Personal Trainers

Certification or Licensing

Certification is recommended to succeed as a personal trainer and most gyms require certification to teach at their facility. More than 100 organizations offer certification so it is critical to pick the certification best suited for your career goals. Speak with the manager at a gym you would like to teach at to determine which certifications they recommend or talk with personal trainers you admire to find out which certifications they found most helpful.

The American Council on Exercise, the National Federation of Professional Trainers, and American Fitness Professionals and Associates are just a few of the more popular groups that offer certification programs.

Most states do not require a license is to be a personal trainer. Some states require a license to use the designation, "certified athletic trainer." In 2014 the District of Columbia passed the Omnibus Health Regulation Amendment Act, becoming the first municipality to require that personal trainers hold a license. It is likely that more states will require personal trainers to be licensed.