International Grading Certification

There are 10 levels for the Chen’s Taichi Grading System under the Chen Zhenglei Taijiquan Federation. The system is especially designed according to the Chen’s family style Taichi. The system includes the basics postures and moves, silk reeling (spiral rotation) exercises, different traditional hand and weapon routine as well as the different kinds of techniques of push-hands and applications. Those who apply to be certified should have appropriate Taichi skills.

Format of Examination

The examination can be administered in one of the two ways: Federation Head Office Hosted or Local Institution Hosted. The examiners must at least 2 level above the applicants. Exams can be carried on-site or via remote video conference by two or more Federation Verified Instructors.

A student or instructor may apply for any of the levels, the fees increase as the level gets higher. The instructor fees are higher than a student.  The fees will be shown on product pages for Student or Instructor.

Requirements for all level of Practitioner Grading

Level 1 (Chen’s Taichi for Health and Wellness)
Main Contents:
• Yangsheng Gong: Joint warm up, Spiral Rotation (single and double hands) and postures & footwork
• Chen’s Taichi Essential 18 forms or any other equivalent short version of Chen Style Tai Chi Form
• Hunyuan Post and Qi Collecting Drills(Tai Chi Stance and energy collection exercises)

Level 2
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi Old Frame 1 (Laojia Yilu) – complete form
• Chen’s Taichi Single Straight Sword 18 Movements Routine (part of complete form)
• Push Hands: Single Hand (Horizontal, Vertical Circle, Figure 8); Double Hand (Synchronous Inside or Outside; Synchronous To Left or To Right; Synchronous Inside or Outside One by One)

Level 3
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi Single Sabre
• Push Hands: Still Stance and Application

Level 4
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi Old Frame 2 (Laojia Cannon Fist or Erlu)
• Chen’s Taichi Single Straight Sword
• Push Hands: Forward & Backward Steps and Application

Level 5
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi New Frame 1, Xinjia Yilu (83 Form)
• Chen’s Taichi Double Baton (Similar to straight sword but thicker and none sharp blade)
• Push Hands: Forward & Backward Steps in Low Pose (Knee and leg techniques)

Level 6
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi New Frame 2, Xinjia Cannon Fist or Erlu
• Chen’s Taichi Double Sabre
• Push Hands: Free Steps, Practical Push Hand Techniques and Application

Level 7
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi Double Straight Sword
• Push Hands: Still Stance, free Push Hand Techniques and Application

Level 8
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi Halberd (Chun Qiu Da Dao, Guan Dao)
• Push Hands: Free Steps, free Push Hand Techniques and Application, Practical Fight Techniques

Level 9
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• Chen’s Taichi Spear
• Chen’s Taichi Long Pole and 2 People Set (3 moves and 8 moves)
• Push Hands: San Da (Free Fighting) and Application

Level 10
Main Contents:
• All contents of previous level
• All Routines
• Gong Fa – The 8 Taichi Methods and Explosive Power Releasing Skills

Certificate Validity

The certificate is valid for 2 years and it must be renewed. Electronic renewal fee is £10 cost. If hard copy and mailing is required, fee is extra.

Customized Certificate

Because some people may only practice specified content of Chen Style Tai Chi, we will assess their skill level and issue a suitable customized Grading certificate with specified content. Please contact the Federation for further details before you apply for your customized certificate.

Fee and Examination

*Exam and Certification Fee: £60 – £330 for registered online at level 1 – 10.
*Advance to higher level: After one year, one can apply to take Federation exams to advance. Examination and certificate fee: £60.
*If hard copy and mailing is required, fee is extra.

Terms and conditions for the payment of certification fees

All candidates are required to pay the relevant fee in advance. Candidates will be charged for the Grading level awarded by the evaluation procedure as follows:

• A candidate awarded a lower level than that applied for will receive a refund of the fee difference
• In the event of a higher level than that applied for being awarded, the candidate will be required to pay the fee difference
• For candidates who are not awarded a grade, or who withdraw their application prior to evaluation, the fee paid is non-refundable