American Association of Irish Dancers & Teachers (AAIDT)

Instructors’ License & Certifications

This information for the Licensed Instructor of Irish Dancing certification assumes you have already secured membership, are familiar with the most current Feis Rules & Regulations (subject to change regularly), have access to the Member Forum and have introduced yourself there. If you haven't already, now is the time to read the most current AAIDT Beginning Irish Dance Notation Manual (PDF). Begin to familiarize yourself with the notation system as soon as possible.

Checklist & Communication

  1. Review the Practical Skills Checklist to determine what dance and skills you may already know. This helps you and your mentor decide how best to proceed with your training and/or evaluation. Only check off dances with which you are confident and which meet the skill requirements as indicated on the required skills form.
  2. Send the completed Checklist to your mentor (the person who welcomed you upon becoming a member) and begin to prepare a video demonstration of the dances which you already know. Once your mentor has reviewed your checklist he/she may request that you attend a local workshop or review additional training materials. If further training is needed, a special course of study will be devised to help you complete your training efficiently.
  3. Stay in touch with your fellow members via the member forum. It is preferred that you communicate with your mentor through the forum so that other students can benefit from your questions and the answers provided by your mentor.

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The Licensing Process

There are three ways in which candidates may qualify for License. For most candidates, qualification will involve a combination of the following;

Formal Training

AAIDT provides a formal course of study toward instructor licensing. This course is offered through Delaware County Community College, and via distance mentoring directly through AAIDT. To begin formal training a candidate must become an AAIDT member, be assigned a mentor and complete the Practical Skills Checklist to reflect any previous training or experience.

Evaluation

Candidates with considerable experience may demonstrate their skills either in person or by video media. Credit may be granted toward license requirements 1–3 (below).

Documentation

Candidates who possess TCRG/ADCRG status with CLRG may be granted full credit toward the Practical Skills requirements for license. Those candidates must also comply with requirements 4–8 (see Requirements for Licensing, below). Candidates who have passed any single CLRG exam element may be granted credit for its equivalency upon documentation.

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Requirements for Licensing

Teacher licensing involves the competition of a comprehensive qualification program. To become licensed, instructors must complete the following:

  1. Demonstrate requested skills as outlined in the Practical Skills Checklist.
  2. Demonstrate a general knowledge of Céilí Rules & Theory.
  3. Demonstrate a general understanding of Music Theory & Tune Identification.
  4. Demonstrate a general knowledge of AAIDT Dance Notation.
  5. Demonstrate a general understanding of Factual Irish Dance History.
  6. Complete Professional Development 101.
  7. Complete your AAIDT insurance application, medical certifications and background clearances.
  8. Sign the Licensed Instructor Agreement.

1.   Practical Skills Checklist

Candidates will be asked to provide a sampling of the following dances, either in-person at a workshop or through video. Contact your mentor for current video requirements. Two steps are required of each dance, not including sets. Non-traditional sets are required to have a full step/lead and half set.

  1. Advanced Beginner. Three steps each—reel, light jig, slip jig, & single jig
  2. Novice. Two steps each—Reel, Slip Jig, Fast Treble Jig & Hornpipe
  3. Prizewinner. Two Steps Each—Reel, Slip Jig, Slow Treble Jig & Hornpipe.
  4. Preliminary. Two Steps each—Reel, Slip Jig, Slow Treble Jig & Hornpipe.
  5. Championship. The Candidate will be required to demonstrate two selected dances (one Hard and one Soft) from the following choices—reel, slip jig, hornpipe, treble jig. Two steps each.
  6. Three (3) Contemporary/Non-Traditional Sets—From the list of 38. View our list of Traditional and Contemporary/Non-Traditional Set Dances.
  7. Three (3) Traditional Sets—From the list of 8.
  8. Preliminary and/or Champion Treble Reel. Two steps each.

2.   Ceili Rules & Theory

Demonstrate general rules of Ceili including conventions, hand holds and figure formats. More information will be provided.

3.   Music Theory & Tune Identification

Identify 10 of 38 Contemporary/Non-Traditional Set dance tunes. Identify all 8 traditional set dance tunes. Identify time signatures of a variety of tunes/dances.

4.   AAIDT Dance Notation

Demonstrate a useful knowledge of basic AAIDT dance notation. Translate long-hand terms to short-hand notation. Notate a dance step from verbal directions.

5.   Factual Irish Dance History

Demonstrate a general understanding of actual Irish dance history, which may differ from common misconceptions. Describe the lineage of the various dancing organizations and the order in which they were formed. Describe the lineage of step and ceili dancing and their roots in other styles of dancing.

6.   Professional Development 101

Demonstrate appropriate teaching strategies and attitudes, problem solving, identify and correct technique, address students appropriately, liability awareness and incident prevention.

7.   Insurance Application, Medical Certifications & Background Clearances

  1. Insurance Application. Licensed instructors must be covered by the AAIDT liability insurance policy. Membership dues cover the individual member only. Their students must also be listed and insured as individuals.
  2. Medical certifications in CPR/AED/First Aid. You must provide valid documentation of current First Aid, CPR and AED certification from a recognized agency. This training is available through AAIDT at many workshops and by special arrangement.
  3. Preventing & Treating Dance Injuries. (Prerequisite: CPR/AED/First Aid Certification.) This training program helps insure that AAIDT instructors develop safe practices for dance and know how to properly treat a dance injury. This training is mandatory per our insurance policy.
  4. Background Clearances. Candidates must furnish AAIDT with Federal criminal and child background clearances before receiving their official Licensed Instructor Candidancy. Documentation must be updated annually, so if a year passes between Declaration of Intent and Licensing, you must resubmit your clearances before you will be awarded.

8.   License Agreement

Licensed instructors are required to be the face of AAIDT to their students and community, as well as complete at least one Continuing Education module per year (see below).

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Continuing Education

In addition to meeting general qualifications all licensed teachers must complete one Continuing Education module per year. These currently include: How to Host an AAIDT Event; Feis Volunteer Training; Traditional Set Workshops; and special interest workshops such as Sean Nos, Set and Ceili Dancing, and Pointe Training with Certification. Adjudicator Training also applies towards Continuing Education.

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