• State Championships
  • Competition Rules
  • WT Global License
  • Event Bid Manuals

WORLD TAEKWONDO GLOBAL LICENSE

World Taekwondo (WT) requires all participants (Athletes, Coaches, Referees, & Officials) to acquire a WT License to register for World Taekwondo Sanctioned events.

A WT Global License can be purchased at the time of renewal or registration of your World Taekwondo Membership.

USA Taekwondo Members must pay online for their WT Membership renewal or new license registration.

USA Taekwondo Members who would like to apply for a Global Coach License or Officials License must also have completed and cleared a USATKD background screening and the U.S. Center for SafeSport training. Your license will not be processed until these are completed.

Athletes 18 years and older must complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport training before the license can be approved.

Individual wishing to participate in the WT sanctioned events must have a WT Membership and the WT Global License. The WT Global License is needed in order to register for WT sanctioned events.

World Taekwondo Membership Types:

  • Athlete (Minor 11 & Under): $35
  • Athlete (Cadet, Junior, Senior): $35
  • Official (Coach, Referee, Official, or Doctor): $35
  • WT Global License (Volunteer, Media, Fan): $35

Renewing: If you are renewing your license, you will need to login and update your password and electronically agree to the WT waivers. You can find the waivers by going to Edit Profile and the Waivers Tab will be located on the bottom, left of the website.

To complete the process on the World Taekwondo Global Membership System, please go to https://worldtkd.simplycompete.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who needs a WT Global License (formally named a WT Event Pass)?

  • All Kyorugi & Poomsae Athletes of all ages that wish to compete in World Taekwondo sanctioned events
  • All Team Officials: Coaches, Managers, Trainers, and Medical
  • Athletes & Officials participating in World Taekwondo sanctioned Championships, World Taekwondo Ranking Point Tournaments, including the U.S. Open Championship, and Continental Union recognized tournaments.

Do referees need a Global License?

  • Yes, referees need a Global License.

When should I apply/renew?

  • It is best to apply/renew as soon as possible. Apply/renew a minimum of 2 months prior to the start of the competition you are planning to attend.

What documentation do I need to provide for my Global License?

Membership/Global License applications will need to submit documentation to WT AND USATKD for approval. After approval, you will be able to participate/register for World Taekwondo Stactioned events.

  • A color passport style ID picture
  • Valid copy of a current U.S. Passport. If a member is not in possession of a Passport, the members can upload a Birth Certificate, Driver's License or Green Card under National ID. A U.S. Passport is only required at WT promoted championships, such as World Championships, Pan American Championships, and Grand Prix.
  • Proof of black belt. The WT will accept either a USATKD or Club certificate or Kukkiwon certificate. (Please not that Kukkiwon Certificates are NOT required as proof of black belt certification.) Kukkiwon certification is only required at WT promoted championships, such as the World Championships, Pan American Championships, and Grand Prix. Kukkiwon or Black Belt Certificate is not required for Global Officials.
  • Member must have a current USATKD Membership. (Global Officials are required to complete the USATKD background screening and the U.S. Center for SafeSport training through USATKD.
  • A member must input the correct mailing address into the WT membership profile. If a mailing address is not entered at the time the card is ordered, the global license card will not be mailed to the member.

All coaches and referees must have a valid background screening and complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport training in order to obtain a valid global license.

Where can I apply for a GAL/GOL?

  • To complete your application, CLICK HERE and complete the online registration process. Please note, you must choose U.S.A. - USA Taekwondo, Inc. in the drop-Down menu and click the "Sign Up" button to register.

I am having trouble uploading a picture, what do I do?

Headshot Photo:

The photograph must be a passport-style headshot of the member, suitable for use on the WT GMS card. The photograph must be in color.

The photo should be neatly cropped, no exceeding borders.

The image must be at least 236x295 pixels in size. (check photo properties by right clicking on the photo). Please follow this step by step instruction to uploade a photo in the correct format:

  • Open the photo you want to use in the application "Paint" on your computer
  • In the application "Paint" press the "resize" button (located under the "crop button"
  • Click "Pixels"
  • Unclick "maintain aspect ratio"
  • Under pixels, enter horizontal: 236 and vertical: 295
  • The image must be vertical
  • The image file must be saved in an individual .JPG format and uploaded.

Kukkiwon Certificate/Card or Black Belt Certificate:

  • A Kukkiwon certificate or card can be uploaded under "Kukkiwon Certification"
  • A Black Belt certificate can be uploaded under "National Black Belt Certification"
  • A Color Belt certificate can be uploaded under "National Color Belt Certification"

Passport

  • Passport must be current at the time of the WT sanctioned event
  • The name of the passport must match the name on the Global License Account
  • Expiration date must be entered in the DD/MM/YYYY format

National ID

  • The WT will accept a copy of a Birth Certificate, Driver's License or Green Card if the member does not have a passport.
  • National ID Nuber and member nation is required. If the document does not have a specific ID number, please use any type of identification number listed on the document.
  • Start and expiration dates are not required for National ID's

Why is my status listed as unapproved?

  • At any time on your member dashboard on GMS you can see the latest status of your WT Global License and what (if any) requirements are yet to be met.
  • First, please verify that all required documentation has been approved.
  • If all documentation has been approved, you will see that status because your card has yet to be shipped.
  • If your card status reads "Approved to Print", then you do not need to provide any further documentation and you will receive your card in 6-12 weeks.
  • If you are attending a WT sanctioned event before you receive your card, please follow the instructions listed below.

When should I expect to receive my card?

If you choose to have a WT membership card it will take approximately 6-12 weeks (depending on the time of year) to receive your GAL/GOL card. If you are planning to attend a WT sanctioned event and will not receive your Global License card in time follow the instructions below to print out confirmation of GAL/GOL.

  • After final approval, an email will be sent to the address supplied on the application. Use the log-in information to sign into the WT Simply Compete system.
  • Once you are logged in, click "Membership Profile"
  • Next, click "Membership"
  • Print this Global License confirmation for your records.

The document that prints will provide proof of Global License to any international organizing committee.

Have questions or concerns?

Contact Eric Wininger at ewininger@usatkd.org