How to Get Certified as a Personal Trainer

Get certified as a Personal Trainer using this step by step guide. This article will walk you through the steps you need to take to become a certified personal trainer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a professional organization to get your personal training certification through.
   
   When looking at different organizations for your certification, make sure they are an accredited institution and that it is recognized across the nation.

2. Consider looking at home study courses through certifying organizations (like ACSM - see resources).

3. Make sure you can take the certification exam.
   
   Where will the certification exam take place? Do you have all the prerequisites for the exam (ex. US citizen?)?

4. Make sure that prospective companies or gyms you are looking for take the personal trainer certification from your organization.
   
   Some companies require certifications from specific organizations. Others are more relaxed.

5. Factor in the cost to maintain and renew your personal trainer certification.
   
   Some personal trainer certifications require "continuing education hours." Make sure to factor this in to the cost of the personal trainer certification at the institution.

Resources

• American College of Sports Medicine