Become a Zumba® Instructor

The first step is to attend a Zumba® Basic 1, Jump Start Gold™ or Jump Start Kids & Kids Jr.™ Instructor Training. For your convenience we offer the Zumba® Basic 1 Instructor Training in 3 different formats: Livestream, In Person and On demand. For Jump Start Gold™ and Jump Start Kids + Kids Jr.™ Instructor Trainings, we offer an In Person and a Livestream format. There are no prerequisites to becoming a Zumba® Instructor, although a fitness or dance background is always a plus. Anyone 18 years or older (ages 15-17 with parental consent) may take a Zumba® Instructor Training.2

The duration of the training depends on the format you choose. Both In Person and Livestream Zumba® Basic 1 Instructor Trainings are done in one-day* (about 9 hours). The Zumba® Basic 1 On Demand Instructor Training is online and includes 10 hours of premium content broken up into 16 modules that you can complete at your own pace.

*Exception: Basic 1 Instructor Trainings are 2-days in India, Srilanka, and Nepal. Jumpstart Trainings are 2-days in Germany.

Similar to most fitness certifications, the Zumba® license is good for a limited time and must be renewed so that Zumba® instructors are equipped with the most up to date teaching methods, choreography and best practices. The Zumba® license is good for 6 months. Joining the Zumba® Instructor Network will keep you license active as long as you are a member in good standing because you will always be up to date on the latest music, choreography and more!

Zumba® instructors can teach in person classes at any type of location, these include fitness facilities, dance studios, community centers, parks, etc. Instructors can also teach virtual classes both livestream and on demand through pre-approved platforms.

No. You don’t need a fitness or dance background to become a Zumba® Instructor. What you do need is a passion for movement, music, and motivating others to have fun while getting fit. Zumba is all about making fitness accessible and joyful — that means instructors come from all walks of life.

When you take a Zumba Instructor Training, you'll learn the basics of how to lead a class, break down choreography, and cue your students — all designed to help you succeed, even if you're new to teaching. Many of our most beloved instructors started as students who simply fell in love with Zumba and decided to take the leap!

You’re in charge of how you earn. Once you're a licensed Zumba Instructor, Zumba is your own business and you can charge students directly when you run independent in-person or virtual classes, or you can work and get paid by gyms, studios, community centers etc.

You set your own schedule and rates, and you can get paid in different ways — a flat fee from a facility, or direct payments from students if you're teaching on your own.

No formal test is required to receive your Zumba® Instructor license. Once you complete the training, you’ll be licensed to teach.

That said, the training is designed to equip you with the core skills and knowledge needed to lead safe, effective, and fun classes. After training, you’ll have unlimited access to your training materials and instructor tools, so you can review, practice, and continue building your confidence at your own pace.

Your Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN™) Membership is not included with your in-person or livestream training, but you’ll have the opportunity to join at any point—before, during, or after you’re licensed. While optional, most new instructors choose to join ZIN because it provides everything you need to succeed: ongoing license to teach, fresh choreography and music, marketing tools, ongoing education, and a global support network. It’s also the best tool to continue practicing after your Zumba Instructor Training so you can start teaching more confidently and quickly.

If you choose to enroll in the on-demand format of Zumba Instructor Training, your ZIN™ Membership is conveniently included and integrated into the on-demand training experience.

When you’re ready to sign up, you’ll be able to filter training options by location to find in-person classes near you — or choose a virtual training if that works better for your schedule.

To get started, just click “Register Now” and follow the prompts. You’ll see a full list of upcoming trainings, with filters for format, date, and location.

Teaching Zumba® can absolutely support your health and fitness goals. Many instructors find that leading regular classes helps them stay active, build stamina, and maintain a consistent workout routine.

It’s also a fun, uplifting way to share your passion for movement with others — and that energy can be incredibly motivating for both you and your students. Whether you're looking to maintain your current fitness level or work toward new goals, teaching Zumba can be a powerful part of a healthy lifestyle.

