Professional Development (PDPs)

Professional Development - PDP Accrual

The accrual of PDPs is an important process for any professional, particularly in an industry that is constantly developing, evolving and applying new research and ideas. PDPs are evidence of the currency of your education and provide the PAA with a basis for maintaining your currency of membership and health fund requirements.

Evidence of PDPs

Members are required to accrue the following number of PDPs over each two-year period:

• Pilates Practitioner and Studio Instructor members – 20 points
• Group Instructor (Mat/Reformer) members – 15 points
• Students/Associate members – not required

Evidence of ongoing PDP accrual is required each year with your membership renewal.

A minimum of 5 PDPs are required in any one-year period, ensuring continuing education is spread evenly throughout the two-year membership period and currency of knowledge is maintained.

50% or more PDPs must be accrued from Pilates specific courses, which focus on Pilates content, skills and competencies.

50% or more PDPs must be accrued from face to face courses. (Temporarily waived)

Professional development workshops or courses must reflect learning that is of a higher standard than industry entry-level certification.

Approved Pilates programs and Workshops

Approved Pilates programs are those which have been submitted to the PAA for assessment by the organiser and registered for points. They must include Pilates specific content, skills and competencies that directly enhance a certified Pilates instructor’s professional development. Programs must reflect learning that is beyond industry entry-level certification.

These programs will attract 1 PDP per hour and all programs must incorporate an assessment component.

• The presenter must be minimum PAA Trainer Level 1, or international presenters must be an Elder, a recognised second generation Pilates professional or a Pilates Teacher Trainer with recognised international training program with minimum 5 years experience to receive full points.
• All programs require an assessment of program outcomes to be included in the presentation prior to PDPs being awarded. For example, participants need to complete a questionnaire based on the program content, participate in a verbal quiz or practical assessment.
• Must be a Pilates-based program presenting repertoire, skills and information beyond industry entry-level certification.
• Each hour of full contact and assessment = 1PDP.
• A maximum of 15 PDPs may be awarded for any one program.

Non-Pilates programs and Workshops

Non-Pilates programs include an extension of learning beyond certification level in anatomy, physiology, pathology and business development. It is not Pilates content, but is related to and will enhance the education of the certified Pilates instructor.

Non-Pilates programs and workshops may account for up to 50% of your PDP requirement.

All courses:

• must be delivered by an acknowledged ‘expert’, or suitably qualified and respected individual in their field or profession. You are required to supply a presenter biography.
• The full PDP amount stated on your certificate from non-approved sources may not be approved by the PAA. You are required to supply a full course outline for assessment of course content.
• Complementary movement based techniques are not eligible for PDPs.

Anatomy, physiology, pathology will attract 1 PDP per hour.

Business development will attract 0.5 PDP per hour.

Ways PAA members may accrue PDPs

• Attend PAA approved Pilates specific professional development programs with a maximum of 15 PDPs awarded for any one event. 
• Attend professional development programs delivered by PAA registered training organisations. Please refer to Workshops
• Attend formal workout sessions with PAA Principal members, where a maximum of 4 PDPs may be awarded per 2 year period (maximum 6 for Remote & Regional).
• Write and have published a research article for an industry-specific publication. A maximum of 6 PDPs may be awarded.
• Deliver a Pilates professional development program. A maximum of 4 PDPs may be awarded.
• Online Pilates specific workshops – PAA approved.
• Attend non-Pilates programs in Advanced pathology, anatomy extension, physiology. PDPs are allocated at 1 per hour.
• Attend business development programs. PDPs are allocated at 0.5 per hour.
• Attend non-approved Pilates specific educational programs. PDPs for these programs are allocated a maximum of 50% and a full course outline, presenter CV/bio and evidence that the content is beyond entry-level certification is required.

Ways for PAA members to accrue PDPs is also listed in the PDP Accrual Table.

Professional Development - Remote and Regional Members

Remote and regional members only:

• Members may undertake additional distance or remote learning tasks and programs administered by PAA registered training organisations.
• Additional points may be accrued for Pilates sessions with PAA Education Body faculty members or PAA Principal members.
• A maximum of 6 PDPs per professional development period may be awarded.

Members living in the following states are considered remote:

• NT
• WA
• ACT
• SA
• TAS

Members living over 100km from the following cities are considered regional:

• Brisbane
• Sydney
• Melbourne

Maternity leave - Pro rata PDP accrual

Maternity leave – Extension to PDP due date:

The PAA provides members taking maternity leave the opportunity to extend their PDP period for up to 12 months, either pre or post-natal.

Members must apply in writing to the Committee before their maternity leave begins. Please email requests to: info@pilates.org.au

 

Extenuating circumstances – Extension to PDP due date:

Extensions to PDP due dates may be considered in extenuating circumstances (eg. illness). However, on approval of an extension the next two year PDP period will be shortened by the equivalent amount, to maintain PDP and membership renewal date alignment.

Applications for extension must be made in writing to the Committee prior to your PDP due date: Please email requests to: info@pilates.org.au