Demystifying the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP)

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What is the National Pilates Certification Program?

The National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) is an independent credentialing body that provides a standardized, internationally-recognized certification for Pilates instructors. It was originally part of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) but became a separate entity in 2020.

The Value of the National Pilates Certification Program

Becoming a certified instructor through the NPCP can validate your expertise in the eyes of some and can be used as a marketing credential to gain more clients by establishing authority through this additional credential.

The NPCP is accredited by NCCA. While it is not required to obtain an NCCA accredited-certification, the NPCP is accredited by the NCCA which can provide an additional level of credibility for some. As of today, the NPCP is the only NCCA accredited Pilates Certification.

Additionally ,the NPCP hosts a database of certified teachers for clients to seek out. The NPCP offers a database of NCPTs (Nationally Certified Pilates Teachers) and PMC (Pilates Mat Certified Teachers,) available for anyone to view online.

What to Expect from the NPCP Certification

The NPCP is separate from your initial Pilates Teacher training and certification.

According to the NPCP website as of February 2025, in order to be eligible to take the NPCP exam, you must first:

1. Be at 18 years of age or older

2. Complete a 450 hours worth of formal or informal teacher training from any school or combination of schools that cover Mat, Reformer, Trapeze Table, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and Magic Ring

3. The training can be live or live virtual and must include history of Pilates, anatomy, special populations, observation hours, practice teaching hours, and self-practice hours

4. If the training was informal or from multiple schools/sources, a teacher trainer or school must verify that you have the comprehensive competencies required.

Your teacher training program will teach you the skills needed to teach Pilates, and the NPCP certification is a third party objective verification that you have the competencies that meet minimum industry requirements. It is not a requirement to be NPCP certified to teach, as the Pilates industry is unregulated–it is not a licensed profession.

The NPCP is a 125 multiple choice test, administered online.

The process includes an application process that must be done on a desktop computer. The exam itself has 125 multiple choice questions and you have 3 hours to complete it. Areas tested include critical observation, teaching, technical expertise, and professionalism. You may take the test at home, from an office, or at a testing center. The NPCP provides study guides and practice tests for purchase.

You have to pay for the exam, and earn 16 NPCP-approved CECs within 2 years to renew the certification.

Your initial test will cost $295 within the US and Canada and $395 outside of those territories. After passing your exam, you will need to earn 16 NPCP-approved continuing education credits within 2 years in order to renew your certification. There is a cost to renew, as well.

You may be wondering, is the founder of Graduate Pilates an NPCT? As of today, no. However, Corie Kellman meets the requirements to take this exam. In Corie’s personal experience, she has not needed to provide this level of certification in order to gain employment or attract clients, therefore, it has not been a priority for her. Graduate Pilates will work with our mentees to prepare them to take the exam, should they choose they want to become an NPCT and decide that is the path that is best for them.