Wrong, all Personal Trainers are not Licensed

At least, not in the state of California or in any other state in the U.S. at the time I am writing this article. Now that’s not to say that “certifications” are not offered from a number of fitness organizations within the health and fitness industry. And it’s not uncommon for an organization to offer several types certifications including certifications for Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors, Yoga Instructors, and even Pilates Instructors.

But a Certification is much different than a License. The main difference is that a “license” is associated with a government agency that oversees the education of a group of people. Much like medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors, nurses, and massage therapists, just to name a few.

And with “certifications” it’s fitness organizations that are responsible for overseeing the education of a specific group of people. If personal training were to become licensed, then all fitness organizations would legally be overseen by a jurisdiction of the government. At that point licensing would become standardized like it is for other allied health professions that require a license.

Licensing Personal Trainers as Part of Allied Health Care

Currently most fitness organizations require a person to be CPR and AED certified. One upside to licensing personal training would mean professionals would be weeded out from among a sea of non-professionals. And additionally insurance may begin covering personal training, as it’s in the best interest of the insurance companies for people to maintain good health.

Of course this would come with a price. Fees associated with licensing would most likely be overseen by the state the trainer practices in. Most licenses require continuing educations credits annually or biannually in conjunction with renewal fees.   

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the organization that gives accreditation to fitness organizations. A thorough evaluation of the organization is usually required prior to the organization being granted accreditation, much like a college. And not all organizations are accredited.

A simplified way to think of it is in terms of a “registration” per say. One personal trainer is certified with an organization that is “accredited” by the NCCA. Verses a trainer that is only “certified” by an unaccredited organization.

Yours in Health,
Melissa

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