The IFPA provides a Certification Certificate only to those who pass The IFPA Personal Trainer Certification Exam. When the IFPA receives an enquiry as to the credentials of someone claiming to be IFPA Certified, or if there is any other reason to suspect that the IFPA-CPFT credential is being used inappropriately, IFPA personnel are authorized to confirm if the person in question is currently Certified or not.

If the person in question is not IFPA Certified, the IFPA will gather as much information on the person and the false claims they are making as possible. The person will be contacted by email, mail or phone to cease and desist their fraudulent claims immediately and that they are currently under investigation for making false claims, illegal use of the IFPA Name, Logo and other IFPA Property. This property is Federally Protected under International Copyright and Trademark Law.

If the individual does not respond to our enquiry, ensuring us they have immediately removed the infringing material from IFPA Designation of being a Personal Fitness Trainer, the IFPA will move forward and take legal action against the individual.

Appeals for Denied Eligibility

The IFPA reserves the right to reject any registration application that does not meet the specified IFPA eligibility requirements. If a registration application for an IFPA Certification Exam is not accepted, an individual can appeal and request the application be reviewed again.

The appeal must include a detailed explanation of the reason(s) why the individual believes they should be IFPA eligible, plus all supporting documentation. All IFPA eligibility appeals must be submitted for review via mail, email, or fax to:

IFPA Credentialing Department: P.O.Box 46248
Tampa, FL 33646

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 813.979.1978

IFPA Eligibility appeals will be reviewed and responded to within 30 working days of their receipt. Individuals submitting the appeal will receive notice that their IFPA eligibility appeal was either “approved” with instructions for moving forward with IFPA exam registration, or “denied” with notification of the reason for the denial. Individuals who have an IFPA eligibility appeal denied can submit a new eligibility appeal if they have additional supporting documentation that meets the requirements noted in the denial.

Disciplinary Procedures

The professional practices and disciplinary procedures of the International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA) are intended to assist and inform IFPA certificants, candidates for certification, and the public of the IFPA Application and Certification Standards relative to professional conduct and disciplinary procedures. IFPA may revoke or otherwise take action with regard to the application or IFPA certification of an individual in the case of:

• Ineligibility for IFPA certification
• Irregularity in connection with any IFPA certification examination
• Unauthorized possession, use, access, or distribution of IFPA certification examinations, score reports, trademarks, logos, written materials, answer sheets, certificates, certificant or applicant files, or other confidential or proprietary IFPA documents or materials (registered or otherwise)
• Ineligibility for IFPA certification
• Irregularity in connection with any IFPA certification examination
• Unauthorized possession, use, access, or distribution of IFPA certification examinations, score reports, trademarks, logos, written materials, answer sheets, certificates, certificant or applicant files, or other confidential or proprietary IFPA documents or materials (registered or otherwise)
• Material misrepresentation or fraud in any statement to IFPA or to the public, including, but not limited to, statements made to assist the applicant, certificant, or another to apply for, obtain, or retain IFPA certification
• Any physical, mental, or emotional condition of either a temporary or permanent nature, including, but not limited to, substance abuse, which impairs or has the potential to impair competent and objective professional performance
• Negligent and/or intentional misconduct in professional work, including, but not limited to, physical or emotional abuse, disregard for safety, or the unauthorized release of confidential information
• The timely conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo contendere in connection with a felony or misdemeanor, which is directly related to public health and/or fitness instruction or education, which impairs competent and objective professional performance. These include, but are not limited to, rape, sexual abuse of a client, actual or threatened use of a weapon of violence, and the prohibited sale, distribution, or possession with intent to distribute, of a controlled substance.
• Failure to meet the requirements for IFPA certification or recertification.

IFPA has developed a three-tiered disciplinary process of review, hearing, and appeals to ensure fair and unbiased examination of alleged violation(s) of the Application and IFPA Certification Standards in order to (1) determine the merit of allegations; and (2) impose appropriate sanctions as necessary to protect the public and the integrity of the certification process.

Reconsideration For Other Adverse Certification Decisions

All other consideration for adverse IFPA certification decisions is dealt with on a case by case basis.

The candidate/member must submit an appeal include a detailed explanation of the reason(s) why the individual believes they should be eligible, plus all supporting documentation. All appeals must be submitted for review via mail, email, or fax to:

IFPA Credentialing Department: P.O.Box 46248
Tampa, FL 33646

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 813.979.1978

All appeals with be reviewed and responded to within 30 working days of their receipt. Individuals submitting the appeal will receive notice that their appeal was either “approved” with instructions for moving forward or “denied” with notification of the reason for the denial. Individuals who have an appeal denied can submit a new eligibility appeal if they have additional supporting documentation that meets the requirements noted in the denial.

