PMA FAQs. Yes. As certification represents a credential, the PMA Pilates Certification Program is a credentialing agency.

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1 PMA FAQs What is the PMA? The PMA was formed in 2001, and is currently both: a Professional Association, created to support and unite the Pilates community. Its mission is to foster community, integrity, and respect for diversity; establish certification and continuing education standards; and promote the Pilates method of exercise. & a Certifying Agency, with the only NCCA accredited certification program for Pilates teachers. The program administers the only third party, legally defensible competency exam for Pilates teachers. The PMA is committed to establishing professional standards and promoting continuing education for Pilates teachers. Is the PMA a credentialing agency? Yes. As certification represents a credential, the PMA Pilates Certification Program is a credentialing agency. The PMA Pilates Certification Program is the only accredited certification program for Pilates teachers that administers an exam that leads to a professional credential. PMA certification demonstrates to the public, as well as to others in the profession, that a teacher meets an established standard of competence and safety for comprehensive Pilates instruction, independent of any particular school. What s the difference between PMA certification and a license? PMA certification is voluntary and non-governmental. Licensure is mandatory and governmental (there is currently no license for teaching Pilates).

2 What s the difference between a certification (from the PMA), and a certificate (the result of teacher training)? "Certification" (associated terms/concepts: "credential", "third-party certification exam") Certification is a voluntary process by which individuals are assessed against predetermined standards for knowledge/skills/competencies and granted a timelimited credential. The primary activity in certification is assessment, and the assessment process is independent of a specific course of study or any education/course/curriculum provider. Continuing education is always required to maintain a professional certification in good standing. "Assessment-based certificate program" (associated terms/concepts: "teacher training", "school", "education program", "syllabus leading to an exam based on that syllabus", vocational training ) An assessment-based certificate program is a relatively short, non-degree granting program that provides instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring knowledge/skills/competencies and designates that participants have passed an end-of-program assessment derived from the learning/course objectives. Although assessment is an integral part of the certificate program, the primary purpose of the program is to provide instruction and training. Continuing education is never required to maintain a "certificate" or "diploma" which is the result of the teacher training. Is the PMA s Pilates Certification Program accredited? Yes. The PMA s Pilates Certification Program is accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies).

3 What is the NCCA? The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), formerly called the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). The NCCA Standards were created in 1977 and updated in 2003 to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. By demonstrating compliance with NCCA Standards, the PMA Pilates Certification Program joins an elite group of more than 100 organizations representing over 250 certification programs, including ACE, ACSM, NATA BOC, and NCSF that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation. More information on the NCCA is available online at or by calling +1 (202) What should I know about NCCA accreditation? NCCA accreditation validates a large number of allied health, bodywork and fitness certification programs, including the PMA s. Holding the PMA s NCCA validated credential gives the individual credibility and recognition in their industry and in the outside world. IHRSA recommends that member clubs hire teachers that hold NCCA accredited credentials like the PMA's. Holding the PMA credential will increase opportunities for job placement in clubs that follow IHRSA's recommendations. The PMA credential is the only third party NCCA accredited certification in the Pilates industry. NCCA accreditation validates professional certification programs (including the PMA s), and sets the standard for how certification programs should operate. Certifications validated by the NCCA (like the PMA s) are sought after by professionals, governmental and non-governmental agencies and the general public. What agencies could accredit Pilates schools? At present there is no Pilates-specific school accreditation agency. For the time being, if a Pilates school wishes to become accredited, it could approach agencies such as:

4 ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training) ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) There are a number of other agencies that accredit schools. As these agencies would not be able to review the school s Pilates training content, it would be looking at stability, policies and procedures, systems, and so forth. No Pilates school would be able to obtain accreditation without first being licensed by whatever department regulates vocational training in their specific municipality. What is CREP? CREP is the acronym for the Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals (pronounced C-REP). CREP is comprised of exercise certification organizations in the U.S. that have certification programs accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) - the recognized standard in the U.S. for validating the assessment of professional competence. CREP s mission is To secure recognition of registered exercise professionals as health providers, in order to make structured physical activity accessible and safe for all. CREP advocates for exercise professionals that hold NCCA-accredited certifications on issues that pertain to regulation, access and scope of work. Current member organizations of CREP include: American Council on Exercise (ACE) American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Cooper Institute (CI) National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) As a member of this group, the PMA Certification Program identifies the Pilates Method as distinct from other fitness methodologies. This identification educates others in the fitness industry and the general public.

