Relevance of the research topic. Millions of people around the world engage in martial arts, and interest in this type of activity continues to grow. As you know, the goal of building any educational and training process in many types of sports is to achieve the maximum possible result in competitive activities. The existing system of knowledge regarding traditional approaches to building the training process in martial arts proves that in many types of duels there are two possible ways to achieve the desired result. One is the acquisition of championship titles by winning competitions, the other is the acquisition of qualification belts for the performance of certain complex technical actions: kata or tuli (certain connections from stances, movements, striking and defensive actions, as well as the technique of performing motor actions inherent in the respective species duels). First of all, the study of the peculiarities of the functioning of the belt system in various types of martial arts will significantly expand the range of knowledge, the possibilities of using the most effective means and methods for the construction of a modern system of martial arts training. The purpose of the study is to investigate the features of the functioning of the belt system for assessing the level of qualification of athletes in various types of martial arts. Methods. In accordance with the topic of the study, an analysis and generalization of the scientific and methodological literature of Ukrainian and foreign specialists was carried out, normative program documents of the most popular types of martial arts in the world (judo, karate, jiu-jitsu, taekwon-do) were studied. Research results. The belt system for assessing the level of qualification of athletes is inherent in many types of martial arts and is an effective alternative to competitive activities in the direction of obtaining the desired result. A large number of apprentice and master qualification degrees, gentle load regimes, the absence of extreme conditions, and the focus on perfect mastery of technical skills make it possible to practice martial arts for many years. Conclusions. According to modern ideas about the construction of a training system in various types of martial arts, for further effective existence as a tool for the development of mass sports, the belt system for evaluating the level of qualification of athletes needs immediate changes, the introduction of new modern technologies taking into account scientific achievements in the field of sports science.