Special Accommodations from IFPA:

Candidates with a special testing need will be accommodated as best as possible. Special accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their request. Examinees who have a documented disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or a scheduling conflict due to a religious Sabbath or a military appointment may request special accommodations.

You must indicate any need for accommodations during the registration process. Candidates requesting testing accommodations may not register online. All Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) candidates must submit proper documentation to support ADA requests. All Military Candidates must submit proper documentation to verify their Military status. This documentation must be submitted, along with a completed registration form, at least 20 to 30 days prior to the requested exam date.

Please contact IFPA Testing Department at 800.785.1924, Ext. 310 for further assistance.

Examples of typical accommodations include:

• Extended time
• Breaks
• Reading and seeing accommodations
• Permission for food/medicine
• Alternative test site (with proctor present)
• Wheelchair accessibility

IFPA CERTIFICATION COMMISSION
Chairman of the IFPA-CC: Renee Kapsner (Commissioner of Seat 4)

Seat 1: Science Member
Dr. Tom Kruger

Seat 2: Science Member
Dr. Amyas Kabir

Seat 3: Member at Large
Dr. Karl Dauphinais, MD

Seat 4: Member at Large
Renee Kapsner, MS, RD

Seat 5: Public Member
Brian Ahern

Seat 1: Science Member
Sciences Members must have a minimum of a Masters Degree and preferably Doctoral Level Degrees such as MD, DO, DCM, PhD, etc. in a medical exercise or nutrition related field. They must also have a minimum of 5 years of practical experience as an exercise or nutrition Practitioner, highly dedicated to the fitness, health and nutrition Scope of Practice and IFPA Certified for a minimum of 2 years.

Seat 2: Science Member
Sciences Members must have a minimum of a Masters Degree and preferably Doctoral Level Degrees such as MD, DO, DCM, PhD, etc. in a medical exercise or nutrition related field. They must also have a minimum of 5 years of practical experience as an exercise or nutrition Practitioner, highly dedicated to the fitness, health and nutrition Scope of Practice and IFPA Certified for a minimum of 2 years.

Seat 3: Member at Large
Must be current in their IFPA Certification. They must also have a minimum of 5 years of practical experience as an exercise or nutrition Practitioner, highly dedicated to the fitness, health and nutrition Scope of Practice and IFPA Certified for a minimum of 2 years.

Seat 4: Member at Large
Must be current in their IFPA Certification. They must also have a minimum of 5 years of practical experience as an exercise or nutrition Practitioner, highly dedicated to the fitness, health and nutrition Scope of Practice and IFPA Certified for a minimum of 2 years.

Seat 5: Public Member
Not to be a member of the IFPA or the personal training industry. The Public Member represents the general public and therefore the potential clientele of the personal training industry. While the other four seats are tasked with working for the continuous improvement of the industry, the Public Member will act to represent the population we serve and ensure that all actions the IFPA Certification Commission takes are in the best interest of the public. The Public Member will be appointed by the IFPA-CC Chairman.
*All members of the IFPA-CC must be Stakeholders in IFPA-PFT- Certification. This requires them to remain current as IFPA certified PFTs. Except for the Public Member (Seat 5) as described above. Failure to remain a Stakeholder will result in expulsion from the IFPA-CC.

Disciplinary Procedures

The IFPA’s code of ethics and guidelines are in place to protect the public and the profession. By becoming an IFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer you agree to follow the code of ethics and guidelines.

The IFPA reserves the right to reprimand, suspend or revoke a member’s certification or take action for the following reasons:

1. Cheating or collaboration on the exam. If a student is found cheating the student will be failed automatically. Any right to retake the exam at a reduced rate will be forfeited and the student will be required to re-register for the certification paying the full registration fee.
2. Unauthorized use of IFPA proprietary materials and or copyright infringement.
3. Behavior that disregards the safety and rights of the client.

If a consumer or other party makes a complaint against an IFPA Certified trainer, the certificant will be notified of the complaint by certified mail. A written statement concerning the complaint is required by the certificant to the IFPA Certification Committee. Upon review of complaint, and evidence the Committee will determine if further investigation is warranted.

The Certification Committee will forward complaints that require detailed investigation to the Professional Review Committee. This Committee will consult with the IFPA Board of Directors. If the certification is revoked, the certificant will be notified and allowed to appeal the decision within 30 days. All information regarding the candidate will remain confidential.

