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MANY SCHOOLS

ONE SOURCE FOR CREDENTIALING 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who can take the certification exam?

    Pilates Comprehensive: anyone 18 and older who has completed a Comprehensive teacher education that includes Mat, Reformer, Trapeze Table, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Magic Circle. The program must be minimally 450 hours.

    Pilates Mat: anyone 18 and older who has successfully completed a Pilates Mat teacher education based on Return to Life, including all necessary coursework, assignments, assessments, and exams. This education must be a minimum of 100 hours.

    If you have questions regarding training requirements, contact us at: [email protected].

  2. I have been practicing Pilates for many years and have received training from different people, but I never received formal training. Can I still take the exam?

    Contact us at [email protected] and we will help you sort it out.

  3. What school must I attend in order to take the exam?

    We accept graduates from any school that offers a Comprehensive , Pilates Mat as described in #1 above.

  4. I don't live in the US, can I still take the exam?

    The test can be taken within a testing center or online from your home or office. Our test administration company has testing centers all over the world. The exam is available near most metropolitan cities.
  1. How long does it take to process the application and take the exam?

    Applications are available on the NPCP website and must be accessed online. Candidates are notified of application status via email within 24 hours of submission.

    * Apply when ready to take the exam as eligibility is 90 days (3 months).
    * Use a desktop computer; accessing the application from a mobile device will cause connectivity issues with payment and scheduling.
    * For details on testing, download and read the Candidate Handbook in its entirety.

  2. What is the exam like?

    The NPCP Pilates Comprehensive certification exam consists of 125, multiple choice questions. You have 3 hours to complete the exam. The four areas of focus are critical observation, teaching, technical expertise and professionalism.

    The NPCP Pilates Mat certification exam consists of 100, multiple choice questions (75 scored). The exam is administered at testing centers worldwide and online, remote live proctored (home, office). Candidates are allowed 2.5 hours to complete the exam. The four areas of focus are client assessment, repertoire knowledge and program design, technical expertise and business management and professionalism.

  3. I recently passed the exam; when do I receive my certificate?

    Within 1 week after passing, exam information will be transferred to the Certification Program’s database at which point candidates will receive an email, including their digital badge, instructions on use and renewal information.
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  1. How much does the exam cost?

    The Pilates Comprehensive exam fee is $300 , Pilates Mat exam fee is $225 and includes the exam and the first two years of certification.
    Testing outside the US and Canada requires an additional fee of $100.00.
    The exam is administered at testing centers worldwide on a computer or online, with virtual proctoring in the comfort of your home or office.
  1. I have a trouble taking tests due to anxiety or reading issues. Can I get extra time to take the exam?

    Reasonable accommodations are provided for candidates who have any sort of impairment e.g., walking, talking, hearing, reading, performing manual tasks, etc. To apply for reasonable accommodations, the candidate must submit documentation provided within the past 12 months by a medical professional on the professional’s letterhead. The documentation must reference a diagnosis of the disability and specific recommendations for accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are considered based on the candidate’s request, disability, documentation submitted, and appropriateness of the request. Reasonable accommodations do not include steps that fundamentally alter the purpose or nature of the exam.
    If you need to request special accommodations, contact us 45 days BEFORE scheduling your exam: [email protected]

  2. Can I take the test online at home?

    Yes. The exam is offered online from your home or office or at a testing center. For candidates wishing to take the exam from a testing center, our test administration company contracts colleges, universities and testing centers all over the world.

  3. I’ve recently moved and need to update my address. How do I change my address?

    Contact us: [email protected]

  1. How do I renew my certification?

    Pilates Comprehensive Certificants must earn 16 NPCP-approved CECs in order to renew their certification.
    Pilates Mat Certificants must earn 8 NPCP-approved CECs in order to renew their certification.
    All CECs must be completed within a two (2) year renewal period.

    To renew your Pilates Comprehensive certification, click here.
    To renew your Pilates Mat certification, click here.

