Become a Billiard Instructor with the Professional Billiard Instructor Association (PBIA)
The PBIA’s mission is to provide quality billiard instruction to individuals at all levels of proficiency, as well as offer training and certification programs for those wishing to become qualified billiard instructors.
PBIA Program Overview
The Instructor Training Program trains and certifies individuals to become professional quality billiard instructors. It also supports them in their business of providing instruction. The program recognizes the following four levels of instructor certification with requirements as described below.
PBIA Instructor Code of Conduct
This is the standard by which all PBIA instructors provide services to students and commit to continuous improvement.
- My primary obligation is to help my students improve their playing skills and gain a greater understanding of the game.
- My instruction techniques will incorporate effective, positive teaching techniques.
- I will maintain high professional standards in all aspects of instruction.
- To ensure that instructional behavior is not misunderstood, situations that require some physical guidance properly position a student’s body will be preceded by a full explanation and a request for permission.
- I will continuously strive to advance my instructional skills training materials. I will contribute to the development and success of the PBIA.
The PBIA recognizes four levels of instructors:
- RECOGNIZED Instructor (Level 1)
- CERTIFIED Instructor (Level 2)
- ADVANCED Instructor (Level 3)
- MASTER Instructor (Level 4)
RECOGNIZED Instructor Level Training (Entry)
This level verifies that an individual possesses a basic knowledge of the sport, its rules and basic training skills. Recognized Instructors typically work with novice and beginner level amateur players. A novice player is just learning the sport and has little or no experience or understanding of the fundamentals. A beginner player refers to the social player who plays for fun with friends or in a social league but who does not have a meaningful grasp of the fundamentals of the sport.
RECOGNIZED Requirements
The Recognized level instructor candidate must satisfy several prerequisites for which the instructor trainer may require testing. These include:
- Sufficient playing ability to demonstrate techniques and skills to students
- Knowledge of the World Standardized Rules
- General knowledge about how to play the game including stance, position play, and strategy
The candidate must successfully complete a course taught by an Advanced or Master Instructor. The course will require the candidate to
- Demonstrate a good grasp of the curriculum set out below
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively teach subject matter in a structured and organized format
- Demonstrate knowledge of the World Standardized Rules (WPA)
- Understand the Instructor’s Code of Conduct
- Use video analysis as an aid for practice and improvement
- Submit to the PBIA the Recognized Instructor application form and fee
RECOGNIZED Curriculum
The Recognized level curriculum will include the following topics. The candidate is expected to be able to discuss and demonstrate each one, using handouts, technology, and teaching tools where appropriate.
- Working knowledge of the equipment used in the sport. This should include a basic understanding of the construction, selection and maintenance of cue sticks, pool tables, cloth, chalk, racks and the mechanical bridge.
- The Pendulum Stroke model
- Open and closed bridge
- Rail and extended rail bridge
- Use of the mechanical bridge
- Grip placement, configuration and firmness
- Stance
- Practice strokes
- The vision center and how to find it
- Set-Pause-Freeze
- Pre shot routine
- Aiming systems (This should include a basic grasp of multiple aiming systems and an in-depth knowledge of at least one system.)
- The use of top, bottom and center cue ball hits on the vertical axis for position play
- The uses and effects of sidespin
- 30-degree rule and tangent line
- Speed control
- The PBIA code of ethics
- PBIA administration policies, including those for student feedback forms
Recognized Fees
There is a one-time Recognized Instructor Application fee of $100 which includes annual dues. This is to be submitted with the Application form.
Annual dues are $35.
CERTIFIED Instructor Level Training
Certified Instructors have worked to enhance their knowledge, teaching methods, and curriculum. They can teach most levels of amateur players including players who are active in local leagues and tournaments and have a good grasp of fundamentals. A Certified Instructor can identify basic flaws in mechanics and help the student fix those flaws. He/she can also offer paths for improvement in the areas of position play and game strategy.
CERTIFIED Requirements
Prior to the Certified Instructor training course the candidate must be a Recognized Instructor in good standing and have logged a minimum of 80 hours of student instruction through the PBIA Lesson Tracking System and two years as a Recognized Instructor. Please note that a course teaching 10 students at the same time for 4 hours is recorded as 4 hours and not 40 hours by logging each of the 10 students each four hours. That one course will be listed as a four hour course and have 10 students names in the notes. 80 hours are actual hours the instructor has taught, regardless of the number of students attending the courses. While teaching multiple students in a group setting you are allowed to (x2) those hours. There are no (x3-4-5-10) for large groups, only (x2) maximum.
The candidate must successfully complete a course taught by an Advanced or Master Instructor. The course will require the candidate to
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively teach subject matter in a structured and organized format
- Be able to create a course of instruction that includes the curriculum topics listed below as well as all of the Recognized level topics
- Demonstrate proficiency in using a video camera as an instruction tool
- Have a working knowledge of technology, social media and alternate platforms of instruction.