5 Learn more at What is USREPS? USREPS is the acronym for the United States Registry of Exercise Professionals (pronounced U.S.-REPS). It is an internationally recognized US registry, or database, of exercise professionals that hold certifications that are accredited by the NCCA. The registry is maintained by CREP. USREPS will assist in credential verification. Employers, regulatory bodies and consumers can verify current NCCA-accredited certifications through USREPS. USREPS will display all of the current NCCA-accredited certifications that an individual holds through all the member organizations. Through a united voice, USREPS will collaborate with established international registries, supporting the portability of the PMA-CPT credential on a global level. Learn more at What is ICREPS? ICREPS is the acronym for the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (pronounced I C-REPS). It is an international partnership between registration bodies around the world that register exercise professionals. Confederation members include: Australia Fitness Australia Canada NFLA/ANLCP Ireland REPs Ireland New Zealand REPs South Africa REPS SA United Arab Emirates REPs U.A.E. United Kingdom REPs United States of America USREPS

6 ICREPs is a membership based organization. Its members all operate independent, competency based registration systems for exercise/fitness professionals. ICREPs members collectively register almost 1/4 million individual exercise professionals. ICREPs has also produced a global matrix that maps each ICREPs member s registration levels against the others, which provides a clear pathway for exercise professionals considering moving countries. Learn more at Does the PMA offer teacher training? No. The PMA is not a Pilates school; it does not offer foundational training for Pilates teachers. However, once per year the PMA s Annual Meeting offers a wide range of mat classes and continuing education workshops taught by members of the Pilates community. Does the PMA have legal authority? No. The PMA is an association of Pilates teachers. It is not an arm of the law or government, and does not have legal authority. It does not receive government funds to operate. The PMA has no regulatory authority to watch over or police the Pilates field. The PMA does seek to protect its own trademarks and logos, and will request that anyone using a PMA trademark or logo inappropriately stops doing so. The only authority the PMA has is in relation to its own members or certificants, whose relationship to the PMA is voluntary. PMA members and PMA Certified Pilates Teachers agree to follow the PMA Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice guidelines. The PMA has a set of Disciplinary Procedures outlined on it s website. PMA members and PMA certificants may be censured by the PMA if they are proven to have violated these guidelines and refused to repair the violation. This represents an aspect of self-regulation, which provides the public with greater assurance that PMA standards are being upheld by its members and certificants. The PMA Ethics Officer and Ethics Committee review Ethics Charges that may

7 be made against PMA members and certificants. Ethics Charges may be made by PMA members, PMA certificants, and members of the public - in other words, by anyone. Is the PMA an accrediting organization? Does the PMA accredit, recognize or endorse? No. The PMA does not accredit, recognize, approve, assess or endorse Pilates teacher training programs, Pilates studios, equipment, books or products. The PMA does maintain a Registry of Schools. Pilates schools that have applied and met criteria established by the Teacher Training Summit delegates of the Summit meetings (2009 & 2011) may be included in the Registry of Schools. The PMA does approve continuing education workshops for PMA CECs (continuing education credits). What sort of entity is the PMA? PMA is a not-for-profit organization This means the organization is not privately owned. The PMA is governed by a board of volunteer directors who are elected by the membership. Programs are administered by a salaried staff. The purpose of a not-for-profit is to achieve its goals, not to make profits for owners or shareholders (as there are none). A not-for-profit organization may generate surplus funds. However, if any profits are made, they must be reinvested into PMA programs. The phrase not-for-profit describes a corporation with a particular tax status granted by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service the US s tax collection agency). If the PMA did not operate within its mission as defined by the IRS s notfor-profit guidelines, fines would be imposed on the PMA, and the IRS and the State of Florida (where the PMA is incorporated) would both rescind (remove) the PMA s not-for-profit status, and the organization would be taxed as a for profit corporation. Not-for-profit corporations must be financially transparent; anyone may request copies of the PMA s tax returns at any time. The PMA has operated successfully as a not-for-profit corporation since

