Personal Trainer Certification & Personal Training Career

What is important about a certification with an NCCA accreditation?

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the accreditation body for the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). Certification programs (including on-line certification programs) may apply and be accredited by the NCCA if they demonstrate compliance with each accreditation standard. An NCCA accredited personal fitness trainer certification satisfies competency testing requirements for each of the major topics determined to be significant in ones performance as a personal fitness trainer. These topics are as determined by a statistically correct questioning of industry professionals.

Passing an NCCA accredited certification does not ensure that you have the necessary hands-on / practical experience characteristic of an effective and safe personal fitness trainer. The content of any / all NCCA accredited certification's "course" material is not necessarily recognized as an industry-wide accepted "best practice". The content of any course material should pass the academic litmus test for scientific accuracy (i.e. acceptable research).

NPTI Colorado recommends that its graduates take the equivalent of the “Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) examination from one or more of these nationally (and in some cases internationally) recognized certifying agencies upon graduation:

• ACE / American Council on Exercise
• ACSM / American College of Sports Medicine
• NASM / National Academy of Sports Medicine
• NSCA / National Strength & Conditioning Association

Other specialty type certifications can be found for intensive continuing education in yoga, pilates, various martial arts, kettlebell training, and more.