Which qualification do you need to teach Pilates in France? Requirements, professional card and certifications

To teach Pilates for payment in France, you need a qualification recognised by the French Sports Code, and you must then register to obtain a professional sports instructor card. A Pilates certification (listed in the specific register or from a private training provider) comes on top of that qualification. This guide explains the rule, the qualifications concerned, the professional card and what an employer must check. It covers French rules only: if you teach in the UK, Ireland or another European country, check the requirements that apply there.

The rule: teaching for payment requires a Sports Code qualification

Anyone who teaches, leads, supervises or coaches a physical or sports activity for payment must hold a diploma, a professional title or a certificate of qualification. This requirement is set by Article L. 212-1 of the Sports Code, as noted in the Ministry of Sport fact sheet “Regulations applicable to sports instructors”. It applies whether you are employed or self-employed, and whether you work for an association, a company or a public body.

What Article L. 212-1 covers

The deciding factor is payment. According to the ministry, a paid instructor must also declare their activity, whether it is their main or secondary occupation, and whether it is regular, seasonal or occasional. The diplomas, titles and certificates that give the right to the professional card are listed in Annex II-1 of Article A. 212-1 of the Sports Code, together with their conditions of practice. These conditions determine which activities a given qualification allows you to teach.

Penalties, including for the employer

Working without the required qualification, or without having declared your activity, is punishable by one year’s imprisonment and a €15,000 fine. The same penalty applies to an employer who allows an unqualified person to work in their facility (Article L. 212-8 of the Sports Code, according to the ministry fact sheet). The prefect can also order the activity to stop (Article L. 212-13).

Volunteers

Volunteer instructors are not subject to the qualification requirement, except for certain high-risk activities listed by the ministry (parachuting, scuba diving). They are still subject to the good-character requirement (Article L. 212-9) and do not receive a professional card. As soon as payment is involved, the general rule applies.

Qualifications that allow you to teach

The route most often mentioned for group classes is the BPJEPS, a level 4 state diploma. Its structure changed in 2025, so check the exact title of the diploma you hold or are working towards.

BPJEPS fitness activities: old and new versions

The BPJEPS in fitness activities, group classes option mentions “concept classes (Les Mills, Pilates, Zumba…)” in its description. It has been replaced by the BPJEPS in physical and sports fitness activities (RNCP41752), in force since 11 September 2025. The fact sheet for this new diploma does not name Pilates. It does, however, cover a “wellbeing” area focusing on flexibility and motor coordination, in large groups, small groups and one-to-one coaching, and states that it meets the qualification requirement of Article L. 212-1.

Other routes

Other diplomas, titles and certificates are listed in Annex II-1. Their conditions of practice vary. Before enrolling on a course or recruiting, ask the departmental youth, engagement and sports service (SDJES) whether the qualification concerned covers teaching Pilates in your context (group classes, private sessions, on machines).

Pilates certifications listed in the specific register

Several Pilates certifications are registered in the France Compétences specific register. All require an existing qualification for entry. Their scope differs: mat only, or apparatus included.

RS7335 “Teaching the Pilates method”

The RS7335 certification is held by the Federation of Pilates Method Teachers and is registered until 27 October 2028. Entry requirements: being 18 or over, having at least 50 hours of practice in the method, and holding a certification from Annex II-1 (fitness or conditioning activities), a state dance diploma, or being a physiotherapist holding a sports instructor card. It includes supervising specific Pilates apparatus and adjusting its springs and straps for each client.

RS7619, RS7497 and RS7080: different scopes

• RS7619 “Teaching Pilates”: for physical activity professionals adding Pilates to their offer. Entry requirements: 18 or over, a certification from Annex II-1, a state dance diploma, or being a physiotherapist. The fact sheet does not state whether apparatus is included.
• RS7497 “Teaching Pilates”: mat work and small equipment. Apparatus (reformer, Cadillac…) is not covered. Open to holders of a certification from Annex II-1, state-qualified physiotherapists and midwives, with at least 20 hours of personal practice.
• RS7080 “Integrating Pilates into physiotherapy”: reserved for physiotherapists registered with the Order. The method is described as practised on the mat; apparatus is not covered by the certification.

If you teach on the reformer, check that the certification you choose explicitly covers apparatus.

What about international private training?

Private training courses, whether French or international, develop your technique and give you a teaching method. On their own, however, they are not a Sports Code qualification and must be combined with a qualification from Annex II-1.

The professional card: declaration and renewal every 5 years

Before working for payment, instructors must declare their activity. The declaration is made online on the sports instructor declaration portal, or by post with form cerfa no. 12699*03. Once they have checked the qualification, good character and a medical certificate of fitness, the authorities issue the professional card.

• Renewal: every 5 years if the paid activity continues, through a new declaration (Ministry of Sport).
• QR code: each card carries a QR code linking to the instructor’s up-to-date qualifications.
• Paid trainees: they also declare their activity and receive a trainee certificate.

What the employer must check and display

A studio, gym or hotel where Pilates is taught must check the professional card of every paid instructor. The QR code gives access to their current qualifications. According to the ministry fact sheet on sports and physical activity facilities, the facility must clearly display:

• a copy of the diplomas and professional card of everyone who teaches for payment;
• trainee certificates;
• the texts setting out health and safety guarantees;
• the liability insurance certificate.

The operator must also have an emergency procedures notice, a means of calling the emergency services and a first aid kit. These points are covered in our guide on how to open a Pilates studio.

Teaching on machines: learning the settings and preparing the room

On the reformer, part of the job happens before the class starts: adjusting the springs, straps and footbar, checking wear parts and managing movement between stations. Get trained on the type of machine you will be using. To understand the role of each piece of apparatus, read our article reformer, Cadillac, chair and barrel, then our criteria for choosing a professional reformer.

Launching your classes or your studio? Take a look at our trade offer and plan your equipment with a personalised quote, with volume pricing from 2 pieces of equipment.

Frequently asked questions