Becoming a certified personal trainer is a great way to join the fitness industry and start your career, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you start.
The requirements for becoming certified vary from state to state and can range from as little as a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending on the program and where you live.
Personal Trainer Certification Requirements
Personal trainer certification requirements vary widely between states and programs, so it’s important that you do your research before enrolling in any course. Some states have their own set of requirements that must be met before you can become a certified personal trainer, while others require national certification through an accredited organization.
There are two main types of certification: national certification and state-specific certification. National certifications typically last longer than state ones, but there are many benefits to both types of certifications.
National Certification
National certifications are issued by organizations like NFPT (National Federation of Personal Trainers) or ISSA (International Sports Science Association). These organizations offer courses that teach participants how to properly train clients based on their fitness goals and abilities while maintaining safety at all times.
How To Become Certified Personal Trainer
With a rising interest in achieving healthier lifestyles, due in part to greater awareness about the obesity and chronic disease epidemics, more people are being drawn to careers in health and fitness. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, between 2018 and 2028, employment in the field is expected to increase by 13%. If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Personal Trainer, here are a few steps to make the process seamless.BEGIN.
STEP 1
Do your research and choose a study program
Once you’ve decided that becoming a personal trainer is right for you, the first step is choosing a certification program. Consider a certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), renowned as the gold standard in health and fitness. All ACE Certifications are accredited by the NCCA.
After choosing the best certification program for you, it’s time to get your study materials. The ACE Personal Trainer Study Program is designed for all learning styles by delivering content through digestible text, charts, graphics and videos as well as online activities, practice tests and on-demand study support to reinforce the material. The learning experience is self-paced, typically taking 80-100 hours over 3-4 months and is centered around ACE University, our intuitive learning platform. In addition, you will have access to ACE Answers study support to assure you are well prepared for your certification exam.
Curious what our study programs are like? Get your FREE course preview.NEXT
STEP 2
Register for your exam
You can take the Certification Exam
FROM HOME!
Costs associated with registering for an ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam are conveniently included in each of our study programs. You are required to register for your exam within 6 months after purchasing your materials (though you can select a date beyond that deadline).
Prior to registering, make sure you meet all prerequisite requirements for your exam, which includes holding a current CPR/AED certification with live skills check. Please note that purchasing ACE study materials is not required in order to register for the exam.NEXT
STEP 3
Pass your exam and get your dream job
Once you successfully pass your exam, you will officially be an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. You’ll have access to exclusive resources aimed at helping you launch your career, including professional discounts on equipment, liability insurance and more. You’ll also receive your certificate and a wallet ID card to verify your credentials to potential clients and employers.
There are a lot of factors that go into finding the right career path as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. First, you’ll need to determine which setting you want to work in and where, such as a health and fitness club, specialty studio, medical fitness facility or even out on your own and online. Whichever career path you pursue, ACE has a number of tools to help you get started. For more information, see our programs & benefits or log in to your My ACE Account once you earn your certification.NEXT
STEP 4
Define your specialty
It’s important to note that you can’t be everything to everyone, no matter how great you are at your craft. You must have a clear idea of your target market to connect with clients who will be a good fit for your services. ACE has created a series of Specialist Programs to help you focus your expertise in specific areas like sports performance, fitness nutrition, weight management and behavior change. Although anyone can pursue the education in a specialist program, only those who hold NCCA-accredited certifications will be recognized as ACE Specialists. To find out which area you should pursue, consider the needs in your community, what you are most passionate about and your preferred training style.NEXT
STEP 5
Maintain Your ACE Certification
In order to maintain the high standards set by the NCCA, ACE Professionals (and others in the industry) are required to earn 20 hours of continuing education credits (2.0 CECs) every two years. Establishing and enforcing that standard helps us validate that professionals continue to enhance their competence to safely and effectively lead people to change. To fulfill those renewal requirements, ACE offers a number of diverse opportunities to help you build your expertise.
