Several states are now in the process of seeking to create a mandatory licensure for Personal Trainers which may include requiring a 4 year degree. I believe this to be a huge mistake for the industry if we allow this to occur. (I did a mind map of my thoughts on this. Can be found here)

Let me see if I can organize my thoughts here for you.

Pros:

  1. Greater Respect
  2. Possible Greater Pay (mostly based on deminished supply)
  3. Insurance May Cover Personal Training
  4. Greater Safety and Effectiveness for Clients

Cons:

  1. Loss of 1/2 of Existing Personal Training Workforce by not meeting requirements. i.e. degree (OK, half is a guess, but I bet it’s not far off)
  2. Greater Limitations of What a Personal Trainers May Do – There will be a very clearly defined scope of practice that will eliminate many areas that we may currently be training in. i.e. special pops.
  3. Being Degreed or Licensed Does Not Mean Better – Still Only Setting Minimum Competency and Text Knowledge Does Not Mean Practical Knowledge

Questions:

  1. Who Will Be Determining the Standards?
  2. Who Will Be Writing the Exam? I’ve been on the NSCA-CPT Exam Development Committee for 6 years. Writing exam questions is a very specialized process that I’m still trying to get better at.
  3. What Will the Costs Be? Fees, Insurances, etc.
  4. What Ongoing Paperwork Will Be Required? “Patient” Documentation?

In My Opinion:

  1. There Will Not Be Enough Licensed Personal Trainers to Meet the Needs of Clubs or Potential Clients
  2. Prices Will Be Driven Up Making It More Difficult To Afford for Some
  3. Will Drive the Creation of a Professional Level Below the Personal Trainer. A Level That Would Be Cost Less With the Potential of Being Very Effective. i.e. Fitness Coach, Health/Fitness Facilitator, Fitness Guide, yada, yada.
  4. I Believe….. In My Opinion… that Licensure Would Hurt the Personal Training Industry.

The NSCA Just Released This Statement

NSCA statement on Licensure for Personal Trainers(.pdf file) 

I’d love to hear your comments/thoughts on this topic. 

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