Level 0:
- Live Steel Practitioner -

1. Live steel sword book - own one
2. 0 to 1 month live steel training
3. 1 safety class with Kaiden
* A White Rope can train in this level to prepare for steel fighting. There is to be no steel on steel combat or parry.

Level 1:
- Live Steel Qualified Swordsman -

1. 1 to 3 months live steel training
2. Live steel parry, with Kaiden
3. 50 logged battles
4. 3 live steel training sessions with a Kaiden sessions with Kaiden
5. Be at least a 4th Level Swordsman
6. 500 logged full circle cuts
7. Own a Gorget
8. Demonstrate ; basic strikes, Basic Blocks, 3 Practiced moves, the 6 Tradition and the 3 types of moves.

Level 2:
GREEN BRAID - Live Steel Ranked Swordsman -

1. Steel sword book (accurate Log)
2. Steel Care receive one lesson and posses all equipment
3. Own live steel sword
4. 100 logged battles
5. Have at least 3 to 6 months of live steel Training
6. 1000 logged full circle cuts
7. Unarmored Refined Strikes
8. Demonstrate all Green Braid requirements

Level 3:
WHITE ROPE - Live Steel Trained Swordsman -

1. 10 steel melees (5 or more opponents)
2. Own a complete set of upgraded battle armor, to include; body, tari, upper arm, bracers, etc.
3. 3 lessons in choreography with a Live steel Skilled Swordsman or above.
4. 250 logged battles
5. 2,000 Logged full circle cuts
6. Centered cuts (control – helmet and gloves)
7. Demonstrate all White Rope requirements
**Level 3 and below tests can be conducted by a single Kaiden. Level 4 and above are conducted by a panel of 3 Kaiden and follow the same WCoS test standards.

Level 4:
RED ROPE - Live Steel Skilled Swordsman -

1. Armored refined strikes
2. Choreography, participate in 3 individual demonstrations.
3. Write a true story of the sword
4. 20 multiple opponent duels
5. 500 logged battles
6. Log a 12 hour / full day of live steel training.
7. 20 Steel melees
8. 3,000 Logged full circle cuts
9. Have at least one year of live steel training
10. Demonstrate all Red Rope requirements

Level 5:
THE CRIMSON CHAIN - Live Steel Proficient Swordsman -

1. Armored centered cuts
2. 30 steel melees (5 or more opponents)
3. Must be Silver Chain - Level 6 in wood
4. 750 logged battles
5. 5,000 Logged full circle cuts
6. Create a stance or adopt a valid stance from another circle
7. Demonstrate all Crimson Chain requirements to include White Rope in a second steel sword style and to be tested in any other proficiency not completed previously.

Level 6:
SILVER CHAIN - Live Steel Advanced Swordsman -

1. Metal gauntlets
2. 50 melees
3. 10 Minute Non Stop Battle in steel
4. 5 years sword training in the WCoS (at least 2 years with steel)
4. 1000 logged battles
5. 7,500 Logged full circle cuts
6. 25 logged matches using a stave against a steel sword
7. Demonstrate all Silver Chain requirements

Level 7:
COPPER CHAIN - Live Steel Expert Swordsman -

1. Run a day of steel fighting
2. 2nd weapon training to include all L5 Complete Blade Requirements
3. Own a Metal Helm
4. Complete a 15 minute steel Gauntlet course designed by the Counsel of Swordfighters.
Currently The Gauntlet is; make 500 Iron Sword Cuts, Complete a 10 Battle Trial, Cut or shatter 5 Coconuts (4 cuts & thrust), Thrust 3’ Blind Rings, within 15 minutes and then complete Level 7 test. 5. 2000 logged battles
6. 10,000 logged full circle cuts
7. 7 years sword training in the WCoS (at least 3 years with steel)
8. Complete all other levels of training with the WCoS
9. 100 Melees
10. Demonstrate all Copper Chain requirements