Pilates Mat Certification – 7 Things to Know Before You Start

If you are thinking about a Pilates Mat certification, you probably have the same questions most buyers have:

• What will it qualify me to teach?
• Which style should I learn?
• Can I study online?
• How does the exam work?
• What will it cost in total?

This guide answers each one with PCO’s own facts, so you can decide before you enroll.

PCO grew from the teacher-certification program of Performing Arts Physical Therapy (PAPT) / The Pilates Studio® of Los Angeles. In 1992 PAPT established the world’s first professional, medically vetted Authentic/Classical Pilates teacher certification program. In 2010, PCO launched the world’s first professional online Pilates teacher certification program, bringing that Classical curriculum online. The courses are by Dr. Melinda Bryan, PT, DPT, and PCO has trained thousands of instructors in 75+ countries.

1. What a Mat certification prepares you to teach

The Mat is where the Pilates method begins. A Mat certification prepares you to teach the classical Mat exercises:

• to individual clients;
• to group classes.

It needs no equipment, so it suits:

• a first certification;
• teachers who work in gyms, community spaces or online;
• anyone who plans to add the apparatus later.

Apparatus such as the Reformer, Cadillac, Chairs and Barrels are separate courses. See all PCO courses.

2. Classical or Contemporary: know which one you are buying

Programs teach either:

• Classical (Authentic) Pilates: the original exercises and their original order;
• Contemporary Pilates: the exercises adapted or reordered.

Both exist, and buyers should know which one a program teaches before paying. PCO teaches the authentic Classical method.

Read Authentic vs Contemporary Pilates for the differences.

3. What is in the PCO Complete Mat Program

The Complete Mat Program teaches the full classical Mat repertoire in three progressive levels:

1. Basic.
2. Intermediate.
3. Advanced.

How it works:

• Lessons: self-paced online video.
• Quizzes: each level ends with an online quiz.
• Attempts: you may take each online end-of-level quiz up to three times at no additional charge. These quizzes are separate from the $195 final video exam.
• Certificate: when you pass the online levels, you receive a Course Completion Certificate.

4. How full certification works

The Course Completion Certificate is the first step. Full PCO certification is a separate step for those who want it:

1. Complete the online course and receive the Course Completion Certificate.
2. Serve an apprenticeship. As a Pilates Apprentice, log your supervised teaching and practice hours. For Mat, the apprenticeship is 100 hours.
3. Submit the final video exam. The exam fee is $195. If a resubmission is needed, it is also $195.

There is no renewal fee once you are certified.

You can also take the course only for the education and the Course Completion Certificate. See how our Pilates programs work.

5. Can you really learn Pilates Mat online?

Yes. PCO’s courses are online and self-paced, so you can study at any hour from anywhere.

The manuals are available as eBooks from $19.99. They follow the same curriculum, so you can read along with the lessons. See the training manuals.

6. What it costs in total

PCO prices are one-time purchases in US dollars. There is no monthly plan.

For a full breakdown, read Pilates certification cost.

7. What comes after Mat

Many students continue from Mat to the apparatus:

• Complete Reformer Program: $649.99. The usual next step.
• Complete Pilates Program: $1,899.99. Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chairs and Barrels in one program.
• Bridge Program: for experienced teachers who already have Pilates training.

Not sure which program fits? Read how to choose a Pilates certification program.

Frequently asked questions

Start with the Mat

Learn more about PCO’s history: the first medically vetted Pilates certification, 1992.