FAQ for professionals

There is no general principle of equivalence between qualifications obtained abroad and French qualifications.

However, ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) earned as part of cultural qualifications may be taken into account for further university study, just as ECTS credits earned as part of university qualifications may be taken into account for further study leading to national qualifications in the performing arts.

Furthermore, it is possible to have qualifications obtained abroad recognised by contacting the ENIC-NARIC France Centre – International Centre for Educational Studies (https://www.france-education-international.fr/expertises/enic-naric), which issues a certificate of comparability between qualifications obtained abroad and French qualifications.

No.

Regardless of where the dance class is held, the teacher must hold a teaching qualification (DE) in dance or an equivalent qualification recognised as such. This requirement is set out in Article L 362-1 of the Education.

No.

An ‘instructor-technician’ is a qualification awarded under the ECLAT collective agreement to arts teachers who do not organise programmes or examinations for progression from one level to the next, unlike ‘teachers’.

However, as they are responsible for teaching dance, they must therefore hold the DE qualification for dance teachers. This requirement is set out in Article L 362-1 of the Education Code.

The decree of 21 November 2024 amends the structure of the State Diploma and the organisation of its training programme.

The State Diploma for Dance Teachers is organised into:

• 5 blocks of cross-disciplinary skills (common to all Level 6 diplomas)
• 6 blocks of dance-specific skills

This structure will gradually replace the previous organisation based on teaching units. Training centres will define their own training programmes, in accordance with the certification and assessment framework for the course.

Cross-disciplinary competence blocks:

• Digital literacy
• Data analysis
• Written and oral expression and communication
• Professional positioning within a sector
• Acting responsibly within a professional organisation

Specific skill modules:

• Module 1: Mastering at least one dance technique in all its artistic dimensions to a professional standard
• Module 2: Applying choreographic and musical knowledge to teaching
• Module 3: Support pupils’ sensitive physical development and prevent risks associated with practising dance
• Module 4: Teach dance
• Module 5: Develop programmes for arts and cultural education and outreach
• Module 6: Reflect on one’s artistic and pedagogical practices and become familiar with a research-based approach

The study programmes are organised into semesters and skill modules. Ultimately, they are expected to span six semesters of study, but this structure and the number of teaching hours may vary depending on the centre and the programme structure implemented.
The training programmes enable students to acquire cross-disciplinary skill modules and specific modules 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 through continuous assessment (120 ECTS in total).
Module 4 is assessed through continuous assessment and a final assessment (60 ECTS in total).
Award of the state diploma is conditional upon passing the final examinations (subject to having previously obtained the ECTS credits associated with the various modules).

Professional dancers have access to two pathways for training:

• Dancers who meet the eligibility criteria for intermittent worker status (as dancers) are exempt from the EAT and are granted equivalencies for the cross-disciplinary competence modules and specific modules 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. They may enrol directly on the training programme for specific module 4 (Teaching Dance). Award of the DE is subject to passing the continuous assessment and the final DE examination.
• Dancers with at least three years’ professional experience with the Paris National Opera Ballet, the Ballets de la Réunion des Opéras de France, the National Choreographic Centres or European companies and ballets, whether from European Union member states or not, as listed in Annexes VI and VII of the decree of 21 November 2024, are automatically entitled to the State Diploma for Dance Teachers. To qualify, they must complete a 200-hour teaching training course.

Further information can be found in the CN D Practical Guide: State Diploma for Dance Teachers

No.

• To be authorised to teach, you must hold:
• The State Diploma for Dance Teachers
• Or a French or foreign qualification recognised as equivalent 
• Or an exemption granted on the grounds of particular renown or proven experience in the field of dance teaching.

This requirement is set out in Article L 362-1 of the Education Code

No.

Teaching a new specialism (classical, contemporary, jazz) is conditional upon passing, in that new specialism, the technical aptitude examination, a 50-minute trial lesson with pupils aged over 9, and a 15-minute interview, in accordance with Annex IV of the Order of 21 November 2024.

Yes, there is a recognition of prior learning scheme. You must provide evidence of skills acquired whilst carrying out dance teaching activities – whether as an employee, self-employed, on a voluntary basis or as a volunteer, on a continuous or non-continuous basis – that are directly related to the activities and skills defined in the reference framework set out in Annex II to the Order of 21 November 2024.

These teaching activities must have been carried out in the DE specialisation corresponding to that indicated by the candidate in the VAE application form.

To be taken into account, teaching activities in classical, contemporary or jazz dance, carried out in France for remuneration after 10 July 1989 – including under a title other than ‘dance teacher’ – must have been carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Code set out in the following articles:

• L. 362-1 (exemption from the DE or possession of a foreign qualification recognised as equivalent),
• L. 362-1-1 (recognition of professional qualifications),
• L. 362-3 (special status) Opens in a new window.
• or L. 362-4 (exemption on the basis of having taught classical, contemporary or jazz dance for at least three years prior to 10 July 1989). 

Consequently, leading classical, contemporary or jazz dance sessions as part of arts and cultural education programmes, or facilitating or supervising leisure activities involving dance, cannot be counted as teaching activities.

