How to Become a Licensed Personal Trainer?

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Published by Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: December 28, 2023
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The demand for certified personal trainers in the fitness industry is at its highest, offering a rewarding career.

I became interested in this career in college, working with strength coaches, and it's been a decision without regrets.

Clients achieving their fitness goals often inquire about becoming certified personal trainers.

So, as a team of personal trainers, we combined our educational experiences to give you this complete guide.

Quick Summary

  • To become a certified personal trainer, enroll in an NCAA accredited program, focusing on personal trainer certification, certified strength coach, and sport nutrition.
  • Essential steps include checking eligibility, finding the right course option, and choosing a program from reputable organizations like NASM or NCSF.
  • The average hourly salary for a personal trainer is about $17, with potential earnings up to $30 per hour depending on certification level and specialization.
  • In my opinion, becoming a certified personal trainer not only enhances credibility but also opens doors for further education and diverse career opportunities in fitness and health.

Why Is It Important To Be A Certified Personal Trainer?

A Personal trainer teaching

The largely unregulated world of sports and fitness training allows anyone to open a gym or fitness class.

It’s only when you get into the physical therapy and sports nutrition area where the industry becomes more regulated.

But even if you can simply join fitness professionals without any formal training, that doesn't mean it’s an intelligent choice.

There are some significant advantages of becoming a certified personal trainer.

Internationally Recognized Standard

Certification programs like NASM, NFPT, or NCSF offer globally recognized education and certificates.

That means your accreditation in the U.S. could help you to find jobs in most parts of the world and allow you to travel to where the work is.

Credibility

Certified training will involve course and class-work, practical experience, and an exam to prove that you’re able for the job.

Being able to tell your clients that you’ve gone through accredited training will give you credibility and your clients' peace of mind.

Further Education

Personal Trainer helping their student to lift

Going through certification and an exam can also open doors for further education in sports nutrition or even to become a physical therapist.

Starting as a certified personal trainer in a small gym can lead to significant opportunities, such as working with major sports teams.

How To Become A Personal Trainer

Personal Trainer guiding her student

Organizations like NASM, NCFS, and others offer a training program in multiple areas of sports, diet/nutrition, and fitness. But there are a couple of things you need to consider

1. Check If You’re Eligible

The first thing you’ll need is a high school degree or GED before you can even apply for a certification program.

The other thing you need to check for is whether the certification provider includes emergency cardiac care in the form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as part of the course [1].

From my own journey to becoming a certified personal trainer, I can attest to the importance of completing Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training certifications beforehand. In many cases, these are prerequisites, and I found it beneficial to complete them before starting the training program.

This approach helped me manage my workload effectively and not get overwhelmed with the simultaneous demands of certification and AED training.

2. Find The Right Course Option

A trainee with his personal trainer

I’ll get to some course options below that offer great education as well as value for money.

When choosing a personal trainer program, consider factors beyond just the cost.

Ensure that you pick an NCAA accredited program [2], which is the gold standard in the fitness industry.

3. Choose A Program

All NASM and NCSF courses come with different enrollment options.

Basic personal trainer programs typically provide digital self-study materials, including audio, video, text, and practice exams.

If you prefer a more guided approach with the ability to ask questions, then there are programs that would give you that level of training, but you will pay more for the service.

Personal Trainer watching her student

The NCSF, along with NASM, is a leading organization for personal trainers, often required for job applications.

There are three courses that you can choose from.

1. Personal Trainer Certification

Standard personal trainer programs offer comprehensive study materials and instructor support.

The NCSF course has become the most sought-after program because it offers a very reasonable package that includes two full days of workshops for less than $100 extra.

You’ll also gain access to extensive practice exams that help to prepare you without getting into exam stress.

2. Certified Strength Coach

woman teaching a man how to use dumbbells

Once you become a personal trainer, you can take your skills and education to another level and offer your clients even more.

The strength training certification specifically focuses on methods to enhance physical performance.

Whether that’s in everyday life or working with elite athletes at a professional level, this is one program that personal trainers can use to leap forward in their career.

“Practical, hands-on experience is a requirement for the strength and conditioning profession and is vital to your success and longevity in the field.”

- Michael W. Favre, Writer at nsca.com

3. Sport Nutrition

More and more personal trainers these days have taken their studying beyond their personal training certification.

See, health and fitness goals are at least 70% reliant on a good diet.

