What NMAO is
NMAO is a proudly independent, third-party accreditation agency. We exist to support schools that are committed to student safety, instructional excellence, and ethical professionalism. Our mission is simple but powerful: to raise the standard of martial arts education by recognizing schools that operate with transparency, accountability, and care. Our focus is to provide accreditation for martial arts schools who have successfully met the standards of the NMAO — validating these schools for quality and safety is our priority.
Holding an accreditation certificate from NMAO exemplifies your martial arts school’s hard work and dedication to your art. It is verification that a school is an expert in their field and has successfully met the standards of the NMAO.
Our accreditation will set you apart from other schools and martial arts practitioners, and it will provide you with the credentials necessary to show your accomplishments.
As a dedicated agency, we have the advantage of providing our clients with the utmost service in the field. We take pride in developing our standards by utilizing the most appropriate and important criteria to accurately accredit martial arts schools. We have done extensive research on martial arts school operations, martial arts, and weaponry to ensure that our accreditation is held with the highest acknowledgment and respect.
Three ways we help
NMAO brings together everything a serious school needs under one roof.
Earn trust
Verify your school against nine standards and earn a badge families can check quickly.
Explore the accreditation →Operate your school
Scheduling, tuition, retail, messaging and testing — in one system, with apps for members and staff.
Explore the software →Compete nationally
A nine-round season your students compete in all year, with grand-finale prizes worth over $10,000.
Explore the league →
My name is Bradley Lemley, and martial arts has been my passion for over 30 years — starting at the young age of 7 and teaching for more than two decades. From my earliest days training under Master Jason Kurdziel, Master Thomas Ingargiola, and renowned kickboxing coach Chris Cardona, martial arts have shaped my path and guided my purpose.
At age 19, I began owning and operating martial arts schools, a journey marked by dedication and resilience through challenges such as the financial crisis of 2008, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As a 6th-degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate and a holder of multiple full-contact kickboxing titles — including two New York State amateur titles and one professional title — I have experienced firsthand the empowering growth martial arts provide. Yet my proudest accomplishments are the countless moments I’ve shared with students, witnessing their confidence and strength flourish.
My pursuit of knowledge extends beyond traditional martial arts. I’ve trained under the esteemed Shaolin monk Shi Yan Ming and traveled to India, studying Ashtanga Yoga under the disciplined gaze of Ajay Kumar, a direct student in the lineage of Ashtanga yoga legends Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar. Additionally, since 2017, I’ve explored the Yoga Sutras under Sanskrit scholar and philosopher Sudhir Heggadde, enriching my ability to guide students toward calmness and clarity in turbulent times.
You might have also seen my martial arts skills showcased in the Tubi movie “Lord of the Streets,” where I had the unique experience of a short, choreographed combat scene against UFC fighter Khalil “Roundtree” Ghilbrand and the unique opportunity of being “offed” by one of my childhood fight heroes, legendary fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
Off the mats, I am a proud doggy dad to my beloved 13.5-year-old husky, Thor.
Throughout my journey as both a lifelong student and teacher, I’ve come to firmly believe that the safety and wellbeing of students should be a teacher’s top priority. Confidence in the training environment — confidence in your instructor, your school’s history and lineage, cleanliness standards, safety preparedness, and insurance for incidents that may happen in high-pressure training in even the safest of schools — is essential.
This is why, in collaboration with other professionals, we established the National Martial Arts Organization (NMAO) Accreditation Agency.