The total cumulative duration of activity required is at least 600 hours spread over a period of at least one year.

Yes.

This requirement is set out in Article L 362-1 of the Education Code. Teachers holding a DE or a certificate of competence (CA) are responsible for teaching in their specialism, in particular for delivering early learning and introductory activities.

The DE training record is valid for life.

Learning Units acquired prior to the publication of the decree of 21 November 2024 and recorded in the training record remain valid and will be taken into account in the training programme.

Three examination centres, designated by the Ministry of Culture, organise the examination:

• The Hauts-de-France Higher School of Music and Dance (ESMD) – Lille
• The Toulouse Higher Institute of the Arts (ISDAT) / Dance Department
• The Bordeaux-Nouvelle-Aquitaine Higher Centre for Music and Dance (PESMD)

More information on the Ministry of Culture’s website

In the CN D factsheet: State Diploma for dance teachers

On the Ministry of Culture’s website: culture.gouv.fr

The DE in dance teaching is listed in the National Register of Professional Qualifications (RNCP) at level 6 of the interministerial classification of qualification levels.

It corresponds to the end of the first cycle of higher education, i.e. a ‘bac +3’ (bachelor’s degree) level in France.

Successful completion of the qualification entails the acquisition of 180 European credits (ECTS).

In some cases, obtaining this qualification may be combined with the award of a bachelor’s degree.

Recognition of equivalence or an exemption from the State Diploma for Dance Teachers (DE) means authorisation to teach. However, it does not count as a qualification in its own right.

The State Diploma for Dance Teachers can only be obtained through training and by passing the examination.

Admission to the State Diploma course requires candidates to have previously passed the technical aptitude test (EAT), or to have been exempted from this test on the basis of their prior academic background.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old by 31 December of the current year.

The baccalaureate is not required to prepare for the State Diploma (unless specifically requested by the training centres).

Entry requirements vary considerably between training centres (please check their websites or contact them directly).

The recognition of prior learning and professional experience may take the form of an exemption from the technical aptitude test or the recognition of equivalence for one or more skill modules, thereby shortening the training pathway to the State Diploma.

These equivalences are listed in Annex IV of the Order of 21 November 2024.

Full exemptions and recognition of equivalence for the State Diploma are provided for in the following cases:

Exemption on the grounds of particular renown: the choreographic artist must be able to demonstrate this in several respects (high-level training in the relevant discipline, the reputation of the companies and venues where they have performed, etc.)

Exemption on the basis of proven experience in dance teaching: the applicant must demonstrate a solid training background and extensive, varied teaching experience (at least 5 years full-time).

Recognition of professional qualifications for nationals of an EU or EEA member state: at least 1 year’s professional experience is required

Recognition of equivalence to the State diploma for dance teachers for holders of another dance teaching qualification

Exemptions and equivalences must be applied for via an online form.

Further information is available on the Ministry of Culture’s website
 

Teaching classical, contemporary or jazz dance without a state-recognised qualification constitutes a criminal offence.

The following are punishable by a fine of €3,750 (Article L 462-5 of the Education Code):

• the head of an educational establishment entrusting the teaching of dance to a person who has not obtained a dance teacher’s qualification or its equivalent, or who has not been duly exempted from this qualification;
• any person providing dance tuition without having obtained the dance teacher’s diploma or its equivalent, or without having been duly exempted from this diploma.

The court may also order the closure of the establishment or prohibit the person from operating an establishment where dance tuition is provided, for a period not exceeding three years.

The centres authorised by the Ministry of Culture are listed on the Ministry’s website.

Three centres have been designated by the State to organise VAE sessions on a rotating basis:

• Hauts-de-France Higher School of Music and Dance – Lille (ESMD)
• Institut Supérieur des Arts de Toulouse (ISDAT)
• Pôle d’Enseignement Supérieur Musique et Danse Bordeaux-Aquitaine (PESMD).

The decision to open a VAE session is taken by the DGCA. There are currently no sessions scheduled.

The Technical Aptitude Examination serves to verify that the candidate possesses the technical and artistic abilities required to qualify for the DE training programme for dance teachers. Entry to the DE training programme is conditional upon passing this examination.

This examination is open to candidates aged 18 or over by 31 December of the current year.

The EAT is organised across three specialisms: classical, contemporary and jazz.

One examination session is held per calendar year. It comprises two stages: eligibility (CV, cover letter and video recording of a set variation) and admission (in person: set variation, original choreography, improvisation and interview).

Candidates may be exempted from the EAT on the basis of their educational background or previous professional experience. The following, in particular, are exempt from the EAT:

• candidates who hold a leaving certificate from conservatoires operating at departmental or regional level: DEC (Diplôme d’Études Chorégraphiques), DNOP (Diplôme National d’Orientation Professionnelle), DNED (Diplôme National d’Études en Danse), in the discipline in which they obtained their qualification;
• professional dancers who can demonstrate that they have worked sufficiently to be eligible for the specific unemployment insurance scheme for intermittent workers in the performing arts (Appendix 10 – choreographic artists), in their primary discipline.

Applications for exemption from the EAT must be submitted to the DRAC in the region of residence, via an online procedure on the Ministry’s website.