8 its inception in Who governs the PMA? Board of Directors governs the Professional Association Certification Commission governs the Certifying Agency Is the Pilates profession regulated? No. At present, the Pilates profession is unregulated. However, the PMA community is working to develop self-regulation through professional certification, and the development of PMA s programs generally. Note: Self-regulation, and governmental regulation can coexist harmoniously. What does a professional association do? A professional association Establishes professional identity Creates community Builds unity & a global perspective Facilitates communication Pursues aims & objectives Produces events and programs: Annual Meeting (conference), Pilates Day, Pilates Youth Program, Registry of Schools, Teacher Training Summit The association is the engine that drives all organized industry development activity. What is unique about the PMA as a professional association? The PMA is Pilates specific it establishes a professional identity for Pilates teachers. The PMA s position is that: Pilates is a distinct, unique discipline, sufficient unto itself.

9 Pilates is not a sub-set skill of a personal trainers or group exercise instructors. Note: In other professions, among other things, professional associations have facilitated cooperative interactions among schools and the development of organizations specific to training and accreditation. In the PMA s case, the work of the Teacher Training Summits could someday lead to the development of an entity, (separate to the PMA), to accredit Pilates schools. What are the fundamental components of established professions? The model for mature professions is well established and has several fundamental components. The essential components of a profession include: A specific body of knowledge A membership association exclusive to the profession Standardized third party credentialing of practitioners upon entry into the profession Accreditation of the certification program Continuing education requirements A code of conduct and ethics A defined scope of practice Disciplinary procedures Self-regulation Research A clear distinction between training organizations and certifying agencies Industry-specific accreditation of academic programs The PMA has supported the development of most of these components. We now need to support and build upon these foundations. Is PMA certification required for PMA members or Pilates teachers generally? No. You do not have to take the PMA certification exam to be a PMA member. You can be a PMA member, OR PMA certified, OR both! The association is working to build a critical mass of Pilates teachers who do have PMA certification. And, some employers request PMA certification as a condition of employment, particularly as the certification program was NCCA

10 accredited in Note: While the PMA is non-governmental, and PMA certification is voluntary, the PMA may require PMA certification to participate in certain PMA programs. For example, PMA certification is required: To be a PMA conference presenter To be a PMA CEC provider Of a school s Program Director, for a school to be included in the PMA s Registry of Schools What are the PMA s Teacher Training Summit meetings about? Summit meetings explore the educational landscape of the Pilates field. The intention of the exploration is to create opportunities for educators to impact the growth of the Pilates industry through cooperation, organization, and commitment. The first Summit was held in Dallas, TX in 2009, and explored the difference between certification and assessment-based certificates (this distinction is explained above). At this meeting, the delegates proposed the creation of a Registry of Schools, and suggested the required criteria. The second Summit meeting was in Vail, CO in At this meeting, delegates reviewed the survey data that the PMA had collected from 20 Pilates schools regarding the content of their training programs, in an effort to determine a minimum template for comprehensive Pilates teacher training programs. The delegates found that some of the questions used to gather the data needed to be refined, so they broke into groups to work together, making suggestions on how the questions could be improved. The third Summit meeting will be held on June 7-9, 2013 in Miami Beach, FL. This Summit will continue the work begun in 2011, and will focus on presenting new survey data collected from a much larger number of Pilates schools, with the clear intention of agreeing upon a minimum template for comprehensive Pilates teacher training. The PMA is working to include 100 schools from around the world in the data gathering process.

11 The next Summit meeting will be held on November 11, 2014 in San Diego, California. The Summit meetings are free of charge, and all involved in Pilates teacher training may attend and participate, regardless of whether or not they are PMA members. Do you have general questions about the PMA? Help us develop our PMA FAQ sheet. Please your questions to