IFA Certification Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I get certified?
Fitness certification provides education in the principles and practices needed to work safely and effectively with fitness clients. If you plan to work as a Personal Trainer or Group Fitness Instructor, certification may also be required by employers and professional liability insurance providers. Fitness professionals should check the requirements of their employer and insurance provider and keep their certification current.
Certification can also be valuable even if you do not plan to work professionally in the fitness industry. The knowledge gained through a fitness certification program can help you better understand exercise, training principles, safety and healthy lifestyle practices for your own personal fitness program.
How to Become A Fitness Instructor?
To become IFA certified, begin by downloading and studying the IFA Professional Fitness Manual. When you are ready, take the certification exam online. Your exam is graded automatically and your results are provided immediately. If you pass, you can pay the certification fee online to activate your certification. Your Certification Card and Certificate are then provided in PDF format.
Why isn't there a practical test or CPR requirement?
A one minute choreographed routine is not indicative of instructor ability. Employers know this, that's why they audition. Being certified doesn't mean you are ready to teach a class. It takes working with a senior instructor as an apprentice to become skilled at teaching. This is why we recommend working with another instructor if you are a new instructor. This is standard industry practice anyway. We are probably the only organization that readily admits that we only certify your academic credentials. Anything more is assuming too much. As with any certification, degree or diploma, the real learning process comes in teaching and working with an experienced instructor. The Group Fitness coordinator is responsible for hiring and is therefore in a position to determine if a person who has the academic credentials (certification) can also demonstrate the choreography, personality and outright teaching ability to be on the staff. These cannot be measured in a written test or in a one minute choreographic demo.
CPR and AED certification may be required by gyms and other fitness employers. IFA does not require CPR certification as a prerequisite for IFA certification; however, fitness professionals should check with their employer to determine its specific CPR and AED training requirements. The American Heart Association offers Heartsaver CPR AED training for individuals with little or no medical training who need CPR and AED training for work or other requirements. Healthcare professionals may instead require Basic Life Support (BLS) training.
Is IFA recognized by all gyms?
Certification requirements vary among gyms, employers and locations, and no certification can be guaranteed to be accepted by every employer. IFA recommends checking with the gym or employer where you plan to work before choosing a certification program. Some employers maintain lists of certifications they accept or may have their own education, experience, CPR or other requirements.
Is this certification for Group Fitness Instructor or Certified Personal Trainer?
Both. Our course is designed to provide the basic knowledge that we feel a Group Fitness Instructor and Certified Personal Trainer should have. Many Group Fitness Instructors are asked very technical questions about fitness. That kind of knowledge places them in a category of Personal Trainers; and, they should be expected to know more than music and counts of 8. In essence, a Group Fitness Instructor, by our definition, should be all that a Certified Personal Trainer is and more. Unfortunately, in some cases Group Fitness is sometimes still considered where it's roots are based, i.e. dance. A Certified Personal Trainer should be knowledgeable in all three areas of fitness, i.e., Group Fitness, Weight Training and Nutrition with a general understanding of motivational psychology.
There are a few ambiguous terms in the fitness industry. Some organizations interchange the titles Group Fitness Instructor and Group Fitness Trainer. Some interchange Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. We use the title Group Fitness and Personal Trainer to remove any ambiguity. Many people in the industry are unaware of the accepted terminology or have their own. The decisive factor is the insurance company. Our instructors work as both Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors and our certification is recognized by the insurance industry as both. Quite frankly, we prefer Fitness Instructor for both because they should be one certification. We've never heard of people coming up after class and asking questions about choreography but they do ask Personal Trainer questions.
Are CEUs required for recertification?
No Mandatory CEUs: We don't require CEUs for recertification. Why? Because we know that one random course every two years doesn't equal growth. Real education happens every day through books, research, university courses, and the vast resources of the digital age. We encourage you to stay curious-on your own terms.
What is required for recertification?
The recertification process is the same every two years. You simply download the IFA Professional Fitness Manual, take the test on the website and pay the same certification fee on the website as well.
How long will it take to get my Certification Card and Certificate?
You will be receiving your Card and Certificate in pdf format within 24 hours. You can also print out a certificate from the website within 24 hours of payment using the Get Certificate link. Your employer or insurance company can also use the Verify Instructor link to verify your certification prior to email delivery.
How can I pay for the certification?
You can pay for your certification using the PayHere page. You can use a credit card or various other payment methods. If you have problems with the credit card see the Payment Problems link on the left panel or send us an email using the link at the bottom of this page.
How do I pay if I took the test a month ago?
You can pay using the PayHere page. If your address or email is different from what you entered on the test, you can still pay first but let us know of the change by email.
How do I pay for my employees?
If you are paying for your employees, please let us know by email who you are paying for. Their CI numbers are helpful but not necessary. Certification Cards and Certificates are provided in PDF format after payment and certification requirements have been completed. You can still pay using any of the payment methods available on the website.
What if I don't pass the first time?
If you don't pass the exam the first time, your results will show which questions you answered incorrectly, but the correct answers will not be provided. Review the appropriate sections of the IFA Professional Fitness Manual and retake the exam when you are ready. You may retake the exam, although the testing system limits the number of attempts to prevent abuse.
How many times can I take the test?