CERTIFIED Curriculum
The Certified level curriculum will include the following topics. The candidate is expected to be able to discuss and demonstrate each one, using handouts, technology, and teaching tools where appropriate.
- Several stroke models
- Correction of flaws in stroke mechanics, stance, and ball approach
- Specialty bridges
- The specialty strokes and mechanics for jump shots, massés and break shots
- Strategies for a variety of games
- Creation of custom training programs for students
- Design and development of individualized drills and practice routines for a student
- The advanced use of side spin
- Multiple aiming systems in depth
- Bank and kick systems
- Advanced pattern play, position play and speed control techniques
CERTIFIED Fees
There is a one-time Certified Instructor Advancement fee of $100. This is to be submitted with the Application form. This also covers the difference in dues to the end of the year.
Annual dues are $50.
ADVANCED Instructor Level Training
This level is for instructors who want to become more serious about advancing their career as a professional billiard instructor. Advanced Instructors are able to certify Recognized Instructors and upgrade instructors to the Certified and Advanced levels. The Advanced level instructor is qualified to teach all level of players.
ADVANCED Requirements
The Advanced Instructor candidate must:
- Be a Certified Instructor in good standing and have logged a minimum of 400 hours of student instruction through the PBIA Lesson Tracking System and three years as a Certified Instructor. Please note that a course teaching 10 students at the same time for 4 hours is recorded as 4 hours and not 40 hours by logging each of the 10 students each four hours. That one course will be listed as a four hour course and have 10 students names in the notes. 400 hours are actual hours the instructor has taught, regardless of the number of students attending the courses. While teaching multiple students in a group setting you are allowed to (x2) those hours. There are no (x3-4-5-10) for large groups, only (x2) maximum.
- Assist in teaching at least two Instructor Training Courses (at least one with a Master Instructor)
- Successfully complete an Advanced Level training course taught by an Advanced or Master Instructor
The Advanced Level training course will require the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
- Playing ability sufficient for advanced instruction
- All skills and knowledge expected of Certified Instructors
- Use of a video camera as an instruction tool
- Teaching advanced strategies and techniques
- Recognizing and correcting skill deficiencies in intermediate and advanced players
- Use of technology, social media and progressive teaching techniques
- Training instructors
The Advanced candidate will provide two PBIA Confirmation of Ability Forms of which one must be from a PBIA Master Instructor. The PBIA Instructor Committee will evaluate each Advanced upgrade application and accompanying documents to confirm the Candidate’s certification and upgrade.
ADVANCED Fees
There is a one-time Advanced Instructor Advancement fee of $100. This is to be submitted with the Application form. This also covers the difference in dues to the end of the year.
Advanced Annual dues are $100.
MASTER Instructor Level Training
This level is for all professional billiard instructors wishing to make teaching the game of billiards their full-time occupation.
Master Instructors certify and upgrade all instructor levels.
MASTER Requirements
The Master Instructor candidate must:
- Be an Advanced Instructor in good standing
- Logged a minimum of 400 hours of student instruction through the PBIA Lesson Tracking System. Please note that a course teaching 10 students at the same time for 4 hours is recorded as 4 hours and not 40 hours by logging each of the 10 students each four hours. That one course will be listed as a four hour course and have 10 students names in the notes. 400 hours are actual hours the instructor has taught, regardless of the number of students attending the courses. While teaching multiple students in a group setting you are allowed to (x2) those hours. There are no (x3-4-5-10) for large groups, only (x2) maximum.
- Be evaluated and recommended for advancement by at least two PBIA Master Instructors
- Successfully complete an instructor training course given by a PBIA Master Instructor
The Master Instructor Trainer will certify that the candidate can:
- Teach advanced strategies and techniques
- Recognize and correct skill deficiencies in intermediate and advanced players
- Formulate effective student evaluations
- Develop, prepare, and demonstrate the use of teaching aids including video recording and other technologies
In addition, the Master candidate must have experience in additional billiard activities such as:
- Working as a Certified Referee, League Official, or Tournament Director
- Serving on billiard industry committees
- Participating in instructional workshops
- Developing training products or techniques
- Writing instructional articles or books
- Certifying or upgrading at least 5 PBIA Instructors
The PBIA Instructor Committee will review the upgrade application and accompanying documents to confirm the candidate’s certification at the Master level.
MASTER Ongoing Requirements
Master Instructors are expected to inspire, educate, and upgrade all levels of instructors, as well as continue to participate in the additional billiard activities listed above.
MASTER Fees
There is a one-time Master Instructor Advancement fee of $100. This is to be submitted with the Application form and supporting documents. This also covers the difference in dues to the end of the year.
Master Annual dues are $200.
Questions? Please direct all PBIA Instructor Program correspondence to:
Professional Billiard Instructors Association
C/O Billiard Congress of America
303.243.5070 ext.23