ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must meet the following prerequisite requirements before applying to take the certification exam:
1. Be at least 18 years old. This NFPT requirement assures that the applicant, choosing to enter into agreement with the NFPT certification program, is a recognized legal adult. A legal adult, or an individual age 18 or older, is legally accountable for their actions and at the legal age to enter into enforceable agreements. NFPT applicants enter into agreement with NFPT.
2. Have a high school diploma or equivalent. This NFPT requirement assures that the applicant has completed the academic education that is federally mandated and required for high school grading qualification achievement. The completion of a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) demonstrates the applicant’s minimum competency in subjects relatable to the foundational knowledge that is required for personal trainer specific skills. These subjects include math, science, English and physical education/health.
3. Agree to adhere to the NFPT Codes of Conduct. This requirement assures that the applicant understands his/her obligation to adhere to professional ethics and safety standards before, during and after the pursuit of the personal trainer certification qualification.
Codes of Conduct for Personal Fitness Trainers
Professional Standards for the NFPT Certified Personal Trainer:
- Provide safe and effective fitness program design through appropriate screening, consultation and evaluation of the apparently healthy client’s physical fitness goals and limitations
- Uphold professional courtesy and consistency by implementing standards for client confidentiality, client to trainer relationships and allied health professional references
- Maintain clear business standards and an understanding of limitations and responsibilities as they pertain to best business practices, client and public safety, and legal and professional liabilities
- Comply with certification renewal and continuing education requirements for trainer maintenance and advancement
- Represent the certification credential, organization and industry in a way that furthers health and fitness efforts and initiatives
- Complete all documents, applications or declarations made to NFPT truthfully
- Protect the confidentiality of NFPT certification material including, but not limited to, certification exam material, exam questions and score reporting documentation
- Follow NFPT policy for the appropriate use of the NFPT Certified Personal Trainer certification mark or other logos (also known as “NFPT Branding”). NFPT branding may only be used by currently active certificants and never associated with activities that are illegal, obscene or inappropriately construed
- Never knowingly provide trainer services to individuals who are at risk and/or not apparently healthy, or without proper medical release and/or without the performance of proper screening and evaluation procedures
- Refrain from the performance of unethical and/or negligent activities to include lewd and immoral conduct, inappropriate sexual advances or abuses, misuse of trainer/client confidence, reckless exercise instruction or unprofessional behavior that mentally or physically harms the client or general public
- Refrain from any substance that may cause mental or physical impairment that impedes the trainer’s ability to safely and effectively evaluate, implement and perform an appropriate fitness training program
- Comply fully with all certification renewal requirements
- Refrain from any liable, slanderous or damaging remarks or literature that discredits the personal trainer profession and/or certification organizations that appropriately certify the personal fitness training professional
In addition, Applicants, Test Candidates and Certificants must report any conviction of a felony. This must be reported to the human resources director at HRdept@nfpt.com. Reports of felonies will be reviewed under the disciplinary and complaints policy on a case-by-case basis.
Felony offenses that have occurred within seven (7) years before application submission and are grounds for applicant ineligibility will include, but are not limited to, all sexually based crimes and/or the intent or actual use of a weapon to cause or threaten harm to another person. Felony offenses that have occurred seven (7) or more years prior to application submission will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with an eligibility decision that is at the sole discretion of NFPT.
Felony offenses that occur after application eligibility or certification award and are grounds for applicant ineligibility or certification revocation include, but are not limited to, all sexually based crimes and/or the intent or actual use of a weapon to cause or threaten harm to another person and/or the involvement in the illegal use, sale or distribution of anabolic or controlled substances.
Investigation and disciplinary action will occur in compliance with the NFPT Certification Council’s Complaints and Disciplinary Actions Policy.
SEE ALL POLICY AND PROCEDURE RELATED TO THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS IN THE CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK.
Click here for Certification Handbook
When applying to the NFPT Personal Trainer Certification Program, you are agreeing that you have read and understand the policy provisions of the NFPT Personal Trainer Certification Handbook, which defines certification application eligibility, refund requests, test administration and responsibilities, membership renewal and recertification requirements, professional standards for codes of conduct and subsequent disciplinary action and all other statements and disclosures of the NFPT Personal Trainer Certification Handbook.