Once you complete your Zumba® Instructor Training, you’ll receive your license and can begin teaching whenever you feel ready. Some instructors jump right in, while others take time to practice, build confidence, and prepare their music and routines — the pace is entirely up to you.

Zumba Instructors are considered independent contractors, which means you have the freedom to set your own schedule, rates, and terms, and to teach at the facilities or locations of your choice.

Yes, we’ve partnered with the top global certifying organizations to provide you with credits. Some examples of the credits you can receive are - CEC/CEUs: AFAA 8, ACE 0.7, CIMSPA 8, CANFITPRO 4, AEA 4, REPS NZ 5, AUSACTIVE 5, NCTRC 0.85

The Zumba® Basic 1 Instructor Training (also known as Zumba® Instructor Training) prepares you with the foundation and formula to teach Zumba® classes. With your Zumba® Instructor Training, you'll get everything you need to salsa into instructor success. You will learn the basic rhythms, how to use the Zumba® formula to identify different parts of a song and apply the basic steps to build effective Zumba classes, and you’ll practice with a Zumba Education Specialist to gain confidence to teach sooner. Once you complete your training, you will receive your license and can start teaching wherever and whenever you'd like!

On the day of the in-person or livestream Instructor Training, or when you complete your on-demand training, you will receive the following materials:

Instructor Training Manual

Zumba® Basic 1 Instructor Review Videos

Certificate of Completion

Fitness Certification Credits for Instructor Trainings (varies by country)

CEC/CEUs: AFAA 8, ACE 0.7, CIMSPA 8, CANFITPRO 4, AEA 4, REPS NZ 5, AUSACTIVE 5

You can get the same Zumba® Basic 1 Instructor Training experience no matter what format you choose! They all have the same great content, opportunities to practice, connection with a Zumba® Education Specialist who is there to support you, and a license to teach upon completion! The only difference is how you choose to learn. Zumba® Basic 1 In Person is a one-day*, in person training at a location near you! Zumba® Basic 1 Livestream is one-day*, interactive training taught in real time through Zoom by a Zumba® Education Specialist. Zumba® Basic 1 On Demand is an online training that includes 10 hours of premium content broken up into 16 modules that you can complete at your own pace! Zumba® Basic 1 On Demand includes one month of Zumba® Instructor Network (ZIN™) Tools and Support to assist you during the training.

Exception: two-day training in India, Portugal and Poland

There are three entry-level Instructor Trainings available to non-Zumba Instructors: Zumba^® Basic 1, Zumba^® Basic, Zumba® + Gold: Dual License and Zumba® + Kids: Dual License. The Zumba Basic Instructor Training (also known as Zumba Basic) is a high-energy training session where you'll learn the basic Zumba rhythms as well as multiple variations. This Instructor Training gives you the groundwork you need to teach Zumba class. If you wish to teach a lower-intensity Zumba class to active older adults, beginners, or special populations, then we recommend you take the Zumba^® Basic, Zumba® + Gold: Dual License Training. The Zumba® + Gold: Dual License Training combines the Zumba Gold^® Training with the foundation and formula of a Zumba^® Basic Level 1 Training.

The Jump Start Gold^™ program addresses the anatomical, physiological and psychological needs crucial to teaching the active older adult population*. It is designed for instructors-to-be who are passionate about teaching Zumba Gold^® classes (versus basic Zumba classes) and want to “jump start” their Zumba Gold career. This course allows instructors-to-be to become licensed in both the Zumba Basic and Zumba Gold programs in one extended 10-hour Instructor Training.

The Zumba® + Kids: Dual License Training gives you two Zumba^® Instructor Licenses — Zumba Basic 1 and Zumba^® Kids & Kids Jr. — in a one-day training! You’ll get all the instruction and materials you need to kick start a Zumba^® kids program.

To receive the Kids & Kids Jr. instructor license after the Zumba® + Kids: Dual License training, you must join ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network).