Switching associations doesn’t mean starting over. We know how much time, effort, and passion goes into achieving your instructor qualifications — and we respect that. At BMABA, we recognise existing grades, certifications, and experience through a transparent, fair assessment process. Whether you’re a seasoned instructor or transitioning from another governing body, our goal is to uphold the credibility of your qualifications while supporting continued development.

Our framework allows for prior learning (RPL), mapped recognition, and, where needed, straightforward verification — without belittling or undermining your journey. We understand that your position as a lead instructor is earned, not just awarded, and we’re here to support your status through formal records, professional recognition, and access to nationally respected CPD and certification pathways.

At BMABA, our reputation is second to none — and we work hard to keep it that way. That’s why we proactively vet the credentials of every lead instructor joining under our name. It’s not about gatekeeping; it’s about upholding the integrity of our community and ensuring only genuine, qualified martial arts instructors gain BMABA affiliation. This safeguarding of standards not only protects our organisation — it protects your club, your students, and your reputation under our care.

Our in-house compliance team maintains a detailed vetting database containing thousands of known organisations, instructors, and governing bodies. In most cases, we can verify your credentials quickly upon sight of your certification. For those joining from ungraded or non-traditional styles, our Black Belt Equivalency Process offers a respectful, structured route to formal recognition — without forcing anyone to conform to a singular syllabus or style.

Transferring student licences, grades, and records can feel like one of the most complex parts of switching associations — but with BMABA, it doesn’t need to be.

We offer total flexibility when it comes to student licensing, insurance, and record management. You’re free to bring across your students with all previously awarded grades intact. We don’t question your grading history or ask clubs to jump through hoops — it’s a straightforward, respectful transfer.

We also stay out of your grading process entirely. Provided your club follows our National Grading Integrity & Ethics Policy — which promotes fair, merit-based progression — we don’t interfere. You won’t pay us for grading events, updates, or approvals. Grade promotions are a club-level affair, and you retain complete autonomy. That means no fees per grade, no need to notify us, and no bureaucracy — just professional, compliant support that respects your teaching.

We know that for many clubs, cost is a deciding factor — but so is clarity. That’s why BMABA operates with complete transparency and fairness when it comes to fees.

There are no hidden charges, mandatory upsells, or unexpected renewals. Our membership options are clearly priced and publicly available, and we don’t charge for additional essentials like grade updates, club gradings, safeguarding audits, or issuing certificates — which are often monetised elsewhere.

What you see is what you get, and that includes access to our full suite of services: instructor credentials, insurance, safeguarding, digital tools, training resources, club management software, and much more. Even better, we offer a completely free Affiliate Membership to let you test the waters, with no obligation and no payment details required.

We’re also proud to be one of the only martial arts governing bodies that publishes its financial data annually, and as a registered social enterprise (CIC), any profits must be reinvested into our mission — not shareholders. You can be sure your fees are funding sector-wide impact, not lining pockets.

At BMABA, we believe that modern martial arts governance needs modern tools. That’s why we’ve invested in building a comprehensive digital ecosystem to support your club’s operations — without the need for third-party software or endless subscriptions.

From the moment you join, you’ll gain access to MyBMABA, our industry-leading member portal packed with features like digital student records, attendance tracking, licence and insurance management, renewal tools, club documents, and more. For those looking to go further, our MyBMABA Club Manager platform offers advanced capabilities like grading logs, event bookings, invoice generation, communication tools, and full student dashboards — all integrated and included with your membership tier.

Best of all, we don’t upsell core functionality. Whether you’re a traditional club or a progressive, tech-savvy organisation, you’ll have access to secure, powerful, and easy-to-use tools built specifically for the martial arts sector. And because we build in-house, we listen to feedback and continually improve the system to meet your evolving needs — not those of a faceless software vendor.

Our tech doesn’t replace good teaching — it amplifies it. Whether you’re a pen-and-paper club or ready to go fully digital, we provide the systems, security, and support to help your club thrive in the modern era.

We pride ourselves on being one of the most responsive, supportive governing bodies in the industry. Whether you’re a club with hundreds of students or an instructor just starting out, you deserve to feel heard — and supported — without delay, red tape, or scripted responses.

BMABA offers multi-channel, human-first support that includes email, live chat, helpdesk, and platform-based guidance — often with responses within minutes. Our internal systems allow us to keep your enquiries linked to your club’s history, so we can provide relevant, informed help without asking you to repeat yourself.

More than just ticket replies, we offer true operational support — helping clubs with complex safeguarding queries, DBS and vetting challenges, insurance nuances, policy writing, funding applications, and more. Behind the scenes, our systems and dedicated staff mean nothing is lost or ignored, even during peak periods.

We don’t believe support should be a premium add-on — it’s core to what makes us different. That’s why every BMABA club gets access to real help from real people, with the kind of care, professionalism and dedication we’d expect ourselves.

At BMABA, we believe that a governing body should be more than just a service provider — it should be a community and a source of recognition for the incredible work instructors and clubs do on the ground.

We’re proud to foster one of the most inclusive, politics-free communities in UK martial arts. Whether you’re teaching in a village hall or running a multi-discipline academy, you’ll find peers, mentors, and allies across our digital platforms, community spaces, and member forums.

We also go the extra mile to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our members. From national awards and public-facing club recognition to media exposure and charity campaigns, our network creates visibility for your work — not just within the martial arts world, but across wider community and social impact spaces too.

BMABA isn’t just somewhere to register — it’s a place to belong, to be seen, and to be supported.