Do staff members automatically get their black belt or do they have to earn it like the rest of us?

Many of the staff members have earned their points though some have not been tested. mahalo.com/answers/brown-belt-test/brown... Here is the Brown Belt test for Jeff Hoard mahalo.com/answers/brown-belt-test/test-... Here is the Brown Belt test for Jason Calacanis I do not think any of the other staff members have been tested.

They did! If you'd like an example, check out @Mikebracco .. he's currently a greenbelt with 1074 points, and also staff! I can't remember if they also go through the brown-black belt test.

I haven't seen one lately, not that I can recall. I remember someone awhile back - maybe @jeffhoard or @lon, asking whether they should go through the test or just assign the belt to themselves, but I can't remember if they took the test or not. You will see few staff at lower levels for long since they are always responding to us, asking questions, rating direct answers, and more.

But in short, yes, just like @mikebracco, all staff start out at lower levels.

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