Certification or Licensing
“With the explosion of dance, it is more important than ever to establish high teaching and ethical standards and to distinguish qualified teachers based on training, certification, and experience,” according to the National Dance Council of America. Several associations offer voluntary certification programs. For example, National Dance Teachers of America (NDTA) offers examinations for professional teacher certification at the bronze, silver, and/or gold levels in the following styles of dance:
- American Smooth: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Peabody
- American Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, Bolero, East Coast Swing, Mambo
- International Standard: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep
- International Latin: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive
- Americana: Samba, Merengue, Salsa, Hustle, West Coast Swing
Additional certification programs are available through the following organizations (which include NDTA) of the National Dance Council: Arthur Murray International, Dance Teachers Club of Boston, Dance Vision International Dancers Association, Fred Astaire Dance of North America, North American Dance Teachers Association, Pan American Teachers of Dancing, U.S. Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and U.S. Terpsichore Association.
Public school teachers must be licensed under regulations established by the department of education of the state in which they teach. Dance studio owners may need to have a business license. Contact your city and/or state's department of business regulation for more information on obtaining a license.
Other Requirements
Some employers may require instructors to undergo a background check and a drug test and have CPR and first aid certifications.