The International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA) accepts certain qualifications from other organisations as equivalent to its own teaching qualifications for membership applications. This process is part of the IDTA’s recognition of prior learning.
IDTA Qualifications for which equivalents are accepted
External qualifications are deemed equivalent to the following IDTA qualifications:
• IDTA Associate
• IDTA Licentiate
• IDTA Fellowship
• IDTA Diploma (for some non-core genres)
Qualifications from UK organisations
1. Regulated Qualifications: A number of other organisations offer qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 4 and above, as this is the benchmark for a qualified dance teacher within the sector. Below are examples of the qualifications that we can accept. Please note that qualifications at lower levels cannot be accepted.
◦ Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
▪ Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education
◦ Graded Qualifications Alliance (GQAL)
▪ Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management
▪ Level 4 Certificate in Dance Teaching
◦ bbo dance
▪ Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching
◦ RSL Awards
▪ Level 4 Diploma in Dance Teaching
◦ National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD)
▪ Level 4 Diploma in Dance Teaching
◦ Trinity College London (TCL)
▪ Level 6 Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning
2. Non-Regulated Qualifications: A number of UK organisations offer non-regulated qualifications, such as “Associate,” which denote qualified teacher status. Please ensure that there is confirmation of your status as a dance teacher – this can include current membership cards or qualification certificates.
◦ Royal Academy of Dance
◦ UKAdance
◦ British Association of Teachers of Dancing
◦ Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance
◦ Associated Board of Dance
◦ Northern Counties Dance Teachers Association
◦ Spanish Dance Society
◦ United Teachers of Dance
◦ Association of American Dancing
◦ The Association of Dance and Freestyle Professional
◦ British Cheerleading Association
◦ Russian Ballet Society
◦ Professional Teachers of Dancing
◦ Midland Independent Dance Arts Association
Qualifications from International organisations
We can accept equivalent qualifications from international organisations. Examples of those organisations are below. Please ensure that the qualification confirms competence in dance teaching.
• Italian Associaione Nazionale Maestri di Ballo
• Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association
• Finnish Dance Organisation
• International Dancing Masters Association
• New Zealand Dance Company
• Romanian Dance Sport Federation
Other organisations: Independent companies offering specific training, such as Acrotrix (acrobatic teacher training) and American Dance Academy, can also be considered
Conditions for Membership Transfer:
The IDTA has three branches covering the core genre as follows;
- Theatre Branch – Ballet, Tap, Theatre Craft, Contemporary Modern Jazz
- Ballroom Branch – Ballroom, Latin, Classical Sequence
- Freestyle Branch – Freestyle
There are also a number of non-core genres: Line Dancing, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Cheerleading, Street Dance, Salsa, Argentine Tango, Belly Dancing, Dance Exercise, Gymnastic Dance/Acrobatic Dance, Musical Theatre
Membership offered in a core genre means that the holder can enter candidates for any genre within the branch, or in any non-core genre.
Membership offered in non-core genre means that the holder can only enter candidates for examinations in that genre.