Exercise and Movement Education Accreditation

 MDT Education Solutions

The Community Exercise for People with Parkinson Disease course provides fitness leaders with the tools and evidence-based guidelines to apply and modify many different types of exercises to meet the specific needs of people with PD.

Duration: 1.5 days (12 hours) 
Total Contact Hours: ACE - 1.2 CEC

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Movement-Revolution

The Neuro Exercise Specialist training program provides a comprehensive skill set to address the diverse needs, goals, and symptoms of those with Parkinson’s through personalized, one-on-one exercise training. This course is geared to help professionals implement the Neuro Intensive Exercise methods alongside Movement Revolution.

Duration: 30 days (150 hours) of hands-on training
Total Contact Hours: Self-reported to all major CE providers

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Parkinson's Pointe

This Build Your Parkinson’s Success Box is a CE course that will provide you with a framework for implementing current evidence on exercise in Parkinson’s with a focus on practical application through examples of modifications and progressions regardless of your discipline.

Duration: 6 hours virtual or in-person
Total Contact Hours: .6

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PWR!Moves®

The PWR!Moves curriculum integrates PD-specific functional skill training into a multi-modal exercise program (flexibility, strength, balance, agility, aerobics). Learn to use the PWR!Moves to develop personalized therapy and exercise plans adaptable for people with PD of any disease severity.

Duration: 2-day live virtual (Saturday to Sunday)
Total Contact Hours: ACSM - 15 CEC, ACE - 1.4 CEC, NSCA - 1.6 CEC, NCSF - 7 CEC

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Rock Steady Boxing

Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) Head Coach Training prepares participants to run an RSB Affiliate gym in their local community. This training provides the knowledge and skills needed to deliver a multi-modal exercise program that includes non-contact boxing training adapted for people with PD in a group format.

Duration: 11 hours asynchronous online, followed by 2 days of in-person training
Total Contact Hours: ACE - 24.2 CEC 

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Dance for PD®

The Dance for PD® Training Program equips teaching artists and movement professionals with the knowledge and tools to lead safe, creative, and engaging dance classes for people living with Parkinson’s. Combining in-depth online coursework with experiential learning, the program emphasizes artistic integrity, community engagement, inclusivity, and evidence-informed best practices.

Duration: 10 hours asynchronous online, followed by 20 hours in-person or hybrid training (includes teaching practicum and required online assessment)
Total Contact Hours: 30

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The Parkinson’s Foundation Accreditation Recognition Program for Exercise & Movement Education Providers aims to acknowledge Parkinson’s-specific Exercise and Movement Education Programs and Continuing Education Courses (“Education Providers”) that:

1. Provide instruction and training to participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies associated with intended learning outcomes.

2. Evaluate participants’ acquisition of the intended learning outcomes by showing some demonstration of learning.

Education Providers are defined as one of the following:

Parkinson’s Foundation Accredited Exercise Education Provider
Providers who create curricula for individuals who are specifically qualified (i.e., recognized credential) to design and implement safe and effective exercise programs, which may include personal training, group fitness instruction, or small-group training. 

Parkinson’s Foundation Accredited Movement Education Provider
Providers who create curricula for individuals who are specifically qualified (i.e., recognized experience, training, and/or proficiency) to use embodied movement to support physical health, creative expression, and holistic well-being. The field encompasses a broad spectrum of disciplines — including (but not limited to) dance, yoga, Pilates, somatic education, Tai Chi, and movement therapy — that integrate knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, technique/form, and expressive practice.

Education Providers may identify as one of the following:

Program: A comprehensive curriculum that provides and assesses knowledge and skill acquisition, allowing participants to receive a title (i.e., certified, specialist, trainer, coach, etc.) upon completion. Participants are assessed on an ongoing basis to maintain their title. Programs can also fulfill a continuing education requirement for an NCAA-accredited exercise/movement professional. The type of modality may differ among programs (for example, group fitness, one-on-one training, yoga, dance, aquatics, Pilates, etc.).