  2. Why do you accept CECs that are not Pilates? (Barre, Gyrotonic, etc…)?

    Complementary workshops support the certified Pilates teacher by broadening their skill set beyond the Pilates paradigm. Such coursework supports certificants in obtaining a well-rounded and unique understanding of the field.

  3. Why do I have to complete Continuing Education Credits to renew my certification?

    Continuing Education ensures professionals stay up to date with industry best practices and maintain high standards of competency.

  4. Where can I find NPCP approved courses?

    You will find a list of NPCP courses in our website click here, under Find CECs.

  5. What is the Find CECs for?

    It is a listing that shows the currently NPCP approved courses that are being offered. This is not intended to check if a course that you attended in the past is approved. It is intended for you to plan ahead. Courses may be approved for a certain period of time and not before or after that period. It is the provider's decision. Courses have to be approved for the date that you took them.

  6. Are these the only NPCP approved courses?

    No, there are some NPCP providers that choose not to post their courses in our listing. You may find information in their websites and they still may not appear in the listing.

  7. How can I do to learn if a course that does not appear in the listing is NPCP approved?

    You can email us at [email protected] to confirm.

  8. I love the classes taught by a certain provider, but they do not have their courses approved by NPCP. What can I do?

    Contact the provider to inquire and learn if they intend to submit it to NPCP and let them know that you will take the course if it grants you NPCP CECs.

  9. Will this provider be automatically approved?

    No, there is nothing automatic here. They will undergo the review process as all other providers to make sure they comply with our requirements.

  10. Can I submit a certification renewal diploma from another agency for CECs?

    No. Only courses that you complete following our renewal requirements will be accepted.

  11. When shall I start taking my CEC courses?

    You can start as soon as you recertify. This will take a lot of stress out of the recertification process, and avoid late fee payments.

  12. Can I submit a course that I already took in the past and I repeated it because I loved it?

    No. You cannot repeat continuing education courses to fulfill your renewal requirements.

  13. I hold multiple certifications, and it is hard to keep up with all the renewals. What can I do?

    Once you find a course that you like, you can contact the provider to learn if they also have it approved for other agencies. Some of our providers have their courses approved by several agencies. To do this, you have to start your inquiries early in your renewal because it may take you time to find these providers. It is always a good idea to plan with plenty of time.

  14. I took a 100-hour course, will the extra CECs roll over to the next cycle?

    No, CECs do not roll over.

  15. I am an educator, do I still have to present CECs to recertify?

    Yes, NPCP renewal requirements apply to all certificants, regardless of their profession, knowledge, reputation or lineage.

  1. When do I need to petition?

    When you take workshops, courses that are NOT approved to grant CECs by NPCP.

  2. What courses can be submitted in a petition? And how many CECs should I expect to obtain?

    Pilates content workshops that are taught live or live streamed by an NCPT: Up to 16 CECs.
    Complementary content workshops that fall within the Scope of Practice of a Pilates teacher and are taught live or live streamed by an expert in the field: Up to 16 CECs.
    College courses that fall within the Scope of Practice of a Pilates teacher and that are taught live or live streamed: Up to 16 CECs.
    Business Development workshops that address the skills necessary to maintain a productive Pilates studio: Up to 4 CECs.
    Research studies undertaken at a university, college, research organization, or by an individual will be considered as long as these are relevant to the Pilates Scope of Practice and through peer reviewed or published research or poster presentations: Up to 16 CECs.

  3. When can I submit a petition?

    As of the 6 months prior to your certificate's expiration date you can start your renewal process. First, you need to submit your renewal application and pay the renewal fee. When this is done, you can proceed with submitting your petition.

  4. What documents do I need to petition for a workshop?

    You will need the Certificate of Completion or a Letter of Attendance, the Instructor's Curriculum Vitae, resume and the Workshop Description or Syllabus to upload into your application.

