Getting Certified
What type of certifications do you offer?
NETA offers Group Exercise and Personal Trainer certification.

Is NETA Accredited?
NETA's Personal Trainer Certification and Group Exercise Certifications are accredited by NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). See Accreditation for more details.

What specialty certifications does NETA offer?
Pilates Mat, Yoga, Pilates Reformer, Kettlebell, and Indoor Cycling.

How long are the NETA certifications valid?
Each certification is valid for two years.

Can I get certified without going to a workshop?
Yes, NETA has test only options for Group Exercise and Personal Trainer Certification.

How much is the Group Fitness test only certification?
$199. The price does not include cost of the recommended NETA Fitness Professional's Manual.

Test Only Option Process FAQ:
If you are interested in taking the Personal Training or Group Exercise Test Only Option, here are the steps you should follow...

1. Find a Comira testing center location: Go to http://www.comiratesting.com/testing-center-locations.html. Type in your zipcode and within and click GO. Select NETA (National Exercise Trainers Association) then select either Group Exercise Instructor or Personal Training Certification and click SUBMIT
2. Once you find a testing center that you are willing to travel to the next step is to call NETA to register 1-800-237-6242. (You can only register over the phone or by mail for this option.)
3. Once you are registered for the test only option, NETA will email Comira to let them know you are registered to take the NETA exam at any of their testing centers. This process can take up to 24-48 business hours. NETA will also send out a confirmation letter to you in the mail. You must bring this letter with you to the testing center. This confirmation letter will give you Comira's phone number (1-800-947-4228) and you can call this number anytime after you get the letter to schedule where and when you want to take the exam.
4. The letter will also inform you that Comira will charge a $39 testing fee (a fee to use their site) that you will have to pay to Comira.
5. Exam results will be given on-site. Group Exercise: NETA will mail your certification out to you.Personal Training: Mail, fax, or email a copy of your current Adult CPR to NETA. Once received NETA will send your certification out in the mail.
   
   Group Fitness Certification Test Only: Fee $199 (Does not include $39 Testing Center Fee or Study Materials)
   
   Personal Trainer Certification Test Only: $299 (Does not include $39 Testing Center Fee or Study Materials)

How much is the Personal Trainer test only certification?
$299. The price does not include the cost of the NETA Fitness Professional's Manual.

How do I earn a Yoga Specialty Certification?
NETA and Linda Christy Weiler have teamed up to create a NETA Yoga Specialty Certification. To earn a certification:

1. Purchase and complete NETA's Intro to Teaching Yoga home study program.
2. Obtain 18 CEC's. See Earn a Yoga Specialty Certification (PDF) for more details.
3. Provide proof of completion to NETA.

Or attend a Yoga certificate workshop and earn a certification.

How do I earn a Pilates Specialty Certification?
Or attend a Pilates certificate workshop and earn a certification.

1. Purchase and complete NETA's Intro to Teaching Pilates home study program
2. Obtain 15 CECs. See Earn a Pilates Specialty Certification (PDF) for more details.
3. Provide proof of completion to NETA.

Can I use ACE or AFAA credits toward my renewal?
Yes. NETA will accept credits from ACE or AFAA workshops. Upon renewal, you will need to submit copies of the certificates of completion that list the number of credits and course number for each course.

Can I petition college courses?
Yes, the course must be exercise, fitness or health related. Courses, such as Self Defense, Biology or Chemistry are not valid courses to petition. CPR First Aid, and lifeguard courses are not valid CEC courses. It is a $15 petition fee for each course submitted. A course transcript along with a course agenda and contact hours are needed for review.

Do I need a prior fitness related certification or commensurate course work in the exercise sciences to be able to take the Yoga and Pilates 2-Day workshops?
No. Current fitness related certification or commensurate course work in the exercise sciences is only a recommendation to attend the workshops.

What if I don’t have my current CPR for the Personal Trainer Certification workshop, can I still attend?
Yes you can still attend and take the exam. If you pass, your certificate will be held on to until you can show NETA you have proof of current CPR. Once you have CPR, you can either mail it in or fax it in. Once received, your certificate will be mailed out.

Will NETA help me find a job once I am certified?
Although NETA does not currently offer placement services, potential employers can search our database of instructors.

