If you want to earn your personal trainer certification, you’re in the right place.
Certification through a nationally accredited and recognized agency is an important step in establishing credibility and earning respect as a qualified exercise professional, and our NCCA-accredited Personal Trainer Certification is among the best in the industry. Developed for those who plan to work with apparently healthy individuals, our curriculum is updated continuously according to the latest research and techniques to help you challenge, guide, support and motivate your clients. Compare NCCA Accredited Personal Trainer Certifications
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Personal Trainer Certification Topics
- Exercise Science (Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Biomechanics)
- Health & Fitness Assessments
- Exercise Programming for Healthy Adults
- Principles of Nutrition & Weight Management
- Dynamics of Communication & Behavioral Change
Obtaining a NETA Personal Trainer Certification demonstrates to potential employers your commitment to the profession and is valid for two years from the date of issue. Personal Trainer certificants must hold current adult CPR and AED certification from a recognized provider including a hands-on practical skills assessment.
Tips on how to prepare for the Personal Trainer ExamGreat organization to get your personal training certifications. The support they give to the Fit-Ops Foundation is amazing and greatly appreciated.
—Shannon Patrick
Two Options for Personal Trainer Certification
Option 1: Self-Study + 2-Day Live Review Workshop
More than just self-study! NETA provides a live personal trainer exam preparation workshop presented by an experienced NETA educator.
Prepare on your own using NETA’s recommended study materials*, and then attend NETA’s 2-Day Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Review Workshop featuring 14 hours of interactive lectures, discussion, and hands-on activities. The review workshop provides an excellent opportunity to put the final touches on your exam preparations and to interact with one of NETA’s well-qualified national presenters. Includes the written personal trainer certification exam administered by an independent proctor. To successfully prepare, NETA recommends that candidates devote an appropriate amount of time (e.g., at least 30-45 days) and effort to self-directed study prior to attending the workshop or attempting the examination.
Option 2: Premier Plus Personal Trainer Certification Study Package
Preparing for NETA’s distinguished NCCA accredited Personal Trainer Certification is now more convenient and stress-free. Learn at your own pace utilizing NETA’s user friendly online prep modules.
Premier Plus Package includes:
- Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Exam*
- Personal Trainer Online Review Modules
- The Fitness Professional’s Manual, 5th ed.
- The Fitness Professional’s Workbook for Personal Trainers & Practice Exam
- Education Department Support
- Voucher for $10.00 Your First NETA CEC Course
$499.00 $399.00Add to cart
Or call NETA to register: 1.800.237.6242
The computer-based version of NETA’s Personal Trainer Certification exam is administered online using remote online proctoring services provided by ProctorU. To learn more about computer-based testing, please see Test-Only Options.
NETA certifications require preparation and study prior to taking the exam. If you are registering for a Personal Fitness Trainer Certification we strongly recommend that you purchase the NETA Fitness Professionals Manual (Item# 135) and the Fitness Professional’s Workbook for Personal Trainers (Item #16).
NETA does not require candidates to attend a review workshop or to purchase NETA study materials to be eligible to sit for the Personal Trainer Certification Exam. Please visit the Test Only Options page of NETA’s website to learn more about registration for the Personal Trainer Certification Exam. Workshop end times may vary depending on class size. Proof of current Adult CPR/AED is required for Personal Trainer Certification. Please refer to the Exam Candidate Handbook found on NETA’s website for more information. NETA’s Personal Trainer Certification is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
Recommended Materials
NETA certifications require preparation and study prior to taking the exam. If you are registering for a Personal Trainer Certification we strongly recommend that you purchase the NETA Fitness Professionals Manual (Item# 135) and the Fitness Professional’s Workbook for Personal Trainers (Item #16). Free shipping on study materials when purchased with the registration!
NETA’s The Fitness Professional’s Manual, 5th 
Edition
The Fitness Professional’s Manual is the primary resource recommended for candidates preparing for NETA’s Personal Fitness Trainer certification exam. The updated fifth edition includes 27 comprehensive chapters and over 380 pages covering topics including relationship-building and communication, theories of behavior change, exercise science, nutrition and weight management, preparticipation screening, health and fitness assessments, guidelines for exercise program design, exercise programming for special populations and medical conditions, and legal considerations. Each chapter concludes with review questions to test your knowledge.
Item #135
$59.00Add to cart
NETA’s The Fitness Professional’s Workbook For Personal Trainers
More than 100 practical activities including the Personal Trainer Practice Test ($10 value), labeling, matching, fill-in-the-blank and math problems – all designed to help you master the material in The Fitness Professional’s Manual. This is an excellent tool to prepare you for the Personal Trainer review workshop and certification exam.
Item #16
$29.00Add to cart
Personal Trainer Certification Online Review Modules
Prepare for NETA’s NCCA-accredited Personal Fitness Trainer certification exam using NETA’s new online prep modules. NETA’s Personal Trainer Certification Online Review consists of six modules. Module one presents communication skills and behavior change. Module two covers the exercise sciences. Module three includes nutrition and weight management. Module four reviews health screening and fitness assessment. Module five covers physical activity and exercise program design. The final module presents exercises considerations for special populations, emergency response, and legal considerations. NETA’s online review modules compliment The Fitness Professional’s Manual and serve as an excellent resource for those who are serious about becoming a well-qualified and certified personal trainer.
Item # 124
$189.00Add to cart
Special Packages
Basic Personal Trainer Study Package
The Basic Study Package includes:
- The Fitness Professional’s Manual, 5th edition
- The Fitness Professional’s Workbook for Personal Trainers
- 50-Question Personal Trainer Practice Exam
Item #170
$79.00Add to cart
Premier Personal Trainer Study Package
The Premier Package includes:
- The Fitness Professional’s Manual, 5th edition
- The Fitness Professional’s Workbook for Personal Trainers
- 50-Question Personal Trainer Practice Exam
- Personal Trainer Online Review Modules
- Education Department Support
- Voucher for $10.00 off your first NETA continuing education course
Item #172
$199.00Add to cart
Premier Plus Personal Trainer Study Package
The Premier Plus Package includes:
- Everything included in the Premier Package, plus…
- Registration for the Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Exam*
Item #120: $499
The computer-based version of NETA’s Personal Trainer certification exam is administered online using remote online proctoring services provided by ProctorU. To learn more about computer-based testing, please see Test-Only Options.
$499.00 $399.00Add to cart
Additional Resources
- Exam Candidate Handbook (PDF)
- Recertification Handbook (PDF)
- 2017 Exam Annual Statistics Report (PDF)
- 2018 Exam Annual Statistics Report (PDF)
- 2019 Exam Annual Statistics Report (PDF)
- Personal Trainer Study Guide & Schedule — 5th Edition (PDF)
