The ACTION Personal Trainer Certification is absolutely free. You can download our 300 page textbook, study and pass the exam, and become a certified personal trainer without ever paying any money to ACTION Certification. However, we offer a bundle of extras including live instruction and teacher support for only $65 (currently on sale for $34.95). We think you will want to upgrade. (Please note that PSI/Lasergrade charges a $60 test center fee).

It’s a numbers game really. We can either provide a high quality education and certification program to a few people or we can make the same program accessible to thousands of people. We want to be the largest certification provider for personal trainers. The only way to do that is to radically change the way our industry operates.

We think the emphasis needs to be on education rather than just certification. We have seen too many certified personal trainers who have no idea what they are doing. This lack of quality control is devaluing our industry. So by making a quality education available at a reasonable price, we can produce highly qualified personal trainers and dramatically alter the way this industry operates.

We submitted our final application in September 2012. It was a two year effort. We expect to hear back from the NCCA in early 2013 (yes, it is a slow process). The exam that has been submitted for NCCA Accreditation is now available at over 250 testing centers across North America. If you pass the exam in a testing center, you do not need to do anything else once the NCCA grants full accreditation. Update: April 2013 - The NCCA asked us to submit a few more documents and provide some minor clarifications. Hope to have an answer by early summer 2013.

We think so. We aggressively work with the major chains to educate the hiring managers on the benefits of ACTION Personal Trainer Certification. Our emphasis on education, live instruction, and practical knowledge are very attractive to gyms looking for personal trainers that can be effective from the first day. Our Pro Plan members get access to our private job board which has hundreds of personal training jobs available.

Not at this time. We currently offer email, chat and webinar (screen-sharing) support. We use these more efficient methods to keep our costs and prices down. Phone support is very inefficient. Our staff can answer about 60 emails an hour compared to 5-10 phone calls during the same time. However, we recognize that certain issues are better handled over the phone. In these circumstances our support staff and instructors can escalate to a phone call.

There are no time limits. You can attend online classes, get support and use all the tools as long as you like...even after you pass the exam.

Let’s start with the similarities. Both the basic plan and the pro plan offer the exact same personal trainer certification, same textbook, same exam. The main difference is the level of support you receive. The Basic plan is free but offers little support or extras. The Pro Plan gives you access to valuable benefits like Live Instruction, video library of all recorded classes, flash cards and unlimited practice exams to help you study. Also thrown in is 24/7 email support from instructors, career guidance and a private job board, plus much more. Check out our comparison table for the full breakdown of the differences.

No. A credit card is only required if you purchase something or if you start your optional free 10 week trial for the ACTION Personal Training System. When you star your free trial we do a $1 authorization on the card (not a charge, no money is transferred). Once this authorization is completed, we immediately void it so it has no effect on your account or available spending limit.

Yes.

Once you register for the certification, you can login and download the textbook. It is in PDF format and can be transferred to other computers, mobile devices, iphones and e-book readers. You can also print it out. There is also a Kindle version and a hard copy of the book available for an additional charge.

The textbook is available for immediate download and printing. However, you can purchase a hard copy of the 314 page textbook for $29.95 and have it shipped to you (free shipping).

We have released a Kindle version of the textbook. You can download the free Kindle Reader App for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows Mobile in your device's app store. Once the Kindle reader is installed, you can search the Kindle Library for "ACTION Certification" or just use this link to the Amazon Kindle Library.

You can also access the textbook on your Kindle device by searching the Kindle Library for "ACTION Certification" or just use this link to the Amazon Kindle Library.

Once you register for the Pro Plan, you can login and access your personal portal page that contains links to many extra resources.

We hold training classes using web conferencing technology. You can watch the instructors live presentation on your screen and participate in the classroom through your telephone or computer speakers. You can ask questions and share your insights with the class. Class schedules vary to allow as many people as possible to attend.

We record each of the online classes. So if you miss one, you can download the recording and watch it at your convenience.

You can ask questions during the online classes. You can also submit questions to your instructor and other students through our discussion forums.

The online certificate exam offers a convenient way to earn a certificate in personal training.

Our certification exam which has been submitted for NCCA Accreditation enables you to earn full certification and the title of "Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)".

Yes. In any order you want. Many people will elect to use the online exam as a warm up for the full certification exam.

By far, the exam submitted for NCCA Accreditation and taken in secure testing centers is superior to the online certificate exam. We recommend taking it if you are in the United States. You can still take the online certificate exam as a warm up for the full certification exam.

The Online Certificate exam can be taken directly from your portal after logging in to your account.

The ACTION Certification exam submitted for NCCA Accreditation must be taken at a PSI/Lasergrade Test Center.

Locating a Test Center Near You

You can locate the test center nearest you by going to the PSI/Lasergrade web site.

1. Select "Certification/Professional Associations" from the drop down list
2. Select "ACTION Certification" from the second drop down list
3. Select the radio button next to the exam name "ACTION Certified Personal Trainer Examination"
4. Click the Continue Button
5. Enter your zip code and then select your location that will appear immediately below the search box. If you don't select the location from the list, your search will produce no results.
6. Click the search button

If you fail the exam, you can retake the exam. PSI/Lasergrade will charge you $60 each time you take the exam. You must wait one day before scheduling to take the exam again. The online certificate exam can be taken again by paying a $35 retest fee.

We actually don't charge anything. But PSI/Lasergrade charges $60 each time you take the exam to cover their costs of operating the test center.
We charge the $35 online certificate exam retest fee to encourage people to be well prepared the first time they take the exam.

The ACTION Certification exam built to NCCA Accreditation standards is available at over 250 test centers across the United States and Canada.

Exam Details

There are 150 multiple choice questions.

You have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.

You must get 70% or more to pass the exam.

Upon completing the exam, your exam will be graded immediately and you will be issued a score report. Please keep this score report. PSI/Lasergrade will automatically send us your score within 2 business days. But in the event an error occurs, your score report is your proof of passing the exam.

If you fail the exam, there is no waiting period. You can reschedule to take the exam again. PSI/Lasergrade will charge you their $60 testing fee each time you take the exam so make sure you are prepared.

The exam covers all the subjects included in the textbook including anatomy, biomechanics, client assessment, program design, safety, legal and business topics. You should understand (not memorize) these concepts. Our Pro Plan gives you access to flash cards and practice exams that further emphasize the concepts that are included on the exam.

Definitely. If you have prior experience in the fitness industry or have a background in exercise science, you can pass the exam. Also, if you are a good book learner, you can pass the exam. But if neither of those things apply to you, then we recommend taking advantage of all the instructions and educational extras that are available through the Pro plan.

Upon passing the exam, you can download your personalized certificate you can use to help get your first job. If you are a Pro Plan member, you also have access to a personalized letter of recommendation, career counselors, and our private job board.

Yes, you must recertify every two years. The cost is $65. This is hundreds of dollars less expensive than any of the other certifications.

Our main certification program covers the principles required to train these populations. You don’t need to purchase additional certifications.