  5. Can I petition for Distance Learning workshops?

    No. Distance Learning workshops are not subject to petitioning. You can petition for workshops that are not NPCP approved, which you have taken live or live streamed and which fall within the Scope of Practice of a Pilates Instructor.

  6. I took a workshop that was a recording of a live event. Can I petition for these hours?

    No, this is categorized as Distance Learning. Distance Learning workshops cannot be petitioned for.

  7. I took a class on book-keeping, technology, business, marketing with a non-approved NPCP provider. Can I petition for these hours?

    Yes, as long as the workshop was in-person or live streamed, you will be granted a maximum of 4 CECs, regardless of how long the workshop was and provided the instructor holds the specific credentials and knowledge of the subject in question.

  8. If I took several 1, 2 CECs workshops from a non-NPCP approved provider, how many petitions shall I submit? or can I submit only one petition?

    You will need to submit as many petitions as certificates you have.

  9. Can I receive CECs from a college course?

    If you are attending an accredited college or university, you have the option to petition for completed and passed courses to earn CECs. Courses must have been completed within the dates of your recertification cycle. We do not award CECs for diplomas, only for a specific course. Such course MUST remain within the Scope of Practice of a Pilates Teacher.

  10. What documents do I need to petition for college courses?

    You will need the Official Transcript, the Course Syllabus and the Professor's CV.

  11. Can I submit a petition for 1 CEC?

    Yes, you can.

  12. Can I mail in my Certificate of Completion and, or other documents for a petition?

    No, you cannot mail in any documents to us. All the process must be done through our system.

  13. What happens if my petition is rejected?

    You will be able to see that in your account in our website. You will need to submit CECs to cover for your renewal requirements. The petition fee is non-refundable. If you have doubts about whether your petition will be approved, you can always email all the information, documents to [email protected] to be advised.

  14. Why would my petition be denied?

    Petitions can be denied if they are:
    - Not within the NPCP Scope of Practice, regardless of what other certifications or licensures you may hold
    - Missing documentation or if the information could not be verified or found to be false
    - Not taken within your current renewal cycle
    - Not taught by individuals who meet credential qualifications. Pilates content courses MUST be taught by NCPTs

  15. Will my petition fee be refunded if my petition is denied?

    Petition fees are non-refundable because they cover the cost of the human resources used to fully review the course, event presented.

  16. Why do I have to petition for a workshop that I took from a provider who last renewal period was accepted?

    This happens because the providers have the choice to renew their workshops or not. So, a workshop that your friend took last year, and it was approved, it may not be approved this year. Some providers may have some of their workshops approved while not all of them.

  17. I submitted a petition, but I see it has not been approved yet.

    Most likely, there is something missing. Either you have not completed your renewal application and paid the fee, or you have not paid the petition fee. Missing or inaccurate information in the petition application can also delay the review process. In these cases, you will be contacted to the email associated to your account.

  18. Who shall I contact for questions regarding petitions?

    You can contact our Continuing Education Coordinator at [email protected].

  1. How can I become a CEC provider?

    If you are not sure if you are qualified to become a CEC provider, please, email your inquiry to [email protected]. If you know you are qualified, once you have a workshop that you want to offer, log in to our website. Stand on “Continuing Education” on the top bar, select “Become a CEC Provider” from the drop-down menu and read the information provided. When you are ready, select “CEC Provider Dashboard” and click on “Create New Application”. Please, DO NOT start an application if you don't have all your details ready to finalize the submission.

  2. Is the process to become a CEC provider difficult?

    It is quite simple and entirely done through our website. If you have questions, you can contact us at [email protected].

  3. Do I need to be an NCPT to be a provider?

    If you are planning on teaching Pilates content workshops you need to be an NCPT. In the case of allied modalities, being complementary content, you do not need to be an NCPT. However, you will be required to show expertise in the subject matter presented.

  4. What is the difference between host and presenter?

    The Host is the person who owns a physical or virtual space that offers workshops. This person will not be the presenter of the workshop. You will submit as presenter if you are teaching the workshop.

