Know your academy before you step on the mats

In the United States there's no license required to open a martial arts school or to teach, and no law that requires instructors to pass a background check. Belt ranks and lineages can be claimed without proof. For most families, there's simply no easy way to tell a vetted academy from one that isn't.

That gap is exactly what we're closing — a visible, verifiable trust signal so you can choose with confidence instead of hoping for the best.

When you see the green Owner Verifiedbadge on a listing, it means the academy's owner completed a criminal background check within the last 12 months through Academy Check. It renews every year, so the badge always reflects a recent check.

The badge verifies the owner. Many verified academies also screen their full coaching staff — it never hurts to ask a school how far their checks go.

• Look for the Owner Verified badge on the academy's listing.
• Ask whether coaches — not just the owner — have passed background checks.
• Ask about first aid / CPR training and whether insurance is in place.
• Visit and watch a class: are kids supervised, is the space clean, do coaches set clear boundaries?
• Trust your gut — a good academy will welcome every one of these questions.

Whether you're starting out or switching gyms, you deserve a school that stands behind its people. A verified academy signals real ownership and accountability — so you can focus on showing up and getting better.

• Verified ownership you can actually check.
• Clear about lineage, credentials, and how they teach.
• A safe, respectful training environment for every level.