Criteria for the Shihan title within the USCKF include at least 40 years of age, rank of Yon Dan or higher, and 25 years of training and service to the organization. In addition, the title may be awarded to individuals below the rank of Yon Dan if the the other two requirements are met and the individual has exhibited extraordinary dedication and service to the organization. There is no fee or test involved, the title of Shihan is an honor to the organization as much as it is to the individual. An individual may not apply for the title.

William J. Dometrich, Hanshi March 15, 1935 - March 22, 2012 Ku Dan (Ninth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Chairman and Chief Instructor Emeritus USCKF Began study of Chito-ryu in 1952 Promoted to Sho Dan 1954 Promoted to Shichi Dan and title "Kyoshi" by O-Sensei 1971 Promoted to Hachi Dan and title "Hanshi" by Hanshi Tesshin Hamada of the Dai Nippon Butokukai (DNBK) 1999 Promoted to Ku Dan by DNBK in Kyoto, Japan 2008

Barbara E. Dometrich (Okusan), Kyoshi Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Co-Founder USCKF Chairman USCKF Began Study of Chito-ry in 1962 Also holds black belts in Kendo and Iaido

Lawrence C. Hawkins, Jr., Esq., Kyoshi Hachi Dan (Eighth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified  Chief Advisor/Chairman Emeritus USCKF Technical Team Coordinator Began Study of Chito-ryu in 1962  Chief Instructor Yoseikan II Dojo, Cincinnati, OH

Sherry Kembre, Kyoshi Shichi Dan (Seventh Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1971 USCKF Vice Chair and Assistant Administrator Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Arthur Rott, Shihan 1918-November 2001 Shichi Dan (Seventh Degree Black Belt) awarded posthumously Began study of Chito-ryu in 1966 Founder Yoseikan Apopka Dojo, Apopka, FL

Jerry Beshears, Kyoshi Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began study of Chito-ryu 1967 Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Joseph J. Schertler, Shihan 12/2/17 - November, 1987 Yon Dan (Forth Degree Black Belt) Received Shihan title posthumously 10/18/98

Stephen Wilhelm, Renshi Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu in 1967 Also holds rank in Aikido Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Terry Collis, Shihan Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) Member DNBK Began Study of Chito-ryu 1962 Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Michael Colling, Renshi Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1971, Joined USCKF 1996 Chief Instructor Marion Bridge Yoseikan Dojo, Nova Scotia, Canada

Barbara Tarczynski, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified USCKF Judicial Committee Began Study of Chito-ryu 1971 Chief Instructor Maryland Yoseikan Dojo

Gerald Meade, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1972 Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Don Schmidt, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1972 USCKF Judicial Committee Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

John Wellbrock, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1973 Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Eric Ford, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1981 Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Laura Stith Deck, PhD, Shihan Yon Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1983 Instructor Yoseikan II Dojo, Cincinnati, OH

William Jansak, RN, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1982 Holds Rank of San Dan Ryukyu Hozon Shinkokai Kobudo

Matthew Scott, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1982 Instructor Yoseikan II Dojo, Cincinnati, OH

Dr. Jesse Brown, Jr., Min.D, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1971 Chief Instructor Rochester Chito-ryu Dojo, Rochester, NY

James Acampora, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) Begin Study of Martial Arts 1981 - Shihan Art Rott Chief Instructor Yoseikan of Orlando II Dojo, Orlando, FL

Jamie Binkley, Shihan Yon Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Begin Study of Martial Arts Chief Instructor Yoseikan of Orlando III Dojo, Orlando, FL

J. Wesley Ernest, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1975 NKU Instructor at Five Seasons Health Club Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Kevin Drummond, Shihan Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1977 Chief Instructor Bridgeport Yoseikan Dojo, Bridgeport, WV

Joseph Petty, Shihan Yon Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1984 Chief Instructor 9th District Yoseikan Karate Club Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Lawrence Hawkins III, Esq., Shihan Yon Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1980 Instructor Yoseikan II Dojo, Cincinnati, OH

Tony DiTerlizzi, Shihan Yon Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified Began Study of Chito-ryu 1985 Resides in CT