Testing is a very important part of one's training. At different levels in Kempo Karate, there is required material that each student must learn and then demonstrate ability to execute. As the student starts, a white belt is given to signify purity and innocence. As the student continues pursuit of knowledge in the art, empty hand skill ability is perfected through various techniques and kata's. The belt begins to take on a transformation of different colors. As the student continues pursuit of excellence, the rank of the student increases in color. At the height of training, the student has acquired much knowledge of the arts and self, therefore earning the highest level of recognition, the much sought after Black Belt. The ranks are as follow: White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue then Blue with a stripe, Green then Green with a stripe then Brown and ultimately Black Belt. Students are promoted only after passing a test which examines their ability at each level. Each individual learns at different levels, therefore, each student is tested only when the student is ready.