Special Accommodations

If you require special accommodations for testing due to disability or other reason you must provide a written request with your completed registration form. Disabled candidates (visual, sensory or physical disability) must provide documentation of disability by a licensed professional (as stipulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act). The IFPA will try its best to accommodate your request and reserves the right to review request for reasonableness. Reasonable accommodations do not include steps that fundamentally alter the purpose or nature of the examination. Request must be received 6 weeks prior to exam date.

Qualified Individual with a Disability

A “qualified individual with a disability” is one who has a disability and satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other requirements of the service, program or activity of which he or she is being measured; and with or without accommodations, can perform the essential functions of the service, program, or activity. An essential function is one that individuals are required to perform, and removing that function would fundamentally change the service, program, or activity. A person must be a “qualified individual with a disability” to be protected under the ADA.

Fair & Equal Treatment of IFPA Students

The IFPA does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of gender, ethnicity, background, age, religion, marital status, national origin or physical disability.

Confidentiality

All candidate information provided including eligibility, registration and testing information will remain confidential. Scores will not be provided to students over the phone. This policy helps to maintain confidentiality for the student and helps ensure accuracy of results. Test results are provided with a certificate or by letter to the applicant. Results will not be released to a third party without written authorization. The IFPA can verify to the public the certification status. No scores or other confidential information will be given out.

Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Exam Format

The IFPA Personal Trainer Certification Exam is designed to assess the readiness of candidate’s knowledge, skills and abilities in order for candidates to train future clients safely and effectively. The exam is paper based and candidates are given 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam. The exam consists of 110 questions; with 100 scored and 10 experimental questions. The 10 experimental questions are not included in the candidate’s score. They are spread throughout the exam and are used for statistical purposes only. An 80% is required to pass the exam.

The IFPA conducted a Job Analysis Survey that identified the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) necessary for the entry level Personal Trainer. The information obtained from the Job Analysis Survey formed the blueprint for the content of the Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Exam. The Job Analysis Survey (JAS) determines the seven (7) domains that are the categories for the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) that were determined to be essential for the personal trainer (the 7 domains are listed in the charts below). The JAS also determined the importance frequency of the KSA and therefore, what percentage of questions should come from each domain.

Administering the Exam

For Live Test Sites:

Exams are administered by proctors trained by the IFPA Certification Commission. Be sure to bring proof of payment. A valid ID with your name, signature and photograph is required. Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment for check-in procedures. If you arrive later, you may not be admitted, and your test fee will be forfeited. No cell phones, smart phones, PDAs and other electronic, listening, recording and photographic devices are permitted. No study materials of any kind will be permitted with you during the examination.

The exam must be taken within six months of registering for the certification exam. All correspondence regarding proctors and proctored exams will be conducted via e-mail or fax. Any additional questions can be sent to [email protected] .

*Note

Do not set up your proctored exam if you are not ready to test. Sign up for testing if you are ready to test within 2-3 weeks. Proctors are not permitted to hold IFPA Exams.

You must submit proper paperwork to sign up for a proctored exam 2 weeks prior to testing.

Some testing locations may require a proctoring fee to be paid at the time of testing directly to the proctor by the candidate. Candidates will be notified prior to taking the test with confirmation of the test location, date, and time. If this occurs submit the receipt of payment to the IFPA for a credit of the amount to be made to your IFPA account.

Please allow 10-14 business days for receipt and processing of the exam.

What to Bring to Your Examination

Live Test Site

1. Plan to arrive at the certification site 20 minutes early. Be sure to bring a photo ID and pen/pencil. All students must have a valid photo ID to gain admittance to the certification examination.

2. Only the individual named on the registration roster will be permitted to take the examination. No substitutions are allowed.

3. No visitors are allowed in the exam room at any time.

4. Candidates may not bring any other personal items (other than those listed in (1)) into the exam room. This includes, but is not limited to: books, book bags, briefcases, papers of any kind, cell phones, coats, electronic devices (including calculators), pagers, purses, phones, etc.

5. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Any inappropriate behavior will be cause for immediate removal. 20

6. All candidates are required to conduct themselves with the highest level of ethics and professionalism. Cheating will not be tolerated. The IFPA Certification Commission will fully investigate any and all allegations of cheating.

