Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who can take the certification exam?

    Anyone 18 and older who has completed a comprehensive teacher-training program that includes Mat, Reformer, Trapeze Table, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Magic Circle. The program must be minimally 450 hours.

    This process can be very formal where a school has set assessments or very informal where a leader in the teacher training community may have knowledge of your competencies and can verify without the need for assessments. If you have doubts, 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?

    This depends on how you received your training and what training you received. You would need to find a teacher trainer or school that is willing to assess your comprehensive competencies. If they feel you have the competencies of a comprehensively trained teacher, then they can verify your application. If they feel you need training in certain aspects of a program, they may offer you the training to complete the eligibility requirement. This process can be very formal where a school has set assessments or very informal where a leader in the teacher training community may have knowledge of your competencies and can verify without the need for assessments. If you have doubts, contact us at [email protected].

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

    We accept graduates from any school that offers a comprehensive program that 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?

    The NPCP application is online. You will be redirected to the PSI Website to complete this application. 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 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.

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

    Within 1 week after passing, candidate 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, renewal information, and a username and password. This user name and password will enable the certificant to update their information on the NPCP website.
  1. How much does the exam cost?

    The exam fee is $295 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 (CBT) 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?

    Certificants must earn 16 NPCP-approved CECs in order to renew their certification. All CECs must be completed within a two (2) year renewal period. To renew your 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. How do I become a CEC provider?

    You must be a NCPT that has been teaching clients for a minimum of five years and has been teaching Pilates workshops to teachers for a minimum of one year. Refer to provider application and instructions here.

  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.

  1. Who can take the certification exam?

    Anyone 18 and older who has completed a comprehensive teacher-training program that includes Mat, Reformer, Trapeze Table, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Magic Circle. The program must be minimally 450 hours.

    This process can be very formal where a school has set assessments or very informal where a leader in the teacher training community may have knowledge of your competencies and can verify without the need for assessments. If you have doubts, contact [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?

    This depends on how you received your training and what training you received. You would need to find a teacher trainer or school that is willing to assess your comprehensive competencies. If they feel you have the competencies of a comprehensively trained teacher, then they can verify your application. If they feel you need training in certain aspects of a program, they may offer you the training to complete the eligibility requirement. This process can be very formal where a school has set assessments or very informal where a leader in the teacher training community may have knowledge of your competencies and can verify without the need for assessments. If you have doubts, contact [email protected]

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

    We accept graduates from any school that offers a comprehensive program that as described in #1 above.

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

    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?

    The NPCP application is online. You will be redirected to the PSI Website to complete this application. 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 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.

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

    Within 1 week after passing, candidate 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, renewal information, and a username and password. This user name and password will enable the certificant to update their information on the certification website.
  1. How much does the exam cost?

    The exam fee is $295 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 (CBT) 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?

    Certificants must earn 16 NPCP-approved CECs in order to renew their certification. All CECs must be completed within a two (2) year renewal period. To renew your 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. How do I become a CEC provider?

    You must be a NCPT that has been teaching clients for a minimum of five years and has been teaching Pilates workshops to teachers for a minimum of one year. Refer to provider application and instructions here.

  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.