You may retake the exam if you do not pass, but the number of attempts is limited by our testing system to prevent abuse. If you are having difficulty passing the exam, we recommend reviewing the appropriate sections of the IFA Professional Fitness Manual before trying again.
Can you send me a copy of the book?
The IFA Fitness ABCs manual is available free by download here as well as from Amazon.
I'm not comfortable with paying online. Can I phone it in?
If you are not comfortable paying online, you may also mail a check. Online payments are processed using secure encrypted connections. As with any financial transaction, customers should make payments only through trusted websites and should verify that they are using IFA's official website before entering payment information.
Is IFA's certification valid in my country?
IFA has certified fitness professionals in more than 90 countries worldwide. Certification requirements and recognition vary by country, region and employer, so we recommend checking local requirements and the requirements of prospective employers before obtaining certification.
Is the IFA Professional Fitness Manual (Fitness ABCs) available in another language?
Yes. The IFA Professional Fitness Manual (Fitness ABCs) is available for download in multiple languages in PDF format. Visit our Download Page to see the languages currently available. Additional website content may also be translated using the translation tool provided on the site.
Do you offer liability insurance?
For our US members, IFA recommends K & K Insurance Group for liability insurance or call them at 800-648-6406 (US). Members outside the United States should check with insurance providers in their country for coverage available to fitness professionals.
Why can't I get my credit card approved?
If your payment is declined, first make sure that the billing information you entered matches the information associated with your payment method. Your bank or payment provider may also decline a transaction for security or other reasons. For additional help, see our Payment Problems page or choose another available payment method from the PayHere page.
What can I do with this certification?
IFA's Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor certification is a combined certification that provides the academic foundation for working as a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. Individual gyms and employers may have additional requirements for particular classes, equipment or specialized fitness programs. Instructors should work within the scope of their education, training and experience and obtain additional training or certification when appropriate for a specialized activity.
Can you share test answers with other individuals?
No. Exam questions and answers may not be shared with other individuals. IFA uses safeguards to help identify improper exam activity and abuse of the testing system. Suspected violations may be reviewed, and certification may be denied or revoked when examination policies have been violated.
Can I use the letters "PT" after my name once certified as a Personal Trainer?
No. IFA-certified Personal Trainers may use the designation CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). PT commonly refers to a Physical Therapist, a licensed healthcare professional who evaluates and treats conditions affecting movement and physical function. Personal Trainers should not represent themselves as Physical Therapists or provide services outside the scope of personal training. Clients with injuries, medical conditions or rehabilitation needs should be referred to an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Personal Trainers can work with clients following medical or rehabilitation guidance when appropriate and within their professional scope.
Can I use the letters "SN" after my name once certified as a Sports Nutritionist?
IFA-certified Sports Nutritionists may use the designation SN (Sports Nutritionist) to identify their IFA certification. Sports nutrition guidance should be provided within the scope of fitness and athletic training, such as helping clients understand general nutrition principles that support exercise, performance and recovery. Laws governing nutrition-related professional titles and services vary by state and country, so instructors should follow all applicable local requirements. Clients who require medical nutrition therapy, therapeutic diets or nutrition treatment for a medical condition should be referred to an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
What is the minimum age for certification?
IFA can certify individuals under the age of 18; however, certification does not necessarily mean that a person under 18 is eligible to work as a fitness professional. Age requirements for employment and professional liability insurance may vary by employer, insurance provider and location. Individuals under 18 should check these requirements before seeking employment or providing fitness services.
Where can I get an IFA logo for my business cards?
Certified IFA instructors may use the IFA logo on their business cards and other professional materials. You can download the IFA logo here. The Gym House also offers pre-made IFA business card templates for certified instructors.
As a trainer, can I fitness train children?
According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), children and adolescents can benefit from appropriately designed and supervised fitness programs. Exercise should be suitable for the child's age, developmental level, coordination and experience, with an emphasis on safety, proper technique and enjoyment. Fitness activities designed for adults may need to be modified for younger participants. Instructors should also follow facility policies and any applicable requirements for youth participation.
The NSCA states that children and adolescents can safely participate in resistance training when the program is properly designed, supervised and appropriate for their age, maturity and experience. Emphasis should be placed on proper technique, controlled movements and gradual progression rather than lifting maximal weights. Young participants should receive qualified supervision and should not attempt exercises or resistance levels beyond their ability to perform safely.
Training the elderly or infirm requires special consideration and training.
What is the rate for Independent Personal Trainers working at gyms?
Rates and arrangements for independent Personal Trainers vary by gym, location and the services provided. Trainers should discuss compensation, facility fees, client scheduling, insurance requirements and other terms directly with the gym before beginning work. Some facilities may pay trainers for sessions, while others may charge independent trainers for the use of their facilities. Make sure the terms of the arrangement are clearly understood before accepting clients at a facility.
What letters can I use after my name once I am certified at the Advanced Level?
IFA offers a Master-level certification for each of its five certification programs. Master certification recognizes a higher level of education and achievement within the selected specialty. See our Master Certification Programs page for current requirements and available Master certifications.
What is a "CI Number"?
When you take an IFA certification exam for the first time, you are assigned a Certified Instructor (CI) number. Your CI number is your personal IFA identification number and remains the same for all IFA certifications and recertifications. Keep your CI number for future use when taking exams, making payments or recertifying.