  5. How are CECs counted?

    1 CEC equals 1 clock hour.

  6. What is the difference between Live, Live Streamed, Distance Learning, Online?

    - Live workshops are in-person instruction where you meet the instructor and your peers in the same physical space.
    - Live Streaming are workshops done through virtual platforms like Skype, Zoom, Facebook Live, etc. where the instructor and the participants share a virtual space and there is interaction among them.
    - Distance Learning are self-paced home study programs where you will normally watch a prerecorded video, read or listen to material in your own time. These kinds of workshops require a quiz to be passed to get a certificate.
    - Online, we do not use this term at NPCP.

  7. I am teaching workshops over streaming platforms, should I submit my application as Live or Distance Learning?

    Live streamed workshops grant Live CECs. Therefore, you will submit these as Live.

  8. What do I need to include in the Workshop Objectives?

    It has to show what the students will have learnt after taking your workshop.

  9. What is the Workshop Outline?

    This is your lesson plan. You can do it by hours or with bullet points.

  10. What is the Workshop Description?

    This is your marketing piece, what certificants going through our listing of approved providers will see about your workshop. This is your selling point. Be clear and captivating.

  11. Why am I required to upload an assessment?

    Because you submitted a Distance Learning application. Live, live streamed workshops do not require an assessment.

  12. How many questions should an assessment have?

    The guideline states that you should include 5 to 7 questions per 1 hour of class. Assessment may include multiple choice, true, false format, complete the sentence so long as required responses demonstrate understanding of the program content. The assessment should address the entire presentation. It can be done in partial quizzes along the presentation, a final exam, or both. The assessment uploaded into your application needs to have an answer key.

  13. What will the review of my Distance Learning workshop include?

    Aside from the content and the Scope of Practice, we will check for audio and, or visual clarity, relevance to enhancing the teaching skills of a Pilates teacher and delivery and presentation; presenter should deliver a clear, well-prepared, logical educational experience.

  14. My workshop requires participants to do homework, plan a class, record a video, pre-read material. Are these hours counted towards the CECs granted?

    The only hours accounted for are the hours the participants spend in instruction time with you or the duration of the video, reading material, etc.

  15. Do I have to pay to become a CEC provider?

    You only pay when you submit an application for review. The price will depend on the delivery and the CECs offered and it is valid for 1 year as of the date of approval. Renewals are subject to the same prices.

  16. Why if your website says a 1-3 CEC workshop application is $30, the system is charging me $100?

    Most likely, you submitted your application as Distance Learning. Please, change the delivery to Live. This should solve the problem. If you have already paid for your application, please, email [email protected]. We will change the delivery to Live and issue a refund.

  17. If my application is rejected, will I get a refund?

    No, application fees are non-refundable.

  18. Will you advertise my workshop?

    No, we do not advertise. However, we have a Listing of approved providers in our website where we refer certificants to check for approved workshops. You can choose to post your workshops in this listing.

  19. Where will my workshop show?

    Once your application has been approved, if you choose to complete your Listing application, your workshop will appear in our website in the section Find CECs under the Continuing Education menu. We do not post anything. This is the providers' responsibility.

  20. Once accepted, is my workshop PMA approved?

    No, your workshop will be NPCP approved. The Pilates Method Alliance is the Association for Pilates professionals that has no incidence on workshop approval nor on certification.

  21. Is there a video that I can watch to understand how to become a provider?

    Yes, if you go to our Home page, you scroll down and you will find a Video Library. Click to access the content and find How to Become an NPCP provider.

  1. What is the difference between certification and comprehensive teacher-training?

    Teacher-training programs teach an individual the skills needed to teach Pilates. Certification offers an objective verification of competency and assures that your training meets established minimum industry standards.

  2. Why is certification important?

    Certification programs add credibility to an industry. As Pilates is an unregulated industry (it is not a licensed profession), third-party certification provides the next best thing. Certification assures the public that the practitioner is competent and safe to work with the public.

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