Many martial arts and self-protection instructors teach named or branded programmes. These are often syllabus or curriculum-based systems developed by a particular school, business or federation, built around a specific set of protocols, principles or techniques. They are especially common in self-defence, self-protection and close quarters combat, but you will find them across almost every discipline, from karate to Krav Maga.
We are regularly asked whether a named programme can be added to an instructor’s insurance certificate, membership or national record. This article explains why we don’t do that, and, just as importantly, why that doesn’t stop you teaching it.
The Short Answer
BMABA does not endorse any proprietary, trademarked, IP-based or named syllabus on our national records, insurance certificates or membership records.
That does not mean you can’t teach it. It does not mean you aren’t insured to deliver it. As long as what you teach sits within the broader discipline you are licenced for, you are covered.
Why We Don’t List Named Programmes
Most named programmes are the intellectual property of the school, business or organisation that created them. Terms like “karate” or “self-defence” are descriptive: they describe a type of activity that anyone can practise and teach. A branded programme name is different. It belongs to someone.
We can’t attach our name, licence or register to somebody else’s trademark or intellectual property. If we did, and the owner later asked us to stop using their term, we would have certificates, national records and other documents already issued that we simply cannot recall. That would leave you, and us, in a difficult position.
Point-In-Time Recognition
There is a second reason. When we recognise you in a discipline, we are confirming that you have reached a sufficient standard of training in that discipline. This is a point-in-time judgement, and it does not expire.
Think of it like a driving test. Passing your test is something that never goes away: you don’t “unpass” it. A driving licence, on the other hand, is something you hold and can lose. Our recognition of your grade works like passing the test. If you hold an instructor certificate that has since lapsed, it doesn’t change the fact that you were assessed and found sufficiently trained in that style.
The right to run a particular named programme is usually more like the licence. It is often granted, renewed or withdrawn by the programme’s owner, and it can change over time. Listing a named programme on your record would mean we were also vouching for your current right to deliver it, which isn’t something we assess, or something that’s ours to confirm.
What This Means In Practice
When you teach a proprietary system, the question isn’t whether we will endorse that system on your licence. The question is whether what you are delivering sits inside the broader category of the disciplines you are licenced to teach.
For example, if you are licenced for self-defence and self-protection, and you teach a branded programme focused on knife defence, that programme is part of self-defence. It is inherently within the discipline you have been licenced to teach, so you are covered.
An Example From Traditional Martial Arts
Take karate. We don’t list kata, kumite or kihon on your insurance, because they are intrinsically part of teaching karate. You could run a dedicated kata course, a kata training camp, or even a completely new approach to kata under your own brand name. It is still karate. You are specialising in one area of it, so “karate” remains an accurate description of what you teach.
Named programmes work in exactly the same way. The discipline is what we recognise and insure. The programme is how you choose to deliver it.
Not Sure If Your Programme Fits?
If you’re unsure whether a programme you teach, or plan to teach, sits within your licenced disciplines, jump onto chat and speak with one of our team. If it falls outside them, we can talk you through adding a discipline to your membership.