International Teacher Training Accreditation for Pilates
ITTAP Program Overview
“The ITTAP application process was very straightforward and user-friendly. We did have some questions as we completed the application, and Dan at PMA answered all of them in a very thoughtful and timely manner. This new program places the curriculum and practice-teaching at the forefront, which will create better teacher training courses and stronger Pilates teachers. Applying for the new ITTAP program was a good exercise for our studio — we had to revisit our educational model and rethink and adapt parts of our training. We feel our programs will be even better this year because of the new ITTAP standards.”.
– Natural Pilates Co, ITTAP-Approved Program 2022
The Pilates Method Alliance International Teacher Trainer Accreditation for Pilates (ITTAP) program provides accreditation for Pilates train-the-trainer programs in the areas of Mat, Reformer, and Comprehensive. The PMA is a third-party, self-regulating group of Pilates professionals who are committed to advancing the Pilates industry.
ITTAP was designed to provide standards of excellence for Pilates teacher training programs worldwide. The ITTAP was developed with input from Pilates leaders, PMA board members and other professionals in the industry, who indicated that a simpler, more inclusive process was needed. The accreditation is aligned with the PMA’s goal to further professionalize the industry and support the continued education of Pilates for future generations of students.
Pilates teacher training programs that meet the ITTAP criteria are recognized as quality programs committed to upholding the educational principles of Pilates.
The ITTAP focuses solely on the Pilates program, or curriculum, being taught. An ITTAP approval of a Pilates teacher training program is not an endorsement of individual teachers, who may all have different teaching styles and approaches to the program.
Those seeking the accreditation must acknowledge that their teacher training educational program complies with all applicable local, state, federal, and international business, employment, and intellectual property laws as per the PMA Code of Ethics based on their locality.
The next application round will open September 1 and close October 31, 2023.
If you have questions about Pilates teacher training program accreditation, please email us at ittap@pilatesmethodalliance.org.
ITTAP Structure and Fees
Pilates teacher training programs may seek ITTAP approval for one or all of three tiers (Mat, Reformer, Comprehensive) and must adhere to up to 10 educational standards, depending on the approval tier desired.
Regardless of tier, all programs must have teacher trainers who are Comprehensive Pilates training graduates with a minimum of 500 hours teaching Pilates clients and 200 hours of cumulative experience training potential teachers.
Mat Teacher Training Program Standards
Program must be a minimum of 100 hours and include the following:
- 32 Hours of Lecture (must include the History of Pilates, Anatomy, Special Populations, Teaching/Cueing)
- 20 Hours of Observation (minimum of 10 hours must be live or live virtual)
- 16 Self Practice Hours
- 12 Hours of Practice Teaching with the Student as the Instructor (must have a minimum of 2 clients)
- 12 Hours of Mat Pilates Sessions with Qualified Teacher Trainer (Private sessions or classes; Classes must be All Mat to qualify)
- 3 Hours of Assisted Teaching/Student Teaching (with Qualified Teacher Trainer)
- 2 Hours Mentorship with Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 1 Hour of Student Being Observed Teaching a Mat Pilates Class (by Qualified Teacher Trainer)
- Exams – 1 Hour Written Exam and 1 Hour Practical Exam
Mat Teacher Training Program Fees
- Initial application: $559
- Renewal Years 1&2: $300/year
- Year 3 Reaccreditation: $400
Reformer Teacher Training Program Standards
Program must be a minimum of 300 hours and include the following:
- 80 Hours of Lecture (must include the History of Pilates, Anatomy, Special Populations, Teaching/Cueing)
- 60 Hours of Observation (minimum of 40 hours must be live or live virtual)
- 60 Self Practice Hours (Mat and Reformer workouts alone or with another trainee)
- 40 Hours of Practice Teaching with the Student as the Instructor (minimum of 2 clients teaching Reformer classes)
- 40 Hours of Reformer Sessions with Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 10 Hours of Assisted Teaching/Student Teaching with Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 5 Hours of Mentorship with Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 5 Hours of Student being Observed Teaching Mat and Reformer by Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 3 Hours Written Exams
- 2 Hours of Practical Exams (exams should include intermediate and advanced exercises)
Reformer Teacher Training Program Fees
- Initial application: $759
- Renewal Years 1&2: $300/year
- Year 3 Reaccreditation: $600
Comprehensive Teacher Training Program Standards
Program must be a minimum of 450 hours and include the following:
- 120 Hours of Lecture (must include the History of Pilates, Anatomy, Special Populations, Teaching/Cueing, Reformer, Mat, Wunda Chair, Barrels – Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector—Cadillac/Tower, Magic Circle)
- 110 Hours of Observation (80 hours must be live or live virtual)
- 75 Self Practice Hours (all Apparatus alone or with another trainee)
- 50 Hours of Practice Teaching with Student as the Instructor (minimum of 2 clients teaching a combination of classes with All Apparatus)
- 50 Hours of Classes/Sessions using All Apparatus with Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 20 Hours of Assisted Teaching/Student Teaching with Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 15 Hours of the Student being Observed Teaching Comprehensive Pilates by a Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 5 Hours of Mentorship with Qualified Teacher Trainer
- 3 Hours Written Exam
- 3 Hours Practical Exams (exams should include intermediate and advanced exercises on all apparatus)
Comprehensive Teacher Training Program Fees
- Initial application: $959
- Renewal Years 1&2: $300/year
- Year 3 Reaccreditation: $800
Listing on PMA Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ITTAP a replacement of the PSAP program?
Yes. The ITTAP was developed with input from Pilates leaders, PMA board members and other professionals in the industry, who indicated that a simpler, more inclusive process was needed. The accreditation is aligned with the PMA’s goal to further professionalize the industry and support the continued education of Pilates for future generations of students.
What’s the difference between the ITTAP and the PSAP?
The ITTAP has been re-imagined to be more reflective of the industry and the way it views itself as a program, rather than a school. The program is more inclusive and now offers accreditation for three tiers (Mat, Reformer and Comprehensive), each with up to 10 educational standards so students can have the confidence that they are choosing a high-quality Pilates teacher training program. We have also streamlined the application process and made it more cost-effective.
I’m a current PSAP-approved school up for renewal soon. What do I need to do?
You do not need to renew your PSAP application as this program is being phased out. The new ITTAP program has replaced the PSAP program. You must complete the ITTAP application and pay the initial application fee by July 31, 2022.
I just recently received PSAP approval. Do I automatically receive the ITTAP?
If you received PSAP approval, you have met the requirements for ITTAP, but you will be required to submit an ITTAP application on the new platform. The previous PSAP platform is being phased out and all applications will be managed on the new platform. If you paid PSAP approval fees in 2021, you must complete the ITTAP application, but will not be required to pay fees. You will have until July 31, 2022 to complete the ITTAP application.
I just renewed my PSAP approval this year. Do I automatically receive the ITTAP?
ITTAP accreditation is not automatic for PSAP-approved programs. You will be required to complete an ITTAP application on the new platform. If you paid for PSAP renewal in 2021, you must complete the ITTAP application, but will not be required to pay fees. You will have until July 31, 2022 to complete the ITTAP application
Why did the PMA feel the need to change the program?
After speaking to those running Pilates educational programs, we wanted to create an accreditation process that more closely reflected the needs of the industry. The PSAP was designed to create standards and to regulate Pilates teacher training programs, but its requirements to achieve that end were cumbersome and difficult for the PMA to track and measure. It is our hope that more programs will now seek the ITTAP accreditation because it maintains the same high educational standards for excellence in Pilates teacher training programs, recognizes three tiers of Pilates training, and is lower in cost.
What is the benefit of accreditation?
Programs with the “ITTAP Approval Program” logo are demonstrating that they adhere to global PMA educational standards. This stamp of approval allows them to attract students who are seeking high-quality programs. In addition, applicants must be members of the PMA, the leading organization committed to advancing the Pilates profession through educational, business, and networking programming.
Students seeking training to become Pilates teachers will know they are selecting a quality program that meets the high educational standards.
The Pilates industry also benefits from the creation of standards of what a quality Pilates teacher training program should be, as well as a lower-cost process that recognizes the three major areas of Pilates training.
Where can I learn more?
For more information about the PMA’s ITTAP program, please contact us at info@pilatesmethodalliance.org