Frequently Asked Questions

Our live training events are conducted all over the U.S., in Mexico and New Zealand, and are based on demand.  We offer Live Group Certification Trainings as well as offering Live Private Certification.  We are also offering virtual group certification trainings via Google Meet or Zoom. Click here to see our current schedule  If you are interested in a Live Training but do not see one that you would be able to attend, please contact us and let us know what city you live in as well as any cities you would be willing to travel to. As soon as there is enough interest in your area, one of our Master Trainers will come out to conduct a training! If you are close to a location or traveling to a location in which one of our Master Trainers resides, you can also contact them directly to find out their plans for a group training or to inquire about a private training.

We offer our various methods for our certification trainings so you can choose the method that is best for YOU!

Live (Brass) Trainings:

We offer both in-person and virtual (Zoom) live trainings.

Group Certification: We can set these training and certification courses up for your studio or you can join one that is already scheduled on the PFA calendar!

Check our calendar or contact your nearest Master Trainer for a heads up on upcoming trainings in your area.

Private Certification: Our Master Trainers are happy to do a private training and certification. Find your nearest Master Trainer here.

Online (Stainless) Trainings:

Training and certification is done via our revolutionary online system!  You are paired with a Master Trainer who oversees your progress throughout the course to ensure you are on the right track and understanding the material.  Throughout the course, you will submit assignments and videos to your Master Trainer for feedback and assessment. You will need access to a static pole and must be able to film and upload your videos for assessment. Your Master Trainer is with you every step of the way!

No-Guidance (Chrome) Trainings:

Are you already a seasoned instructor?  Or are you someone who would prefer a combination of live and online? With our Hybrid Certification Trainings, you can study the material on your own before having a live session with your Master Trainer. It's up to you how much you want to do on your own and how much you want to do live.  This can save you time and money if you don't need guidance or give you the best of both worlds if you do! 

The first Pole Fitness Alliance (also known as PoleMoves) certification course was created in 2008.  The original creator of the trainings, Rebekah Hennes has also been certified as a personal trainer, group trainer and nutritionist for decades which gave her tremendous insight into creating a comprehensive pole instructor certification course.  The PFA trainings were the first pole certification course approved by the American Council on Exercise. The PFA was also the first to represent pole fitness at the American Council on Exercise Summit (in 2012) and was instrumental in getting pole dancing added to the list of acceptable continuing education courses by the American Council on Exercise. Not only are we approved by ACE, we are also approved by NASM, AFAA, SINEFYD, CEDPRO and Entrenador Pro. Our trainings have been refined and tweaked for over a fifteen years to create what we believe is the most comprehensive pole certification course available anywhere.

We understand that everyone is unique which is why we offer a variety of formats for our training courses. In addition to offering live group certification courses, we began offering online and virtual certification years before COVID-19 made it a necessity.  We have had the time to ensure that there were no sacrifices made with our online trainings. And, in fact, our students really enjoy taking their time with the course without losing the guidance of their Master Trainers who are with them one on one, every step of the way throughout the course.

Whether you wish to train with us live, online or a mixture of both, we provide you with comprehensive courses that provide you with all the knowledge you need to teach amazing classes!  And once you pass your certification, we give you access to the PFA library of instructor tools - bonus moves, class plans, choreography and more! At the PFA, our goal is your success!

American Council on Exercise (ACE)

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

SINEFYD

CEDPRO
Entrenador Pro

You must successfully complete Level 1 before beginning Level 2 and you must successfully complete Level 2 before beginning Level 3. Current Instructor Members can register in the Instructor Tools in the My Membership section of the PFA website.

If you are not a current instructor member or you can't find the link, you can click here for the Level 2 Certification information and registration. NOTE: If you have not passed your Level 1 Certification prior to purchasing the Level 2 Certification, your course will be cancelled and your payment refunded.

We offer refunds within the first three days of purchase, provided that a Master Trainer has not been assigned and no assignments have been submitted. Once a Master Trainer is selected and coursework has begun, we are unable to process refunds.

Our goal is to ensure you have a valuable learning experience. If you have any concerns, please reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to assist you in making the most of your certification journey.

Courses Purchased After March 15, 2025:

• Chrome: You have 12 months from purchase to complete your exams.

• Stainless: You have 6 months of trainer access once you select your trainer, but you can study the materials for up to eighteen months before choosing your trainer.

• Brass: Live training is scheduled within a structured timeframe, and exams are completed during the live training.

Courses Purchased Prior to March 15, 2025: For the online courses, you have up to 12 months from the purchase date to complete your certification course, but the vast majority of students finish in under four months (and some within a single month). We allow an excess of time to finish the course to allow for life events and minor illnesses. If you have an injury, illness or pregnancy that will keep you off the pole for more than three weeks, you may submit a doctor's note to "freeze" your course until you are able to resume your coursework. 

If you are injured during your course timeframe, you may submit a doctor's note to [email protected] to "freeze" your course until you are able to resume your coursework. Please do so as soon as you are injured, as retroactive "freezes" are not permitted.  Otherwise, if you are unable to complete the course within the required timeframe, you will be able to select an extension or upgrade in order to complete the course.

If you would like to receive your Level 1 Certification, we strongly suggest that you are comfortable with basic spins and climbs before beginning the course as you are limited to one year to complete the course.  If you are unsure about your level, we recommend that you begin with PFA Premium to familiarize yourself with the Level 1 materials and moves.  After passing the Level 1 Certification you will be given access to the Level 2 registration links.  Pre-requisites include a basic inversion, shoulder dismounts, figure 4 layback, inverted pike and a basic butterfly. 

You will have to demonstrate proficiency with basic spins and climbs to pass the certification, so if you have not poled or are not comfortable with basic spins and basic climbs, we recommend starting with the PFA Premium Membership to familiarize yourself with everything that will be required for your certification.  

We currently offer Level 1 and 2 as fully online certification courses.  Due to the higher level of moves and spotting requirements for Level 3, the Level 3 course is being offered as a "partial online" meaning that you could complete the majority of the course online, but would have to complete your spotting assessment live with one of our Master Trainers, which should take about 30 - 60 minutes. 

Level 2 Pre-requisites:Basic requirements to take the Level 2 Online Training and Certification course include: 

PFA (or PoleMoves) Level 1 Certification  

Access to a static pole that will support spins, climbs, and inverted moves

A video camera or smartphone with a video camera

Ability to upload videos to a sharable location such as YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.

With Level 2, we begin teaching inverted (and therefore higher risk) moves. As this training is being done remotely, we must require the following prerequisites in order to participate in this course. If you do not already have a solid ability to perform the following moves, you MUST have access to a local instructor who can spot you and work with you while you perfect them: 

Basic Inversion  

Shoulder Dismount

Figure 4 Layback

Inverted Pike

Butterfly

In addition, you will be practicing spotting these and other Level 2 moves. To complete the assignments, you must also have a volunteer to practice with who is already competently able to do these moves. We do not condone learning and practicing spotting techniques on someone who does not already know how to perform these moves as it poses too great a risk to both the trainee and the volunteer.