accreditation for
martial arts schools
Mission Statement
The National Martial Arts Organizations (NMAO) mission is to have schools develop and keep the standards set forth by the NMAO to ensure and achieve quality training, transparency, accountability, professionalism and care for all stakeholders.
About Us
NMAO is a proudly independent, third-party accreditation agency. We exist to support schools that are committed to student safety, instructional excellence, and ethical professionalism. Our mission is simple but powerful: to raise the standard of martial arts education by recognizing schools that operate with transparency, accountability, and care.
Our focus is to provide an accreditation for martial arts schools who have successfully met the standards of the NMAO. Validating these schools for quality and safety is our priority.
Importance of an NMAO Accreditation
Accreditation by the NMAO: is the process by which a Martial Arts School’s program is evaluated against defined standards by the NMAO. When compliance with these standards is met, it is awarded accreditation recognition.
- Enables Martial Arts School’s to demonstrate to the profession it represents, and to the public it serves, that their program has met the stringent standards set by the NMAO.
- Enhances a Martial Arts School’s credibility and legitimacy by providing impartial, third-party oversight of a conformity assessment system
The Value of An NMAO Accreditation
- Provides Martial Arts School’s with a way to answer the question why their school stands out above others. A question often posed by members of an students, parents, and sometimes, the courts.
- Accreditation demonstrates your Martial Arts School’s commitment to meet or exceed established standards.
Accreditation validates all aspects of a Martial Arts School’s program:
- Security
- Student Safety
- Emergency Preparedness
- Governance
- Financial Stability
- Continued Improvement
- Ethical Conduct
- Value to Students
- Commitment to Excellance
Accreditation Means Credibility
Having an NMAO accreditation enters your school into a very exclusive membership of highly proficient schools and masters.
NMAO was established independently so that martial arts schools can achieve an outstanding level of operation and safety.
NMAO validates the competency and expertise of martial arts schools by standards set forth by the NMAO.
NMAO is the recognized leader in martial arts school’s accreditation.
NMAO will continue to strive to be the vanguard for today’s martial arts school accreditation and student safety.
NMAO accreditation holders must be renewed every year to keep their accreditation valid.
Using Your NMAO Accreditation Credential
Once a candidate has successfully met all NMAO standards and completed the accreditation process, they are formally recognized as an accredited institution and receive the following materials to proudly represent their achievement:
What You Will Receive with Your Accreditation
- A professionally framed NMAO Accreditation Certificate for public display.
- Two (2) NMAO Member window decals for your entrance or store front.
- Upon receiving these documents, the accreditation status is awarded and the NMAO credential and seal may be used.
- The NMAO accreditation holder is then authorized to use the NMAO Accredited School Seal on all business documents, including business cards, stationery, and other professional documents/correspondence, advertisements, promotional media, websites,
- Earning the NMAO accreditation is a direct result of martial arts school dedication, commitment, and hard work.
- The NMAO credential signals to your community that your school stands apart— not just for excellence in martial arts instruction, but for leadership in ethics, safety, and student care.
- This recognition is the result of hard work, accountability, and dedication. It should be displayed with pride and used as a standard to continually uphold.
- Wear it with pride. Display it with confidence. Represent the future of martial arts with integrity.
- NMAO credentials may be used if the accreditation holder remains in good standing and keeps their accreditation current through the established renewal process.