7. All candidates are required to maintain the integrity of the IFPA Examination Process. Copying, memorizing, discussing, or in any way attempting to steal questions from the IFPA Exam is an ethical violation and a violation of International Copyright Laws. The IFPA Certification Commission (IFPA-CC) goes to great lengths to develop IFPA-CC Exams. Any attempt to steal questions from the exam will be thoroughly investigated by the IFPA-CC and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

8. Once the exam begins, a candidate is not permitted to talk or look at any other person or their exam. A candidate must not question the proctor. The proctor is responsible for administering the exam and guaranteeing the integrity of the IFPA Certification Commission Exam process by ensuring that there will be no cheating. The proctor is not permitted to answer any questions once the exam has begun.

9. If a candidate believes that a test question (or questions) was misleading, confusing, or inaccurate in any way, he or she may request an “IFPA Certification Commission Exam Discrepancy Form” after the exam time expires. The candidate is advised to list the nature of the discrepancy using as much detail as possible. The Exam Committee reviews each and every comment, and where necessary, appropriate action will be taken. Individual responses will not be provided to the candidate. A candidate’s decision to submit a discrepancy form will not affect his or her exam score.

10. A candidate must ask for permission to leave the exam area during the exam. The candidate will be allowed seven minutes to return to the exam, during which time the candidate is not permitted to discuss the exam with any other party. Delays beyond the time limit may preclude a candidate’s re-admission to the exam. The candidate will NOT be granted additional time to make up for his or her absence.

For Live Remote Proctoring (LPR)

1. At the time of your exam, you are required to show proof of a valid, current government-issued Photo ID. The credential will be verified by the proctor before you are permitted to begin the exam. Failure to provide proof of your valid ID at the time of your test will result in a mandatory rescheduling of your exam.

2. Only the individual named on the registration roster will be permitted to take the examination. No substitutions are allowed.

3. Exam proctors will adhere to the time limit set for the PFT certification examination. If an Accommodation for additional time has been requested and approved, proctors will adhere to the time limit set in the approved accommodation.

4. No additional monitors may be utilized during the examination.

5. The second step of the verification process is for the proctor to verify the security of the testing area/room. They will ask for a scan of the room to ensure that there is no additional documentation present (on the desk, walls, etc..) and no other persons are in the room.

6. Candidates may not bring any other personal items (other than those listed in (1)) into the exam room. This includes, but is not limited to: books, book bags, briefcases, papers of any kind, cell phones, coats, electronic devices (including calculators), pagers, purses, phones, etc.

7. All candidates are required to conduct themselves with the highest level of ethics and professionalism. Cheating will not be tolerated. The IFPA Certification Commission will fully investigate any and all allegations of cheating.

8. All candidates are required to maintain the integrity of the IFPA Examination Process. Copying, memorizing, discussing, or in any way attempting to steal questions from the IFPA Exam is an ethical violation and a violation of International Copyright Laws. The IFPA Certification Commission (IFPA-CC) goes to great lengths to develop IFPA-CC Exams. Any attempt to steal questions from the exam will be thoroughly investigated by the IFPA-CC and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

9. Once the exam begins, a candidate is not permitted to talk. A candidate must not question the proctor. The proctor is responsible for administering the exam and guaranteeing the integrity of the IFPA Certification Commission Exam process by ensuring that there will be no cheating. The proctor is not permitted to answer any questions once the exam has begun.

10. If a candidate believes that a test question (or questions) was misleading, confusing, or inaccurate in any way, he or she may request an “IFPA Certification Commission Exam Discrepancy Form” after the exam time expires. The candidate is advised to list the nature of the discrepancy using as much detail as possible. The Exam Committee reviews each and every comment, and where necessary, appropriate action will be taken. Individual responses will not be provided to the candidate. A candidate’s decision to submit a discrepancy form will not affect his or her exam score.

LPR Additional Requirements

• An environment, free of noise, proper lighting, and seating

• Adequate high-speed internet connection

• A computer compatible with LPR requirements

• To sit for an LRP IFPA Certification Exam, your computer must meet the following technical requirements:

o Webcam installed on your exam workstation

o A webcam with 640×480 video pixel resolution. Note: A laptop camera is acceptable.

o Reliable access to the Internet, as Internet connection disruption will suspend the exam session

o A high-speed internet connection of 2 MBps upload and 2 MBps download. Wireless is acceptable; however, a wired-connection is preferred.

o A well-working computer with 1 GB of RAM or higher

o Working speakers connected to the computer

o A microphone connected to the computer—consider a webcam with a builtin microphone. You must use a computer with administrator access and the computer must have Windows or MAC OS. + VPN must be disabled. o Browser compatibility: Firefox and Google Chrome.

o Mac users will need to download Google Chrome.

o Chromebooks, smart phones, and tablets cannot be used as testing devices.

o Pop-up blockers must be disabled to connect to the exam.

