There are several ranks in the heirarchy of Santeria. It takes many years to ascend all twelve ranks and become a Babalawo. Not everyone can become a Babalawo, only males and those who go through the years of devotions.

Everyone starts out in the lowest rank, which is actually known as the twelfth rank. The twelfth rank consist of everyone who has no belief in the orishas or the religion of Santeria. Once a person developes a belief in Santeria, that person ascends to the eleventh rank. To ascend to the tenth rank, you must receive an Osain amulet. The person has to buy the osain amulet, but they must be generally committed to the religion to do so. The Santero fills the Osain amulet with ashe and then gives it to the person.

In order to reach the ninth rank, you have to be initiated through the Necklaces initiation. It is the first initiation for a person to become a Santero. Five necklaces of five different colors, representing the orishas: Eleggua, Obatala, Chango, Yemaya, and Oshun, are given to the initiate. The necklaces protect the initate. While making the necklaces, they must be washed in lustral water during an asiento. Blood of sacrficial animals blesses the necklaces in a ritual known as "feeding the necklaces." The initiate is required to have an extra set of white clothes, a hankerchief, and a hat to the home of his new padrino and madrino. Before the ceremony can begin, the initiate must be cleansed. The initiate then puts on the clean white clothes. The padrino then performs a rogacion de cabeza to determine whether or not the orishas like the ritual thus far. The necklaces are then given to the intiate.

The eight rank is achieved by receiving the initiation of the warriors. The initiate takes three small stones to the Babalawo or Santero. The Babalawo performs an opele to determine which stone to use for Eleggua's head. There is a cauldron for Oggun and Ochosi. Seven tools for Oggun and a crossbow for Ochosi are placed inside. A rooster icon is used to represent Osun. Twenty-one days after the warrior initiation, the initiate has to go to the home of his ahijado to "feed" the warriors a rooster.

The rest are considered the higher ranks that must be performed by a Babalawo. The seventh rank is achieved when a male initate receives the Abo-Faca, also known as mano de Orunla. Female initiates receive the Ico-Fa, but females cannot become Babalawos.

When you recieve the asciento initiation, you achieve the sixth step and become a Santero or Santera. It is also known as the karioriocha initiation. However, in order to eventually become a Babalawo, an Orisha cannot mount the Santero. The Santeros are expected to learn the rituals, divinations, and some Lucumi language. When a Santero's sacrificial knife is given to the new Santero, he ascends to the fifth rank in an initiation known as the Pinaldo.

Men who have not gone through the asciento can be consecrated to Ifa and ascend to the fourth rank. They become known as Babalawos, but they are not the Babalawos of the highest rank. The third rank consist of those who have recieved Ifa through a coronation or asciento. They are called oluwos. Men who go through the Cuanaldo or Wanaldo initiation ascend to the second rank. They receive the sacrifical knife of a Babalawo during the ritual.

Very few make it to the first rank. In order to become one of the high Babalawo, the initiate must go through the Olofi initiation, which allows you the reach the first and final rank. The Babalawo initiate must identify himself with the first 16 Kings of Yoruba. It is a seven day ceremony. On the first day, called "receiving of Orula, the initate is shave, painted, and crowned with coconut shells, beads, and red parrot feathers. Sixteen cuts are made into the head of the initiate. One of the high Babalawos paints the symbols of the sixteen kings on a block of cedar infront of the initiate. The five other Babalawos paint their symbols on the block as well, to show that they were present. Twenty-one palm nuts are then filled with water and placed on each of the twenty-one symbols. Two black hens, goats, or pidgeons are sacrificed and their blood and features placed on the shells. The ikin is dressed with honey, cocoa butter, palm oil, and coconut pulp by the padrino. The initiate then takes each of the ikin, cleans them with his mouth, and then spits them out into a bucket of water. The initiate takes the ashe of Orula into his soul by performing this ritual. The Babalawo then makes a deal with death by promissing not to touch his head without the permission of Orula. The Babalawo is also required to memorize all 256 categories of legends of Lettras and secret teachings, called oddus.

Going from a non-believer to become a Babalawo is a long task that involves years of dedication and money. The rituals are expensive to perform and very extensive in their nature. Few are able to ascend to the first rank because of these limitations.