Pilates Certification: Upholding Professional Competency

*NPCP Board from left to right: Cecilia Pulido, Alycea Ungaro, me, Iris Burman, Patrice Ross, Karyn Staples, Jolita Trahan, Tabatha Russell, Benjamin Degenhardt, Clare Dunphy and John Garey*

Many of my patients seek me out because of my experience teaching Pilates and integrating it into their rehabilitation programs. Often, their doctor or a friend has recommended Pilates, having heard it’s beneficial for back pain, knee issues, or other ailments.

However, some try a Pilates class without knowing anything about the instructor’s experience, only to find that it doesn’t help—and in some cases, makes things worse. The instructor may claim to be “certified,” but how can the public truly gauge what that means or the quality of their training?

A teacher training program can grant a certification, but when a school has a financial interest in certifying its students, the credibility of that certification is questionable.

Fortunately, the Pilates world has the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP), which upholds professional competency standards through the only third-party exam accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

I’ve been involved with the NPCP since 2012, helping develop and maintain the exam while serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors. After a decade of service, I officially termed out at the end of 2024. This February, I bid a fond farewell to my fellow board members and the NPCP staff, confident that I’m leaving the board in capable hands and proud of my contributions over the years.