Candidates may be disqualified from taking or continuing forward in the examination process, or from receiving exam results, if IFPA, or ProctorU, and/ or the examination proctor determine, either through direct observation or through statistical analysis, that the candidate engaged in collaborative, disruptive, cheating, or other unacceptable behavior before, during, or following the administration of the IFPA Certification Exam.

Notification of Results

Each candidate is sent a results letter that includes the percentage scored on the exam. Candidates may also request a breakdown of subject areas missed on the exam in order to better understand their strengths and weaknesses in the topics assessed. Complete processing of certification exams and notification of results may take six weeks from the date the IFPA receives the examination(s). Individuals who achieve passing scores will receive their certificates and wallet cards when they are notified of their results.

Rush Processing is available upon request for a fee of $25. With the Rush Processing option, results will be faxed or e-mailed to the candidate within three business days of the IFPA receiving the exam. This option must be selected before the candidate’s examination is received for grading. Results will then be mailed (along with a certificate and wallet card, if applicable) within two weeks.

Scores are only official once assigned at the IFPA headquarters. Proctors are not allowed to review candidates’ examinations on site.

Exam Appeals

Rescoring

Exams are graded at IFPA headquarters. For security reasons, candidates will not be able to review their exam or obtain information on particular test questions. Feedback is welcomed so that the IFPA can review current test items; however, in order to protect the integrity of the exam, no responses will be given to feedback. Quality control measures are in place to monitor the reliability and validity of test scoring. Any candidate who feels that there was an error in test grading and wants his/her exam rescored must submit a written request with reasoning and $10 to:

IFPA Appeals

P.O.Box 46248

Tampa, FL 33646

It is likely that the score will not change. Tests will be regraded one time only no later than 60 days after receipt of original exam.

If there are any deviations from standard testing policies or improper behavior by a proctor or anyone or anything at your examination site, notify the IFPA Appeals Department in writing. Include an explanation of the incident and how it negatively impacted your performance (example: air conditioning/heating failed or was inappropriate). The IFPA will need verification of the event to render a decision. Notification must be made within thirty (30) days of testing to:

IFPA Appeals

 P.O.Box 46248

Tampa, FL 33646

Transfer Policy

You may transfer certification registration to another individual. Verification of payment, a written letter stating who the program was originally sold to, who it will be transferred to and a $50 transfer fee is required. The new candidate must meet eligibility requirements and submit registration form.

Rescheduling the Certification Examination

Any individual who wishes to reschedule his or her certification examination (this includes re-takes) to a different date or location may do so for a rescheduling fee two (2) weeks prior to their exam certification date. (Contact the IFPA for current charges.) The IFPA Policy on retaking examinations is subject to change at the discretion of the IFPA.

Extension Fees

Candidates are allowed to reschedule exam dates; however, the exam must be completed within 6 months of registration. After 1 year the candidate will need to pay the full registration fee to take the exam. Three- or six-month extensions are available for a fee. Contact the IFPA for current prices.

No Show Candidates

Any candidate that wishes to reschedule to a different exam date should do so at least two (2) weeks prior to their original exam date. If the candidate does not reschedule two weeks in advance and does not attend their scheduled exam, the candidate will fall under the classification of “No Show” and your test fee will be forfeited.

Retesting

Individuals who do not receive a minimum score of 80% on the exam will be notified in writing. If a retest voucher was purchased along with a study program, an email notification will be sent informing the candidate a voucher has been added to their account.

If a retest voucher was not purchased along with a study program, candidates may retake the exam for a fee of $99, for a period of 6 months from the date of candidate’s test results.

Candidates who do not pass the certification exam on the first attempt will be allowed to retake the exam after a 10-day waiting period. If the candidate is unsuccessful after the second attempt, he/she will be required to wait 30 days before retaking the exam. If the candidate is unsuccessful after the third attempt, he/she will be required to wait 3 months before retaking the exam. For each repeated failure after the 4th attempt, candidates will be required to wait 1 year before attempting to take the exam again.

IFPA Fitness Career Advisers can provide candidates with study and exam preparation suggestions before they retest. Although exams scores and answers cannot be discussed over the telephone, candidates may request a breakdown of the subject areas that they missed so that they may better focus their study efforts. Candidates should contact their IFPA representative at 1-800-785-1924 if they have any questions.

