Do I Need A Certificate To Teach Pole Dancing?

by Fe Jack
(Texas)

Do I "NEED" to obtain a certificate to open up my very own pole fitness studio?

Susan from PDFF says...

Great question Fe! It's one I get a lot actually. So I'll give you the quick version here, and then point you to a few other Q&A pages on which I've answered similar questions in more detail.

The short answer is "no." There is nothing illegal about opening a pole fitness studio and teaching classes if you don't have a recognized teaching certificate or credential.

There are however, arguments for obtaining a certification of some kind. These include:

• increasing your own knowledge and skill in both pole dancing and in teaching
  
• increasing your credibility in the eyes of your students
  
• ensuring you understand not only how to teach, but how to use teaching methods that are safe
  
• access to affordable insurance that comes with many (but not all) certifications

On the other hand, there are those who feel that taking a course doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll be a good teacher. Conversely, some folks feel that it's possible to be an exceptional teacher without taking a course.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what route you'd like to go. Here are links to a few other pages where I've addressed this question in more detail. Hopefully they'll get you thinking and help you decide what's best for your situation.

This person had a similar question to yours, and I offered a few suggestions on the different aspects of certification that a potential instructor might want to consider.

I also answered this question from a reader who wanted to know which is the best course to take in order to be able to teach. I did a bit of research and came up with a few suggestions that you might find helpful as well.

Whatever you decide, I wish you much success with your new studio!