Course: A curriculum that aligns with most of the criteria set forth by the Parkinson’s Foundation. Courses provide in-depth knowledge related to a particular criterion. These courses may fulfill a continuing education requirement for an exercise/movement professional, but attendees do not receive a certification or title upon completion. The type of modality may differ among courses (i.e., group fitness, one-on-one training, yoga, dance, aquatics, Pilates, etc.).

If the Education Provider accepts participants with varied backgrounds, they should ensure that their curriculum helps all participants to achieve that outcome.

As an Education Provider, identify whether your goal is to educate professionals to be competent to work with:

• An individual with PD (for example, one-on-one training)

• A group of individuals with PD

• Both: Individuals and groups of individuals with PD

Each Education Provider is unique and has their own style and brand. While some Education Providers offer certificates in how to complete a branded, community-based exercise or movement protocol, others serve as a CE provider for exercise and movement professionals and/or licensed healthcare providers. In addition, the educational background and training of the participants who are eligible to participate in each Education Provider’s program or CE course can differ greatly within the exercise and movement professional domain.

Program/Course Participants: Individuals who are participating in an education program/course that provides the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities (KSAs) necessary to create a safe and effective exercise/movement experience for people with Parkinson’s. The following categories outline the types of professionals who may seek these learning opportunities:

• Exercise Professionals: Professionals who are specifically qualified (i.e., recognized credential) to design and implement safe and effective exercise programs, which may include personal training, group fitness instruction, or small-group training. Exercise professionals typically work with individuals who are apparently healthy or have medical clearance to exercise, and their area of expertise (group versus one-on-one) is often defined by their professional training and credentials.

• Movement Professionals: Professionals who are specifically qualified (i.e., recognized experience, training, and/or proficiency) to use embodied movement to support physical health, creative expression, and holistic well-being. The field encompasses a broad spectrum of disciplines — such as dance, yoga, Pilates, somatic education, Tai Chi, and movement therapy — that integrate knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, technique/form, and expressive practice. Movement professionals work in diverse settings, including studios, schools, community programs, healthcare facilities, and the performing arts, guiding individuals and groups through practices that enhance kinetic and somatic awareness, conditioning, coordination, skill, and creativity.

  *All exercise and movement professionals are expected to acquire and maintain valid CPR certification.

The following descriptions of exercise professionals outline the various roles and associated training.

Exercise Professionals:

Exercise Professional Certifications without Degree Requirements

Certified Personal Trainer: Exercise professionals that hold a current personal trainer certification from a program accredited by a third-party accreditor of certification programs (NCCA, ISO/IEC 17024) and have demonstrated professional competence to design and implement exercise programs in one-on-one and small group settings with individuals who are apparently healthy or have medical clearance to exercise.  To maintain their certification, personal trainers must complete a certain amount of continuing education courses every few years.

Certified Group Fitness/Exercise Instructor: Exercise professionals that hold a current group fitness/exercise instructor certification from a program accredited by a third-party accreditor of certification programs (NCCA, ISO/IEC 17024) and have demonstrated professional competence to design group fitness classes and teach, lead, and motivate groups of individuals who are apparently healthy or have medical clearance to exercise through intentionally designed exercise classes.  To maintain their certification, group fitness/exercise instructors must complete a certain amount of continuing education courses every few years.

Exercise Professional Certifications with Degree Requirements

• Certified Strength Coach/Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach: Exercise professionals that hold a current certification as a strength coach, or strength and conditioning coach, from a program accredited by a third-party accreditor of certification programs (NCCA, ISO/IEC 17024) and have demonstrated professional competence to design and implement exercise programs for athletes with the specific goal of improving athletic performance. Strength coach certifications typically require a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a related field. To maintain their certification, strength coaches must complete a certain amount of continuing education courses every few years.

• Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist/Certified Medical Exercise Specialist: Exercise professionals that hold a current certification as a clinical exercise physiologist or medical exercise specialist from a program accredited by a third-party accreditor of certification programs (NCCA, ISO/IEC 17024) and have demonstrated professional competence to design and implement exercise prescriptions and basic fitness-related health behavior change strategies for individuals who have chronic diseases or conditions, and for individuals who are at risk for, or recovering following, medical treatment and rehabilitation from a variety of cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and musculoskeletal diseases and disorders. These advanced certifications require a bachelor’s degree or higher in exercise science or a related field and minimum requirements (500 to 1,200 hours) for specified hours of practice. To maintain their certification, clinical exercise physiologists and medical exercise specialists must complete a certain amount of continuing education courses every few years.

