It hosts various competitions in many different formats including Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Ballet and Tap Dance as well as contemporary styles like Disco Freestyle.

The ISTD is also represented on the committees of numerous other arts, dance and culture related organisations.

The Imperial Society of Dance Teachers was formed on 25 July 1904 at the Hotel Cecil in Covent Garden, London.

The ISTD offers syllabi in a range of dance styles, which are typically delivered in the form of medal tests or graded examinations.

The Board of Trustees also includes the Grand Council, a group of eminent dance professionals.

Each faculty committee is responsible for the technical and artistic development of a specific dance technique within the ISTD.

The work of a faculty committee includes the continued development of the syllabi for the relevant dance technique, the regulation and control of examinations and the organisation of lectures, teacher training courses, seminars and other events.

The ISTD is primarily a dance examination board, with teacher members delivering its syllabi to students in both private and mainstream education.

The grade system is especially adapted to different ages of pupils, and as a basis for dance as an activity in schools or other similar institutions.

Dancers who have achieved a high level examination pass in an ISTD dance subject can progress into teacher training with the organisation.

People who successfully complete the training become registered teachers of the ISTD and may enter students for examinations in the dance subject for which they have qualified.