Principal Instructor Track

Yes. The Principal Track includes the full CBI certification. You'll start with the 35-hour foundational curriculum, sit the CBI exam, then progress through your specialties and Board Review — CBI is built in, no separate purchase required. New students who go straight to Principal save $1,299 vs. purchasing each component individually and receive 3 years of Active directory status instead of 2.

$897. You receive full $599 credit for your CBI. The upgrade unlocks all four specialty modules, Board Preparation, and your Board Review — 24 months of course access from upgrade date. Note: the upgrade path retains your existing 2-year Active directory status from CBI. The 3-year Active directory status is exclusive to direct Principal enrollment — one of several reasons going straight to Principal is the better value ($1,297 direct vs. $1,496 total via upgrade).

Direct Principal enrollment at $1,297 saves you $199 compared to the CBI-then-upgrade path ($599 + $897 = $1,496). You also receive 3 years of Active directory status instead of 2 — an additional $99 value. Combined, that's $298 in benefits for choosing Principal from the start. The only reason to start with CBI alone is if you're testing the waters before committing to the full track.

You must complete a minimum of 2 of 4 specialties before your Board Review. All four are included in your tuition and most candidates complete all of them — it strengthens your Board Review performance and makes you a more versatile instructor. Each specialty also adds depth to your teaching repertoire regardless of the Principal requirement.

It's a live one-on-one video conference with an IBBFA Master Instructor. You'll be evaluated on advanced teaching competency, specialty knowledge, cueing precision, and your ability to handle complex class scenarios. A Board Preparation session is included to help you prepare. The review is rigorous but designed to be passed by well-prepared candidates — it's what gives the Principal credential its professional weight.

Yes. Active Principal Instructors automatically qualify their studio for IBBFA Approved Studio designation — a $199/year value included free and portable with your credential. That means wherever you teach, your studio earns the designation. Studios with a Master Instructor on staff — or where all barre instructors hold active IBBFA credentials — qualify for the higher IBBFA Certified Studio designation ($299/year value, also free). Both include a studio directory listing and marketing badges. Designation is earned through credentials, never purchased. Full details at ibbfa.org/studios/ →

Yes. The Principal Track is available as a single payment of $1,297 or 4 monthly payments of $349. Course access and all features begin immediately on enrollment regardless of which payment option you choose. The upgrade path ($897) is available as a single payment only — contact us if you need a payment arrangement for the upgrade.

Most candidates complete the Principal Track in 3–6 months. You have 24 months of course access. New students begin with the CBI curriculum (4–8 weeks self-paced), then work through specialties and the Board Review. CBI graduates who upgrade can often complete in 2–4 months. The experience requirement (1 year of instruction) can be completed concurrently with your coursework.

The next level is Master Instructor ($2,997) — IBBFA's highest earned credential. Masters complete all four specialties, a teaching practicum, and the Master examination. They serve as authorized Board Examiners for Principal candidates. View all credential levels at ibbfa.org/credentials/ →

The CBI portion of Principal includes a 14-day satisfaction guarantee, available until you complete more than 25% of the curriculum or 14 days pass, whichever comes first, consistent with our refund policy. Specialty and Board Review components are non-refundable once accessed. Contact info@ibbfa.org with questions.