PTR Certification Process

Step 1: Become a PTR Member

• Submit an online application including payment or
• Fax a completed application form to 843-686-2033 or
• Mail a completed application form to PTR, PO Box 4739,
  Hilton Head Island SC 29938 or
• Call PTR Headquarters at 800-421-6289 or 843-785-7244

Note: It is very important to join PTR at least two weeks prior to attending a certification workshop. This will give you the time necessary to study and prepare for the test.

Step 2: Study and Prepare for the Certification Test

Upon receipt of your application and membership fees, PTR will send you study materials for the certification test. Please review the Preparation for Certification DVD several times, as well as the accompanying Test Preparation Guide. Our research has shown that those who watch the DVD are much better prepared for the workshop and certification testing.

Step 3: Register for a International Certification Workshop

To be eligible to take the PTR Certification Tests, all members must attend either the PTR International Certification Workshop or a Van der Meer TennisUniversity. The Teaching Essentials Certification Workshop is a 10 hour course that will prepare you for the PTR Certification Test. At the completion of the workshop, a PTR Tester will administer the five-part PTR Certification Test.

Workshops are held frequently around the USA and the world. Consult our Workshop Schedule for locations near you. PTR workshops are added on a daily basis, and if you have a site that has four or more people interested in getting certified, we will schedule a workshop at your facility. To host a PTR workshop, please call Steve at 800-421-6289.

Step 4: Pass the Five PTR Certification Tests

To become PTR Certified you must pass all five PTR Certification Tests. Your overall certification rating is the lowest of your five test scores. The highest certification rating is Professional, followed by Instructor, then Associate Instructor.

For example, if you score Professional on four tests and Instructor on one, your overall rating will be Instructor.
You may retest on any or all of the five tests 60 days after your most recent testing date. Retesting fees will apply. You are allowed to keep all of the scores that you are satisfied with while retesting only those that you wish to improve. Should you score lower on a retest than your original score is kept.

The five tests include the Drill, Error Detection, Skills, Teaching and Written as described below.

Drill Test

You will be asked to perform one of the drill tests featured on the PTR Preparation for Certification DVD. You will be evaluated on your ability to:

• organize and conduct the drill with attention to safety at all times
• adjust the speed and placement of the ball to the students' level and objective of the drill
• demonstrate slow (single rhythm) and fast (double rhythm) feeding as well as live ball drills
• provide personalized constructive comments with appropriate voice tone
• position yourself and the ball hopper appropriately, etc.

Error Detection Test

The Tester will demonstrate three errors on each of the following: serve, forehand groundstroke and backhand groundstroke.

The Tester will demonstrate each of the errors several times, one error at a time. Your task will be to identify both the error and the appropriate corrective technique for each shot.

Examples of errors and corresponding corrections are on the DVD. Please note that the errors and corrections on the PTR Preparation for Certification DVD are a sample and the Tester may demonstrate additional errors and corrections at the International Certification Workshop.

Skills Test

You will be asked to perform all of the strokes in tennis. All strokes will be reviewed during a dead ball feed or in a rally situation. Although ball control, accuracy, depth and spin are evaluated, the mechanics of the stroke are weighed more heavily in the rating. Examples of mechanically sound strokes are demonstrated on the DVD.

Teaching Test

You will be asked to conduct a 25-30 minute group lesson on either the serve, forehand groundstroke or backhand groundstroke. You will teach three to four students, and while doing so the Tester will want to see your personality and style, you should strictly follow the PTR lesson structure. Examples of each lesson are shown on the DVD.

Written Test

The Written Test offers a review of the lesson structure and specialty shot progressions. You will also be tested on your basic knowledge of the game, its strokes and grips, organizations, rules, scoring, strategy and tactics.

The test has 100 questions totaling 100 points. It is composed of questions in the form of multiple choice and matching and placing the steps of progressions in order. The six major categories of questions on the exam are:

• Corrective Techniques
• General Tennis Knowledge
• Rules of Tennis and Basic Strategy
• Standard Lesson Teaching Techniques
• Teaching Progressions
• Tennis Terms and Grips

The PTR Certification process combines a basic, fundamental teaching style with a standardized test. Testers provide grades and PTR reviews the results and determines final ratings to help ensure that each member is treated equally and fairly.

Once you have passed all five tests, you become a certified member in the world’s largest organization of tennis teachers and coaches.