Jedi rankings
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Members of the order progressed through four tiers of rank, sometimes referred to as levels.
Youngling/Initiate
An unofficial title, this refers to a child with Force potential. (Also referred to as "Jedi Hopeful.") More accurately, Youngling is Galactic Basic slang for children of any sort. At a very young age, the Jedi initiates leave their homes and are assigned to a group for training. If a youngling is not chosen by any Jedi Knight to be their Padawan by 13 years of age, the youngling is placed into another, lesser role in the Jedi Service Corps. Depending on where the student's talents lie, this may be the Agricultural Corps, the Medical Corps, or the Exploration Corps.
Padawan
An apprentice Jedi who undergoes intensive one-on-one training under a Jedi Knight or Master after graduating from the academy. As tradition a human Padawan grows a long strand of braided hair that is finally cut off during the ceremony of knighthood, when a Padawan becomes a Jedi knight. A Jedi may have only one apprentice at a time, and is required to promote the current apprentice before taking another. Master Yoda was seen training several younglings in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, but they were receiving generic Jedi teachings from him rather than being trained as Padawans. The word "Padawan" is likely a corruption of "padwar", a low-ranking officer in Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom science fiction books. Some Jedi Masters have taken more than one Padawan at a time. (It should be noted however, that the term 'padawan' was not mentioned until Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This can be explained as another thing lost following the Great Jedi Purge.)
Jedi Knight
Disciplined, experienced padawans may become full-fledged Jedi once they have completed "the trials", which are usually intensified tests, physical and otherwise, of candidates' skills, knowledge and dedication. The Trials are Trial of Flesh, Trial of Courage, Trial of Skill and Trial of Self, also known as "facing the mirror". Occasionally, performing an extraordinary (usually heroic) act can earn a padawan learner Jedi Knight status, such as when Obi-Wan Kenobi, toward the end of his training, defeated Darth Maul, Dark Lord of the Sith, during the Battle of Naboo. Jedi Knight is the most common rank of Jedi, hence, the title is also used, mostly by non-Jedi, to refer to any member of the order that has at least met the compulsory requirements of the Jedi Council. Jedi Council member Mace Windu.
Jedi Master
A Jedi Knight may become a Master after successfully training a Padawan learner to Knight status. Though this is the most common manner, it is not always the case. If the council sees that a Jedi Knight has become more powerful and has gained more knowledge and discipline in the Force, then they can be nominated by one or more council members to take the trials again. But this time, the trials will be much harder. It should also be said that most Jedi Masters, like Qui-Gon Jinn, never become members of the Council, as it is not a requirement to be a Master. The rank can also be achieved through the performance of extraordinary deeds or self-proclamation, though the latter is extremely rare.
Jedi Council Member
When a Jedi Council Member vacates their seat the council looks for an exceptional Jedi Master to fill the empty position. Presiding Council members elect prospective candidates when openings become available. In some texts the Council has a few Knights in its membership "to give a different perspective"; however most references were removed in preparation for Revenge of the Sith, as Anakin's position on the council, but lack of promotion to Master, was a point of contention. While there are no explicit ranks among the Jedi Council (as it is, at least theoretically, a conclave of equals), there are clear centers of authority. Yoda, during his tenure on the Council, was generally regarded as the Council's seniormost member, or better known as the Grand Master, and Mace Windu as his second. During the time of the New Jedi Order, Luke's "first-among-equals" position as the Grand Master is also unquestioned, if not totally agreed with.
According to the Dorling Kindersly guide to Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace, some members were permanent members while the rest served limited terms, after which they stepped down and another member would be elected to the council.