Verification of Certification Status

The only information the IFPA is allowed to share with the public in the event that someone specifically enquires about your Certification Status is limited. Inquiries can be made by phone to the IFPA Corporate Headquarters by phone: (813) 979-1925, email: [email protected], or mail IFPA P.O.Box 46248
Tampa, FL 33646.

Enquires will ONLY be told your current IFPA Certification Status: (1) Currently Certified; (2) Not Currently Certified; (3) Never Certified. All other information is confidential and will not be shared.

*Note: When you pass the IFPA-CPFT Exam, you will be IFPA Certified for 2 years. Prior to your two year anniversary deadline, you must complete a minimum of 12 CEUS to re-certify for one (1) year or 24 CEUs to re-certify for two more years. The same process must be followed before your certification expires to remain current and a Certified PFT in “Good Standing.” Any enquiries of your Certification will be informed of your current status.

Inappropriate Usage of IFPA-CPFT Designation

The IFPA provides a Certification Certificate only to those who pass The IFPA Personal Trainer Certification Exam. When the IFPA receives an enquiry as to the credentials of someone claiming to be IFPA Certified, or if there is any other reason to suspect that the IFPA-CPFT credential is being used inappropriately, IFPA personnel are authorized to confirm if the person in question is currently Certified or not.

If the person in question is not IFPA Certified, the IFPA will gather as much information on the person and the false claims they are making as possible. The person will be contacted by email, mail or phone to cease and desist their fraudulent claims immediately and that they are currently under investigation for making false claims, illegal use of the IFPA Name, Logo and other IFPA Property. This property is Federally Protected under International Copyright and Trademark Law.

If the individual does not respond to our enquiry, ensuring us they have immediately removed the infringing material from IFPA Designation of being a Personal Fitness Trainer, the IFPA will move forward and take legal action against the individual.

Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Exam Contents

The IFPA conducted a Job Analysis which identified the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for the entry level Personal Trainer. The information obtained from the Job Analysis formed the blueprint for the content of the Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Exam.

The content or domains for the multiple choice exam questions are listed below as well as how many questions are in each domain. There are 105 questions on the multiple choice exam. Five questions are not graded and are for statistical purposes only.

The purpose of the IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification (CPFT) is not only to test on the required sciences but the practical application of the sciences in training the public.

The IFPA held its first certification testing in July 1994. The IFPA was conceived and founded to fulfill a need. At the time of inception, there were certification programs for Personal Fitness Trainers (PFTs) that did an adequate job of testing on the required sciences (anatomy, physiology, exercise science and biomechanics). There were no certifications for PFTs that tested on the precise skills that the entry level PFT would need to know in order to succeed at their career.

The IFPA’s first Job Analysis Survey (JAS) uncovered the skills and knowledge required for the PFT to be both safe and effective. The IFPA’s Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) determined that while a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, exercise science and biomechanics was important, these sciences were irrelevant if the PFT did not know how to apply the information (teaching the proper technique for a squat or other basic exercise movements).

The SMEs also determined that other Personal Training certifications created a potential hazard to the public by excluding the assessment of the vocational skills necessary for the PFT to take a client successfully and safely through an exercise routine. Therefore, the SMEs recommended that for the overall safety of the public, the IFPA PFT certification testing would be required to focus on the practical application of vocational skills.

Denied Eligibility

The IFPA reserves the right to deny registration/applications that do not meet eligibility requirements determined by the IFPA Certification Commission. Appeals to a denied application must be submitted in writing and include an explanation of why you think you should be eligible. Appeals will be reviewed and responded to within 4-6 weeks. Send appeals to:

IFPA Appeals
P.O. Box 46248 Tampa, FL. 33646

Appeal of Examination Results

1. Rescoring

Exams are graded at IFPA headquarters. For security reasons, you will not be able to review the exam or get information on a particular test question. We welcome your feedback in regard to the exam. Quality control measures are in place to monitor the reliability and validity of our test scoring. If you feel there was an error in test grading and want your exam rescored, submit written request, reasoning and $10 to:

IFPA Appeals
P.O. Box 46248 Tampa, FL. 33646

It is likely that the score will not change. Tests will be re-graded 1 time only no later than 60 days after receipt of original exam.

2. If there are any deviations from standard testing policies or improper behavior by a proctor, instructor or other class member notify the IFPA Appeals department in writing. Include an explanation of the incident, and how it negatively impacted your performance. The IFPA will need verification of the event to determine appeal decision. