There is no set number of years. At Chung TKD in New Hyde Park, a child earns each belt by performing correctly, from the first belt to black belt. Below brown belt, a child tests when their instructors say they are ready, so each child moves at their own pace.
Chung TKD teaches Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art, to children ages 2 to 13, in three programs by age: Pee-Wee, Children and Youth. Grandmaster Howard Chung, 9th Dan, has taught Tae Kwon Do since 1970 and opened the school in 1984. This guide is by Master Chris J. Chung, 5th-degree black belt.
Why is there no set number of years?
Because below brown belt, each child tests when they are ready, with no fixed test dates. Two children who start on the same day may test at different times. The steps below show how a child gets ready.
What are the steps from a first class to black belt?
Here is the path at Chung TKD, from the first class to the black belt test.
- Two free trial classes. Every new family starts with two, and parents can watch.
- Stripes in class. A child earns a stripe for a class in which they reviewed their curriculum.
- A readiness check. After a set number of classes and stripes, an instructor checks whether the child is ready to test.
- Color belt tests. Below brown belt, a child tests when their instructors say they are ready.
- Set test dates from brown belt. From brown belt on, tests are on set dates.
- The black belt test. Black belt tests are big events, and the school's past black belts come back for them.
What happens at a belt test?
Grandmaster Chung runs every belt test, the school's instructors demonstrate, and families have a seat and watch. Each test is harder than the one before. Our guide to whether parents can watch a class covers regular classes.
What if my child is not ready to test yet?
They get extra attention. When the readiness check shows a child needs more work, the instructors give them extra help to push them toward the test. Our guide to how stripes work explains the check.
Which forms does my child learn on the way to black belt?
At Chung TKD, students learn the ITF forms, called hyung, through the color belts, and Kwang-Gae and Koryo are the black belt forms. Our guide to the belt colors in order lists the form for each belt, and our guide to what each belt color means explains the colors.
What is the Black Belt Club?
It is a multi-year membership for current students who are training toward black belt, with a class of its own, separate from the regular classes. Our classes page has more on it.
Does training stop at black belt?
No. After black belt, the path keeps going. Grandmaster Chung is a 9th Dan, a ninth-degree black belt. For some black belts, the Masters Club follows, with leadership training by invitation.
Where is Chung TKD?
Chung TKD is at 1527 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
How do we get started?
Start with the two free trial classes. A parent or guardian stays for both, and kids wear something comfortable, sweats or shorts. Book a free class online, and our guide to a first Tae Kwon Do class covers the first visit.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to get a black belt at Chung TKD?
There is no set number of years. A child earns each belt by performing correctly, and below brown belt a child tests when their instructors say they are ready.
Are there set dates for belt tests?
Not until brown belt. Below brown belt, a child tests when their instructors say they are ready. From brown belt on, tests are on set dates.
Who runs belt tests at Chung TKD?
Grandmaster Howard Chung runs every belt test, and the school's instructors demonstrate.
Can families watch a belt test?
Yes. Families have a seat and watch.
What are the black belt forms at Chung TKD?
Kwang-Gae and Koryo.