Personal Trainer Search

Certification Organizations
Excerpted from About.com

• ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)
  Home study available? Yes, exam taken on location.
  Cost: $219 to $279 for exam, workshops and study materials are extra
  Prerequisites: A high school diploma or equivalent, 18 years of age and a current adult CPR certification
  Accredited by NCCA
• ACE (American Council on Exercise)
  Home study available? Yes, exam taken on location or online (cost is extra).
  Cost: $219 to $249, review course and study materials are extra
  Prerequisites: 18 years old, CPR/AED certified
  Accredited by NCCA
• AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America)
  Home study available? Yes, exam is taken on location.
  Cost: $469 for a 3-day workshop that includes certification.
  Prerequisites: N/A
  Accredited by Vital Research, going through accreditation with Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
• AFPA (American Fitness Professionals and Associates)
  Home study available? Yes, exam taken at home.
  Cost: $370
  Prerequisites: 18 years of age and high school diploma
  Currently going through the accreditation process with DETC
• IFPA (International Fitness Professionals Association)
  Home study available? Yes, exam taken on location.
  Cost: $349, study materials extra
  Prerequisites: N/A Accredited by NCCA
• ISSA (International Sports & Sciences Association)
  Home study available? Yes, weekend seminar also available.
  Cost: $595
  Prerequisites: CPR/AED certified
  Currently going through the accreditation process with DETC
• NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
  Home study available? Yes, exam taken on location.
  Cost: $549, study materials or workshops extra
  Prerequisites: Must be 18 years old and have current CPR/AED certification
  Accredited by NCCA
• NCSF (National Council on Strength and Fitness)
  Home study available? Yes, exam taken on location.
  Cost: $549
  Pre-requisites: Must be 18 years old and have current CPR/AED certified
  Accredited by NCCA
• NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers)
  Home study available? Yes, different exam options.
  Cost: $450 (Cost depends on study option chosen)
  Prerequisites: High school diploma
  Accredited by NCCA