Healthcare Professionals:

• Physical Therapist: Licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities. They aim to optimize movement and quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and education. They are required to hold a license in the state in which they practice, which requires them to have successfully completed a degree program (currently an entry-level doctorate), a licensure exam, and in most states, a certain amount of continuing education (CE) courses every few years. There are optional board certifications, such as a neurologic physical therapy clinical specialty, but none are specific to PD. They may participate in treatment-specific courses on particular exercise approaches for people with Parkinson’s.

• Other Health Professionals: Other health professionals who have an interest in exercise for people with Parkinson’s may want to participate in exercise educational programs or courses. These may include physicians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, nurses, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. In addition, health professional students or other exercise science students may also participate in exercise educational programs or courses. Programs or courses that accept the responsibility of training these professionals should ensure they meet the same competency requirements of those with backgrounds.

Movement Professionals:

Professionals who may not have a certification as a personal trainer, group fitness, or exercise instructor, but have demonstrated competence within their discipline, (non-traditional and culturally specific) or have acquired certification or specialized training from a credentialed organization or educational institution.

Movement professionals can specialize in diverse fields, including (but not limited to):

• Dance & Creative Movement (e.g., dance educators, choreographers, somatic movement artists)
• Yoga & Mindful Movement (e.g., yoga teachers, Qigong, meditation/mind–body practitioners)
• Martial Arts (e.g., karate, Tai Chi)
• Pilates & Functional Training (e.g., Pilates instructors, movement rehabilitation specialists)
• Somatic Practices (e.g., Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Body-Mind Centering)
• Movement Therapy (e.g., dance/movement therapists, expressive arts therapists)

Each area emphasizes different aspects — artistry, anatomy, somatics, mindfulness, therapeutic process — but all share a foundation in embodied learning and movement awareness.

There are many types of exercise and movement professionals, each with their own requirements to obtain and maintain certification and/or proficiency. It is incumbent on the Education Provider to know the differences between the professionals, and it is the responsibility of the Education Provider to create an objective and inclusive program to ensure optimal outcomes.

It is free to apply for accreditation. A selection committee comprised of subject matter experts, peers, and Parkinson’s Foundation staff reviews applications based on four criteria:

1. Design of the program/course

2. Curriculum

3. Instructional strategies or delivery methods

4. Assessment and skill verification

The criteria for the Accreditation Recognition Program for Exercise & Movement Education Providers are based on the inclusion of five domains of competencies:

1. Parkinson’s Disease: Foundational Information on the Diagnosis, Treatment, and the Role of Exercise or Movement

2. Screening for People with Parkinson’s Disease to Participate in Exercise or Movement

3. Group/Individual Exercise or Movement Design for People with Parkinson’s Disease

4. Leadership for People with Parkinson’s Disease: Human Behavior and Counseling

5. Interprofessional Communication and Program Development

Depending on the program or course, not all competencies may meet 100% alignment. Education Providers will have an opportunity to list the domains (in full or in part) that were included or excluded in their curriculum.

You will need to create a log-in to access the Accredited Education Provider Application. Applications are open until January 2, 2026.

APPLY NOW

Parkinson’s Foundation accreditations are valid for three years.

• Featured on the Parkinson’s Foundation website, with over 8 million views a year, providers will be listed as a Parkinson’s Foundation  Accredited Exercise or Movement Education Provider.

• Ongoing Collaborative Support: Accredited Education Providers are invited to biannual meetings to share best practices, challenges, and ideas to guide and inspire each other.

• Access to Parkinson’s Foundation resources and bulk ordering.

• Special Promotional Materials: Promote your accreditation with the Parkinson’s Foundation Accreditation Badge and Certificate of Accreditation.

• Boost your recognition locally. Be our first-choice provider to lead movement breaks at local Parkinson’s Foundation Community Education Programs. Accredited providers are eligible for an in-kind table or to receive a 10% discount on sponsorship opportunities at Programs.

