Do instructors.
Built on standards, respect, and lifelong development, the United Tang Soo Do Association exists to protect what matters most in martial arts: character, integrity, high standards, and a supportive community. We welcome experienced instructors who want a clear path forward without politics, without shortcuts, and without pressure to compromise their values. Membership is selective, by application only, and not all applicants are accepted. If our purpose matches yours, we invite you to apply.
Why Instructors Choose UTSDA
Many instructors come to a point where they want less noise and more purpose. UTSDA is built for instructors who want:
- A culture that values respect over politics
- Standards that protect rank integrity
- A community that supports instructors, schools, and families
- Leadership that is accessible, accountable, and mission-driven
- A clear process for membership, recognition, and advancement
What Membership Is
Membership in the United Tang Soo Do Association is:
- A commitment to teach Tang Soo Do with integrity
- A shared standard for rank, curriculum, and instructor conduct
- A professional home for instructors who lead with character
- A community built on support, development, and accountability
- A long-term relationship that strengthens your school and your leadership
Membership is not:
- A purchase of rank or approval
- A shortcut around time, effort, or standards
- A political environment or popularity contest
- A place where promotions are pressured, negotiated, or traded
- A platform for undermining other schools or instructors
Lineage and Leadership
UTSDA is led by Grandmaster Kevin Case (8th Dan), with a leadership board that includes senior Tang Soo Do Masters who support standards, evaluations, and instructor development. We take lineage seriously, but we focus equally on what lineage is meant to produce: capable martial artists, ethical instructors, and strong communities.
Rank Recognition and Standards
Rank certification is an important and respected credential in the martial arts community. At the United Tang Soo Do Association, our certification process is designed to uphold professional standards, recognize qualified practitioners, and support high-quality instruction.
Certification with UTSDA is a meaningful process that may require individuals to demonstrate proficiency in key areas of Tang Soo Do, including techniques, forms, sparring, self-defense, and weapons. This helps ensure that certified practitioners have the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary to represent the art responsibly and teach it effectively.
We acknowledge rank from established organizations that we recognize. In some cases, we may require an evaluation and apply UTSDA time-in-rank standards to ensure fairness and consistency across the Association. This protects instructors, students, and the meaning of rank.
UTSDA certification recognizes practitioners who demonstrate skill, dedication, leadership, and a commitment to continued growth in Tang Soo Do.
What You Receive as a Member
Membership typically includes:
- Access to camps, clinics, and seminars
- Training support and instructor development
- Shared standards for curriculum and rank
- Instructor and school certification process
- Community connection and leadership access
- Resources and communication that support your growth
