Certification Renewal Requirements


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. Initial certification begins the date the certificant passes the certification exam and renewal is required every subsequent 2 years. 
Note: Certificants must keep records of their CEC hours completed; the NPCP does not keep continuing education records for certificants.

As Pilates is based on a specific approach to movement and exercise the NPCP Board has determined that 2 years is an appropriate cycle for renewal of the credential and 16 continuing education credits the required training to ensure that professionals remain current with the best practice guidelines, specific knowledge and skills to assure continued competence in the field of Pilates. The 2-year cycle and requisite continuing education are subject to change to keep pace with any change in the expectations of a competent Pilates teacher.

Rationale:

As stated in the Code of Ethics, certified Pilates professionals agree to continue gaining education to enhance their skills and knowledge, and to provide the highest quality services to clients. The purpose of this requirement is twofold:

  • First and foremost, the purpose of continuing education is for the protection of the public. Continuing education that advances knowledge, skills, and abilities, supports the Pilates method.

  • Secondly, it is imperative for Pilates professionals to go beyond entry-level and embrace the cutting edge of scientific understanding and validation of the Pilates method; to stay abreast of the development in the field in order to stay competent and competitive; and to broaden their skill set with a variety of approaches including training beyond the Pilates paradigm in order to enhance their capacity to work with a variety of clients including special populations.

 

    Continuing Education

  • The NPCP provides a list of approved CECs here.

  • Certificants that attend non-approved workshops may petition to have some or all of the hours attended considered for their renewal. Petitioned hours may fall into the categories described below and are subject to the maximum number of hours allowed for each category. To verify that the workshop is eligible for petitioning before submission, please contact the Continuing Education Department. Certificants must submit a completed petition for each course you wish have to considered and pay the petition application fee of $25. Click here to access the petition application. 
    Note: Distance Learning (Online, DVD or Home Study) is not subject to petitioning. 

Maximum number of CECs per category

Category Max number of CECs
Pilates content Up to 16
Allied modalities Up to 16
Industry development Up to 10
Research Up to 6
Business development Up to 4

Maximum number of CECs by delivery

Content delivery Max number of CECs
Live course (Live Streaming) Up to 16
Distance learning (with a quiz) Up to 12
CPR course Up to 3
AED course Up to 1
 

CECs are divided into 2 categories:

1) Pilates content

Pilates content workshops must be taught by an NCPT who has been teaching clients for a minimum of 5 years and has been teaching Pilates workshops to teachers for a minimum of 1 year.


2) Complementary content

Allied Modalities (up to 16 CECs)

Allied modality workshops support the NCPT by broadening their skill set beyond the Pilates paradigm. These workshops include topics such as:

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Biomechanics
  • Kinesiology
  • Movement, etc.

Allied Modality workshops must be taught by a licensed healthcare professional, or an individual that provides evidence of mastery of the subject matter presented.

The subject matter must fit within the presenter’s scope of experience/knowledge and be applied appropriately to the Pilates professional’s Scope of Practice.


Industry Development (up to 10 CECs)

Industry Development workshops are intended to enhance the Pilates teacher’s understanding of the structures inherent within established professions. Presenters should identify established norms and focus on those established elements that commonly define an industry. These workshops must be taught by individuals with field experience in:

  • Third party certification
  • Professional associations
  • Accreditation
  • Licensure development

The subject matter must fit within the presenter’s scope of experience/knowledge and be applied appropriately to the Pilates professional’s Scope of Practice.


Business Development (up to 4 CECs)

Business development workshops address the skills necessary to maintain a productive Pilates studio. Subjects like those listed below will be considered:

  • Business administration
  • Marketing
  • Networking
  • IT support
  • Bookkeeping
  • Accounting

This coursework must be taught by a presenter that holds a degree, (a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree), in business administration, finance, accounting, or have 5 plus years of experience as a business owner or administrator.


Research (up to 6 CECs)

The promotion of research within the field of Pilates represents a level of development and growth that is invaluable for Pilates teachers that want to remain at the cutting edge of scientific understanding and validation of the Pilates Method. Research studies undertaken at a university, college, research organization, or by an individual will be considered.

The subject matter must fit within the presenter’s scope of experience/knowledge and be relevant to the Pilates professional’s Scope of Practice.

The research methodology must provide minimally one of the following levels of evidence:

  • Peer reviewed or published research (e.g. systematic reviews, controlled trials, Cohort studies) (up to 6 CECs)
  • Poster presentations (up to 1 CEC)

Note: Candidates wanting to use research for their renewal must petition the work to obtain credit.



Appeals Process

Certificants whose renewal is denied may appeal. Certificants who wish to appeal may do so within 10 days of notice of a denied application. Appeals are processed within 30 days. The decision of the Certification Manager is final. Candidates desiring to appeal the results of a petition denial must comply with the following:
  • An appeal must be emailed to [email protected] and received within 10 calendar days of the denial.
  • The candidate is responsible for demonstrating that the appeal should be considered by providing all details supporting their request for the reversal of the adverse decision.