Comments on: Personal Trainers Licensure

By: Mark Nutting

Mark Nutting — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:40:21 +0000

Thank you all for your comments and the discussion is not a closed topic. What do others think?
PS RSS feed is at the top right on this page.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:00:07 +0000

I think licensing is a good thing. I personally have no problem with trainers needinga a degree. IF not a degree it should at least be a school certification like cosmetology. If you need a license and formal schooling to cut hair then shouldnt we expect much more out of a trainer.

I also belive ther needs to be a clearly stated scope of practice without this it can leave you open to law suits. Many trainers go way beyond what they should and give bad advice to their clients.

if a license is given without a degree there should be more than one level with different scope of what each can do jsut like CNA, LPN, RN and nurse practioners, they are all licensed and allowed to do different things, you should be acknowledged and rewearded for additional schooling

By: Baseball Caps Wholesale

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By: Baseball Hats Wholesale

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By: Bob Brodt

Bob Brodt — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:23:35 +0000

Mark, I do believe that some sort of standards of practice or licensure is necessary for personal trainers. I would suggest that a core of basic classes be mandatory before anyone can obtain a certification. These classes would include anatomy,physiology, study of movement, first aid/cpr and basic exercise techniques. These would not have to be upper level college courses but ones that could be taken at a technical college or 2 year college. I have recently talked with individuals who are personal trainers that have no knowledge of how the body works or even the proper technique in doing exercises but are certified trainers. I find this very alarming because it in my opinion hurts the entire strength and conditioning field. In closing licensure might be the one way to eliminate the many unqualified individuals who claim to be personal trainers.

By: John Tzor (JT)

John Tzor (JT) — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:02:22 +0000

Hi all,

I agree with almost all of what Mark is saying, and I do also agree with Ev’ sentiment about having “standards.” Some certifying agencies have taken proactive steps recently, (ACE, ACSM, amongst others) and have begun to abide by NCCA standards of certification. I believe that to be a step in the right direction. I currently live in NJ (moved from Brooklyn, NY 3 years ago) where the state is attempting to pass some of the most all encompassing and restrictive measures regarding personal training in the entire country. There have been petitions circulated to stop the measure from passing.

In summary, I do believe that standards of practice (scope of practice, credentials) need to be narrowly and clearly defined, as this will help our profession by weeding out some unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. However, the steps should be carefully chosen so as to not cripple the industry from the service side altogether.

Warmest Regards to all,

– JT

By: admin

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:20:43 +0000

Hey Ev,
If the process were as simple as taking an exam (like the NSCA-CPT), I’d have less of a problem with it. I do believe that Personal Trainers need to be “qualified”. It’s how and by whom “qualified” is being judged. I am a believer that a degree is not necessary. It’s definately a plus, but not necessary.

I do also worry about the restrictions that may be placed on Personal Trainers. Just ask the ATCs and PTs when they were required to be licensed.

Thanks, Ev

By: Everett

Everett — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:45:36 +0000

Mark,

I think that to be against licensure sends the message that it is not important for fitness trainers to be qualified. I do agree with you that a four-year degree should not be necessary, which jives with the NSCA-CPT education standard. So why would it be so bad to have a licensure that did not require a college degree? If we really want this to be a profession, we need some standards.