A standardized black belt ranking system ensures that rank is universally recognized within Tum Pai and the greater Kajukenbo system. Typically, four years of training/instructing (minimum) are required between each rank.

Some Tum Pai schools use kung-fu style sashes instead of, or in addition to, hard-style belts. The “sash equivalent” of each rank is shown next to the hard-style belt.

Kajukenbo Tum Pai Association schools use the following black belt ranking system:

Chart comparing different belts and sashes in black red, white, gray, and yellow colors, titled 'Kajukenbo Tum Pai Association' with two columns labeled 'Kajukenbo Belts' and 'Tum Pai Sashes,' ranging from student black belt to eighth degree.