[header] How to earn a black belt [title] Sign up for a class. [step] Some people think it is okay to study martial arts from a book, but it is not the same. An authentic school is preferable, but the important thing is to be in a class with good teachers. 
[substeps] There are a litany of techniques you will learn to earn a black belt in karate. You will earn your way up the belt ladder, earning different color belts as you make your way to the black belt.