Can I take the Specialty Certifications just for CECs and not take the exam?
Yes, everyone in attendance receives a certificate of completion.

Do you have age requirements for your certifications?
If you are under the age of 18, you can take the certification workshop, a Minor Waiver Form must be signed.

What form of payment do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. You can also send a check or money order to our mailing address along with your order. 5955 Golden Valley Road, Suite 240, Minneapolis, MN 55422

What if something comes up and I can’t make it to the workshop?
By not attending the workshop, you will automatically receive a Tuition Credit Voucher in the mail. To re-register, just send in the voucher with a $25 re-registration fee and a completed order and we will send you a new confirmation.

Can I get a re-print of my certificate?
Re-prints are available for $15.00 for certifications and $5 for CEC workshops. You may order this over the phone with a Visa, MasterCard or Discover, or through the mail with a check or money order.

How much time should I allow to prepare for the exam?
It depends on your education and experience. If you have a background in exercise science and have been working in the field for at least six months, you may only require a few weeks of review. However, if you are just entering the profession, you may require one to two months to study and obtain hands-on experience.

What factors will influence how I perform on the exam?
Your performance will be influenced by your preparation, education, knowledge and experience, as well as your ability to take a multiple choice exam. Keep in mind that while specific and careful preparation will significantly increase the probability that you will perform well, it does not guarantee a passing score.

Can I see a copy of my exam?
To maintain the integrity and security of the NETA exams, exam questions, answer sheets, answers or other source materials will not be released to candidates under any circumstances.

Can I renew early?
Yes, you may renew at any time during your current certification period. Renewing early does not shorten or change your two-year certification period.

Keeping Your Certification Current
How do I renew my certification?
Approximately 3-4 months prior to your expiration date, NETA will mail a renewal notice to the address listed in the system. (Please notify us of any updates to your address to insure receipt of current information.) Fill out the renewal form, include copies of a minimum of 20 CECs earned within the 2 year period, a copy of your CPR card, and a $45 renewal fee.

If I have more than one NETA certification, how do I keep both certifications current?
Each certification has its own expiration date. You will need to have 20 credits within both 2-year periods. Credits will overlap and credits earned will go towards both certifications.

Do you have to be a certified Instructor to take the CEC workshops?
No. Anyone can enroll in the workshops, but credits will only be applied to current certifications.

If the CECs are not ACE or AFAA, what do I do?
Complete and return a petition form. There is a $15 petition fee for each course being petitioned.

Can I get all my credits through home study or just workshops?
You can get all your credits through home study courses, workshops, or a combination of both. 20 credits are needed for renewal.

Once my certification expires do the CECs taken during my 6-month grace period count towards recertification?
Yes, CECs taken during your grace period will count towards your renewal.

What is considered NETA CECs?
Anything purchased through NETA is considered NETA CECs. Conventions/Expos offering NETA CECs do not count as NETA CECs. They must be directly purchased through NETA to count.

How to Get CEC's
See the CEC and Home Studypages.

Ordering from NETA
You can order apparel, music, videos, and home study materials securely online by going to the NETA Store.

How long does it take to receive my books/merchandise?
Regular shipping through USPS can take from 10-14 days.

Misc. Questions
What does NETA stand for?
National Exercise Trainers Association

How do we get workshops scheduled in our area?
To host a workshop, contact Amara at 1-800-237-6242 ext 4727, or click on Host a Workshop for information.

What type of dress should I wear to workshops?
Workout attire, exercise clothing, and exercise shoes.

What is Comira?
Comira (CATS Test Center) provides end-to-end testing services for licensing, certification, assessment and educational testing programs. NETA uses Comira for our test only option for Group Fitness and Personal Training.

Does NETA accept on-line CPR?
Yes, recommended websites are cprandfirstaid.net or procpr.org.

How do I receive my test results for Personal or Group Exercise exams?
Personal or Group Exercise Certification exam results can take up to 30 days to receive by USPS First Class Mail. Results cannot be emailed, faxed, or given over the phone.

How can I submit my NETA Home Study answer sheet?
You can submit your answer sheet by mail, fax, or on-line. Instructions for each will be detailed within each home study. Results will be mailed within 7 days of completion.