Frequently Asked Questions

IBBFA (International Ballet Barre Fitness Association) is the premier credentialing authority for barre fitness instruction, founded in 2008. Unlike branded training methods, IBBFA is a standards body that issues professional credentials verified through a public registry. IBBFA credentials are recognized for continuing education credits by ACE, NASM, AFAA, PMA, ISSA, CanFitPro, and REPS.

IBBFA offers five credential tiers: CBI — Certified Barre Instructor ($599), Specialty Certifications ($347–397), Board-Certified Principal Instructor ($1,497), Master Instructor ($2,997), and Fellow (invitation only). Each level builds on the last. Full details on the credentials page.

CBI certification is $599 with 12-month access. Specialty certifications are $347–397 each. The Principal Track is $1,497 and includes all four specialty modules — significantly more cost-effective than purchasing specialties individually ($1,438+ standalone value). All credential holders pay a $99/year registry maintenance fee after their initial access period.

The CBI program has no formal prerequisites — it's the entry-level credential designed for aspiring barre instructors. The program covers anatomy, barre technique, class design, cueing, safety, and scope-of-practice training. You complete the curriculum and pass the certification examination to earn the credential.

The Board-Certified Principal Instructor Track ($1,497) is IBBFA's flagship advanced credential. It's designed for CBI holders with at least one year of professional instruction experience. The track includes all four specialty modules, a Board Preparation session, and a comprehensive Board Review examination with a Master Instructor. It's ideal for instructors seeking lead instructor roles, program director positions, or recognition of advanced expertise.

IBBFA is a credentialing authority and standards body — not a branded training method. Key differentiators include multiple credential levels (not a single certificate), a public verification registry, scope-of-practice training in every credential, Board Review examinations for advanced credentials, annual maintenance requirements modeled after ACE and NASM, and recognition by seven major CEC providers.

Yes — and this is a core differentiator. Every IBBFA credential includes scope-of-practice training covering professional boundaries, contraindication recognition, exercise modifications, and referral protocols. Instructors learn when to modify, when to adapt, and when to refer a client to a healthcare professional. See our certification standards for details.

IBBFA offers four specialty certifications: Prenatal Barre ($347) for prenatal and postnatal populations, Stretch & Tone ($347) for seniors and low-impact settings, Cardio Barre ($347) for high-energy cardio formats, and Advanced Barre ($397) for complex choreography and progressions. All four are included in the Principal Track.

All IBBFA credential holders maintain Active status through a $99/year registry maintenance fee after their initial access period. This maintains your "Active" status in the verification registry, continued curriculum access, and visibility in the instructor directory. Non-payment results in "Lapsed" status — reactivate at any time by paying the current-year fee with no penalty.

Yes. IBBFA credentials are recognized for continuing education credits by ACE (American Council on Exercise), NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), AFAA (Athletics and Fitness Association of America), PMA (Pilates Method Alliance), ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association), CanFitPro (Canadian Fitness Professionals), and REPS (Register of Exercise Professionals).

Use the free credential verification tool at ibbfa.org/verify. Search by instructor name or Registry ID to confirm credential level, active status, specialties, and expiration date. It's free, instant, and requires no account.

For general group barre classes, CBI (Certified Barre Instructor) is the baseline professional credential. For specialty formats like prenatal barre, require the corresponding specialty designation. For lead instructor or program director roles, consider the Principal Instructor designation. Full breakdown on our employers page.

Active means the instructor's credential is current and they've paid their annual $99 registry maintenance fee. Lapsed means the fee is overdue — the credential still exists but isn't being maintained. We recommend requiring Active status for hiring.

Yes. The IBBFA instructor directory is searchable by location, credential level, and specialty. You can also contact IBBFA for recruitment support — see our employers page for details.

IBBFA studio accreditation is a formal designation for facilities that require IBBFA certification for all barre instructors on staff. Accredited studios receive the Approved Studio badge, directory listing, and group enrollment pricing. See full details on the studios page.

No. Any studio can hire IBBFA-certified instructors and verify their credentials for free. Accreditation is an optional designation for studios that want to formalize their commitment to IBBFA standards across their entire team.

Yes. IBBFA offers group enrollment pricing for studios certifying multiple instructors through BarreCertification.com. Contact us for group pricing details.

Contact us at info@ibbfa.org or 1-888-215-0101 with your Registry ID and the information you'd like to update. We can update your name, location, contact information, and other profile details.

Pay the current-year $99 registry maintenance fee. There's no penalty, re-examination, or additional requirements for reactivation. Your status will return to "Active" in the verification registry and your profile will reappear in the directory. Contact us to process reactivation.

Contact us with your Registry ID. We can issue a replacement certificate for credential holders with Active status. In the meantime, employers can verify your credential instantly at ibbfa.org/verify.

Email info@ibbfa.org, call 1-888-215-0101, or use the contact form. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm Mountain Time.