And rather than refer clients to a nutrition expert, you can then offer the whole package. It would allow you to advise clients on what they do in the gym as well as how they structure their diet, meal plans, and supplements at home.

And the best thing about the NCSF courses is that you can continue your educational journey as you complete a course.

Personal Trainer Salaries And Employment Opportunities

A personal trainer 'Spotting' to help the person lifting the weights

According to Career Explorer, the average hourly salary for a personal trainer is about $17.

However, it’s important to note that you can earn up to $30 per hour depending on the level of personal training certification you achieve [3].

The more specialized your certification is, the more you can potentially earn.

You should also consider the fact that there are opportunities in the health and fitness industry to work with high-performance professional athletes and celebrities.

And this is where your earnings potential can go through the roof.

Demand for personal trainers has been consistently increasing and is primarily driven by a mix of baby boomers focusing more on their health and younger generations looking for ways to look like their celebrity idols.

There are also a growing number of job openings due to some states reducing the amount of physical education in schools, causing parents to seek health and fitness classes for children.

What Does A Personal Trainer Course Involve?

A personal trainer watching his student doing a workout

Most accredited courses, including NASM and NCSF, have a very similar breakdown, but they are heavily based on theory.

Text Books

These books usually come in digital form, and they cover everything you need to study for the exam and then implement your knowledge into exercise programs for clients.

You’ll have to learn about exercise physiology, metabolic health, balancing aerobic and strength exercises, goal-based workout plans, and even managing your marketing and finance requirements.

Lectures

You’ll also find that you get a lot of video and audio lectures to cover the study materials from the textbooks. This is a great way for individuals who don’t learn as well from just reading books.

For an additional fee, you’ll also find that certification bodies will provide in-person workshops that go through some of the tougher concepts.

Exams

Always make sure that the program you choose includes some practice tests. These cover all the most common exam questions and allow you to test your knowledge.

The certification exam is based on a multiple-choice format, but people have found them to be quite tough, so make sure you don’t head into one unprepared.

Emergency Assistance

To become a personal trainer, you’ll also need to complete CPR and AED training that the American Red Cross would accept.

Some programs integrate this into the coursework, but it’s important to check before you get started as you won’t be able to complete your certification until this is in place.

Brian Clark, founder, and CEO of United Medical Education, explains that CPR and AED training is important because it teaches trainers to take immediate action and potentially save a life while waiting for assistance.

Since personal trainers plan and lead exercise activities, including cardiovascular workouts, they need to be educated on the signs of risk during intense exercise as well as the possible medical interventions.

Additional Education Opportunities

Healthy green foods and a measuring tape

The best thing about these programs is that they can open up other education programs and a much bigger career.

Here are two options some of my colleagues have chosen.

Nutrition

There's increasing demand for diet and nutritional health expertise due to concerns about the typical Western diet.

Nutritional training certification distinguishes you in the industry and allows you to offer additional services to clients.

Physical Therapy

As a personal trainer, you may be able to get a job as a physical therapy assistant. But it’s also a great opportunity to start an advanced career as a physio.

This will require going to college and earning the necessary certification as set out by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) [4].

But it’s one way to get a job with significant employment and earnings potential.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take To Become a Certified PT?

It takes between 3 and 12 months to become a certified PT. This mainly depends on the complexity of the personal training programs and whether they cover advanced topics like strength training and nutrition.

What personal trainer certificate is most respected?

NCSF and NASM are the most respected personal trainer certificates. While they aren’t known for having an easy-to-pass exam, this is one of the main attractions for students to become more employable in their careers.

Is It Illegal To Be a Personal Trainer Without Certification?

No, it’s not illegal to be a personal trainer without certification, but it is risky. You’ll find it difficult to get the necessary insurance and could expose yourself to serious liabilities due to an injury. Also, employers will always ask for certifications.

Is Getting a Personal Trainer Certification Difficult?

Yes, getting a personal trainer and fitness certification can be difficult.

You’ll need to study a lot of theory about the human body and different types of exercises in order to pass a personal trainer certification exam.

But the potential career prospects are worth the effort.


References:

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600
  2. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2014/10/6/core-courses.aspx
  3. https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/personal-trainer/salary/
  4. https://www.acsm.org/
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About The Author

James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Education: University of Hertfordshire
Lives in: London, England, United Kingdom
Learn more about our editorial policy

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