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| Step 1: Is Personal Training Right for Me?  Step 2: Get Certified Step 3: Get the Job Step 4: Launch Your Business Step 5: Expand Your Income
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NCCA Accreditation Explained
Myth: Certification Programs are Accredited by the GovernmentThis myth will depend on where you live. If you are in the United States, there is no uniform regulations applying to the personal training industry. If you are in the UK or Australia, the government regulates the industry and requires prospective trainers to pass standardized exams. So where do these accrediting agencies like NOCA who provides NCCA Accreditation come from? They are actually non-government organization. They can be for profit or non-profit. And anybody can open up shop and claim to accredit personal training education and certification programs. Myth: NCCA Accreditation = Quality ProgramGiven this unregulated environment people are looking toward accreditation to help them find a quality certification program. That's understandable. But consumers need to understand what NCCA accreditation actually means and what test providers need to do to be accredited. Basically, the process requires the organization to fill out a long application and pay an application fee of $1600 and pay annual dues of up to $7000 per year. You can download a copy of the NCCA accreditation application here. One of the things you will notice is that the application doesn't dive into details of what personal trainers actually need to learn. It is more around the makeup of the organization, the resumes of the executives, and the statistical controls around the certification exam. While these are all important factors, none of these things guarantee that you will get a quality education and be an effective personal trainer once certified. In fact NOCA states the following on their web site:
So an organization can have well documented processes but the content of their program is irrelevant to receive NCCA accreditation. Myth: NCCA Accreditation is Fitness-Industry SpecificThe quote from their web site above dispels this myth. The fact is that any organization in any industry that has well defined process and pays their fees can become NCCA accredited. Accredited organizations include radiologists, nurses, and counselors.
So is NCCA Accreditation Bad?Absolutely not. It is just important to understand what it is and isn't.
Should I Choose an NCCA Accredited Certification Program?You should choose the program that will give you the best education and preparation for your new career as a personal trainer. The role of accreditation should only play a minor role in this decision. But here are some things to consider. If you are planning on working in a gym as an employee, they are more likely to request an NCCA accredited program. This varies dramatically from gym to gym usually depending on the business manager's experience or favorite certs. Be sure to ask the gym manager what programs they accept. If you plan to open your own business, then paying extra for an NCCA accredited certification doesn't really make much sense. Most clients will learn about you through positive word of mouth. They are unlikely to ask about your certification and they definitely won't ask about the accrediting agency behind your certification. Bottomline: Choose the certification program where you can learn the most.
What do you think about NCCA Accreditation?You have read my take on it.. now tell us what you think about accrediting personal trainer certifications. NCCA Accreditation DiscussionsCheck out what other people are saying about Personal Training accreditation.
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AFPA and NCCA Accreditation
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I get a lot of people asking me to recommend an accredited school or certification. But almost nobody understands what accreditation means. Let's start by dispelling some of the myths surround personal Trainer accreditation. 
