Your Aerial Instruction Certificate

For a comprehensive breakdown on our Certificate Program

download our CERTIFICATE INFO PACK


Choose between our Teacher Training Course as a stand-alone option OR choose the FULL CERTIFICATE track. You will be given both options during the registration process.

This comprehensive certificate program is designed to elevate the standard of teaching practices in our industry. Trainees are required to log observation and assistant teaching hours and pass an assessment to show that they are applying the concepts learned in the live training.

It’s important to note that at this time, there is no official regulating body in the aerial arts / circus industry in the U.S. or in the UK (where Paper Doll Militia is based). So there are smaller organizations who are tackling the large job of creating and organizing standards. Paper Doll Militia’s certificate program is often recognized by both studio owners and their insurance companies as it shows ongoing commitment and accountability to safe and quality aerial instruction.


Full Certificates are Awarded Per Level / Per Apparatus

Certificate Requirements (75 hours)

  1. 50 hours – Successful completion of Paper Doll Militia Teacher Training with skills assessment
  2. 10 hours – Aerial Class Observation
  3. 10 hours -Teaching Practice (minimum 4 lead teaching hours)
  4. 2 hours -Teaching Assessment of Full Class (Lead Teaching)* – 2 (60 min) classes
  5. 3 hours – Written reflections and evaluations

*Participants will receive feedback on their first Full Class, and will be asked to apply the feedback on the second full class (lead teaching).

200 Hour Certification

Once you have completed both Level 1 (75 hours)  & Level 2 (75 hours)  of any ONE apparatus, you will be eligible to continue on to our 200 Hour Certificate Program. The final 50 hours are focused on individualized specialties and areas of focus.  You will work with your PDM mentor in order to customize the final module of this certificate program. Focus areas could include (but are not limited to) integration of creative movement, dance, or theatre; specialization in a unique skill set, advanced spotting techniques or line pulling, mentorship in professional development.  

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