Guidelines for Third-Party Certifications

As our FCBD®Style community continues to grow and evolve, we want to ensure that we are all moving forward with clarity, integrity, and shared understanding.

To support this, we’ve created a set of guidelines for the appropriate use of the FatChanceBellyDance® (FCBD®Style) name when offering certifications in props, dialects, or other training inspired by this dance form. These guidelines are designed to provide transparency, maintain the authenticity of FCBD®Style, and ensure that students have clear information about the nature of their training.

You’ll find the full guidelines linked below, but here are the two key points:

1️⃣ Certifications may not use "FCBD®" or "FCBD®Style" in the title but should include a footnote stating:
"This training is FCBD®Style Inspired."

2️⃣ All course registration materials must include the disclaimer:
"This is not an official FCBD®Style Certification. Completion of this course does not replace an FCBD®Style Teacher Training."

Our goal is not to limit creativity but to create a clear and unified understanding of what is officially part of FCBD®Style and what is an adaptation inspired by it. This approach helps ensure that students know exactly what they are receiving and reinforces the strength of our collective work as Certified Studios.

We appreciate the incredible dedication you bring to teaching and sharing FCBD®Style. These guidelines are one more way we can support each other, protect the integrity of our dance form, and continue building a strong, informed, and inspired global community.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss these guidelines further, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey—we couldn’t do it without you!

With gratitude and support,

DeAnna, Carolena and the FCCE Team