I think it's a reasonable idea if you want to take the road to professionalism. For those who may be bellydancing just for GP, it may be a waste of time and or money...

I think certification in the lower levels of a program may be good for anyone who is really interested in the dance and truly wants to learn good technique, but if you don't really care that much and just want to bellydance strictly for fun or exercise, then the certification isn't really that important. It can also be helpful to those who want to go professional or teach. No matter what, I wouldn't spend the money to get certified until you've been dancing a year or so and you know that the dance is truely something you love and is going to be a part of your life for the rest of your life.

I think it is difficult to certify an artform like belly dance. There are so many different styles from so many countries. How do you say which is right and which is wrong? Think of the different types of shimmies. -which one is the right one? They are all right if their being done safely.

Although I do think it's important for anyone wanting to go professional to study as much as they can with as many different teachers as they can. If someone is going to teach having a Fitness Trainer Certificat or some education about physiology is important.

I think potential students and entertainment organizers just need to research a dancer's background (how long they've been dancing, vid's of performances) before comitting to them. That will be thier assurance that the dancer will work well for them.