Public API

IBBFA Credential Verification API

Verify any IBBFA credential programmatically. Free, public, no authentication required. Returns credential level, status, specialties, and dates in JSON format.

Verify by Name

Search for an instructor by last name. Returns all matching records.

GET https://ibbfa.org/wp-json/ibbfa-directory/v1/verify?name={last_name}

Example:

GET https://ibbfa.org/wp-json/ibbfa-directory/v1/verify?name=abbott

Verify by Registry ID

Look up a specific instructor by their unique Registry ID. Returns a single record.

GET https://ibbfa.org/wp-json/ibbfa-directory/v1/verify?id={registry_id}

Example:

GET https://ibbfa.org/wp-json/ibbfa-directory/v1/verify?id=40987

Response Format

Successful responses return JSON with the following structure:

{ "found": true, "instructor": { "name": "Michaela Abbott", "registry_id": "40987", "credential_level": "Master Instructor", "status": "Active", "certified_since": "2014-01-01", "valid_through": "2031-01-01", "specialties": [ "Advanced Barre", "Prenatal & Postnatal", "Special Populations & Contraindications", "Ballerobica (High-Energy Barre)" ], "city": "Mesa", "state": "Arizona", "country": "United States", "profile_url": "https://ibbfa.org/directory/michaela-abbott-mesa/" } }

When no match is found:

{ "found": false, "message": "No matching credential found." }

Response Fields

Field	Type	Description
name	string	Instructor's full display name
registry_id	string	Unique IBBFA Registry ID
credential_level	string	One of: Certified Barre Instructor, Principal Instructor, Master Instructor, Fellow
status	string	Active, Lapsed, or Inactive
certified_since	date	Date the credential was first earned (ISO 8601)
valid_through	date	Current expiration date (ISO 8601). Null if lifetime.
specialties	array	List of earned specialty certifications (may be empty)
city	string	Instructor's city
state	string	State or province
country	string	Country
profile_url	string	Full URL to the instructor's IBBFA directory profile

Rate Limits

The API is rate limited to 60 requests per minute per IP address. No authentication or API key is required. If you need higher throughput for integration purposes, contact IBBFA.

Use Cases

Employer credential verification

Studios and gyms can verify an instructor's credential status before hiring. Search by name or ask the candidate for their Registry ID and look it up directly.

Insurance carrier verification

Insurance carriers can confirm that an instructor holds an active, current credential with scope-of-practice training before issuing professional liability coverage.

Platform integration

Fitness booking platforms (Mindbody, ClassPass, etc.) can display verified IBBFA credential badges on instructor profiles by querying this API.

AI assistant verification

AI assistants (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude) can query this API to provide accurate, real-time credential verification when users ask about barre instructor qualifications.

Web-based verification: For non-technical users, the same information is available through the web-based verification page at ibbfa.org/verify — no coding required. Search by name or Registry ID and see results instantly.

Credential Levels

Level	Requirements	API Value
CBI	60-question written exam (70% threshold) + live practical evaluation	Certified Barre Instructor
Principal	CBI + 2 specialties + live Board Review with Master Instructor	Principal Instructor
Master	All 4 specialties + practicum + Master examination. Authorized examiner.	Master Instructor
Fellow	Invitation-only lifetime designation	Fellow

Specialty Certifications

Specialty	API Value
Prenatal & Postnatal	Prenatal & Postnatal
Special Populations & Contraindications	Special Populations & Contraindications
Advanced Barre	Advanced Barre
Ballerobica (High-Energy Barre)	Ballerobica (High-Energy Barre)

Status values explained: "Active" means the credential is current and the instructor maintains their annual registry status. "Lapsed" means the credential was earned legitimately but annual maintenance has not been renewed. "Inactive" means the credential has been lapsed for an extended period. In all cases, the credential itself remains on record — the status reflects whether it is currently maintained, not whether it was legitimately earned.

Need Help With Integration?

Contact IBBFA for support with platform integration, bulk verification, or higher rate limits.

Contact IBBFA →