There are different Shorin-Ryu organizations throughout the world, such as: Reihokan, Shidokan, Shorinkan, Seibukan, Kyudokan, Oshukai, Chubu, Shobayashi, Ryukyu, Kyobukan, Matsumura Kenpo, Matsumura Seito Hakutsuru, Matsumura, Joshinmon, Shima-ha, Matsubayashi, Kobayashi, Sukunaihayashi, among others. Every organization has slight variations in their ranking system and in the way katas are taught. However, 10 kyu ranks and 10 dan ranks remain. The belt used for competitions has to be either blue or red. These colors are always used to identify the competitors.

In Joshin-Ryu Kobudo, practitioners only use two belt colors: white, while acquiring knowledge to get to Dan rank; and black for the Dan ranks. The uniform color is blue.