• Amplify your impact. Be one of our go-to providers and energize the day while helping Moving Day participants stay active during the event.  In addition, receive a 10% discount on your chosen sponsorship level and consider forming a team to further enhance our collective efforts in improving the lives of people with PD.

As a Parkinson’s Foundation Accredited Education Provider, you are required to meet the following expectations for the duration of your three-year term:

• Complete an online check-in report once per year.

• Attend biannual virtual meetings with the other Accredited Education Providers. Dates will be selected at the beginning of each year.

• Distribute the Parkinson’s Foundation Accreditation Learner Survey (via link) to all participants prior to completion of the program/course.

  • The Parkinson’s Foundation will send a 3-month follow-up survey to all participants to measure reach, confidence, and impact.

• Use the Parkinson’s Foundation Accreditation Badge in virtual and printed materials, including national and international presentations, to support accreditation recognition.

• Adhere to the Criteria for Exercise or Movement Education Programs & Courses and Competency Framework for Exercise or Movement Professionals.

• Utilize Parkinson’s Foundation resources as part of your curricula.

• Headline one month of Fitness Fridays virtual exercise events, which includes four Fridays within one month of the three-year term. Three sessions will be pre-recorded, and one will be live.

• Review and sign the Terms and Conditions agreement upon accreditation acceptance.

Application Opens: November 19, 2025
Application Closes: January 2, 2026
Education Providers Notified of Acceptance by: April 24, 2026
Parkinson’s Foundation Announcement by May 8, 2026
Dates subject to change.

Term: April 2026 – March 2029

The application is based on alignment of curriculum to the Parkinson’s Foundation Criteria for Exercise or Movement Education Curriculum.

Be prepared to provide evidence as to which criteria your curriculum adheres to. Your program or CE course should be transparent as to which of the criteria is/are covered in the curricula. It is not mandatory to align with each criterion to become a Parkinson’s Foundation Accredited Education Provider, but professionals should be aware of the depth and breadth of the education prior to enrolling in your program/CE course. Identify what the professional will gain at the end of the program/CE course (for example: a certificate of completion, CE credits, certification).

Estimated Time: 45 minutes (not including time to prepare documents)
You can SAVE and CONTINUE the application at any time.

You will need to create an account in the application portal using an email address and password.
Be prepared to provide the following:

1. General Information

   1. Name of Education Provider

   2. Name of Education Program or CE Course

   3. Program/ CE Course Designation

   4. Contact Information

   5. Logo

   6. Program/Course Description

2. Details About Your Learners and Logistics

   1. Type of Professionals Targeted/Accepted

   2. Synchronous/Asynchronous/Hybrid/In-person/Online

   3. CEUs Offered

   4. Frequency of Program

   5. Cost

   6. Program/Course Benefit: If learners receive a certification, how long is their certification in good standing? How do they renew?

3. Evidence to Meet Accreditation Criteria

   1. For each of the accreditation criteria, you will be asked to provide a narrative and upload documentation (such as an agenda, PPTs, faculty list, quiz) to show how your curriculum complies with each criterion.

   2. We recognize that not every program/course will cover all five criteria listed below. Shorter programs/courses may choose to emphasize 1-2 criteria only. However, all programs/courses should acknowledge to their learners that there are five criteria and only 1-2 are being covered by that program’s/course’s content. (In other words, be clear that it is not a full comprehensive program/course if less than 5 criteria are covered and share what information they should seek to learn elsewhere).

      In your application, identify how your program/course meets the following criteria:

      1. Parkinson’s Disease: Foundational Information on the Diagnosis, Treatment, and the Role of Exercise or Movement

      2. Screening for People with Parkinson’s Disease to Participate in Exercise or Movement

      3. Group/Individual Exercise or Movement Design for People with Parkinson’s Disease

      4. Leadership for People with Parkinson’s Disease: Human Behavior and Counseling

      5. Interprofessional Communication and Program Development
          

4. Instructional strategies or delivery methods: Describe how your curriculum effectively transfers knowledge and skill to participants in a program/course.
5. Assessment or skill verification: Describe your assessment or skill verification process.