Terms & privacy

Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu Coach Certification Program

What a certificate means

• A Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu coaching certificate confirms that the holder met this program's requirements on the date issued. It lists the classes they may lead or assist.
• It is valid only at Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu, and only while the holder's safety training, background checks and agreements remain current.
• It is not a professional license, an IBJJF credential, or permission to teach at any other academy.
• A belt rank certificate is a separate document. Belt promotions are decided by GWJJ black belt faculty.
• Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu may suspend or revoke a certificate at any time. The public verification page shows each certificate's status as recorded in this portal.
• Earning a certificate does not create employment or guarantee teaching hours or pay. Any compensation is set in a separate written agreement.
• A certificate shows that program requirements were met. It is not a guarantee of any coach's conduct or of any outcome.

Titles

Coaches use only the title printed on their certificate. "Professor" is the certification level for black belts with at least their first stripe (1st degree).

Your information

• What we collect: your name, contact details and belt rank, plus the certificates, forms and teaching hours you submit.
• Who sees it: you and the Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu program director. Supervisors see only the teaching hours you send them to sign off, never your documents.
• Background checks: CORI and SORI checks are run outside this portal. The portal records only that a check was cleared and when, never the results.
• Photo ID is checked in person and never uploaded.
• Public verification: so parents and partners can check a coach, anyone can look up a currently certified coach by name or certificate ID. They see the coach's name, level, classes, belt rank, dates and status, plus a summary of the requirements completed (for example, "Massachusetts CORI check: cleared, Nov 2026"). Documents, results, contact details and references are never shown.
• Copy requests: when a parent or partner asks for a copy of a coach's record, the program director decides what to send. It is the same summary shown on the verification page, never documents or results.
• How long we keep it: while you are in the program, and up to 3 years after your last certificate expires, unless you ask us to delete it sooner. Deleting your account removes your uploaded files. Issued certificates stay listed as revoked so verification stays accurate.
• Your information is never sold or used for marketing.

Safety concerns

To report a safety or abuse concern, contact the program director. You may also report directly to the U.S. Center for SafeSport (uscenterforsafesport.org), the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, or the police. In an emergency, call 911.

Contact

For questions or to request deletion of your information, contact the program director.