What education do you need to be a karate instructor?

Answer 1

In all actuality, you don't need any "formal education" like going to school.

A legitimate instructor will have attended a formal recognized Martial Arts studio, with an instructor who can prove his background in the martial arts and document his rank and training.

Studying under someone who "claims" to be a Master without legitimate documentation is dangerous as that person may not really know how to teach Karate, and his instruction could injure someone seriously.

Ask around the local schools for what they teach, what they charge, can others watch the classroom in action, and also check with the Better Business Bureau. Don't trust the internet either, people can make any kind of claims , "buyer beware!"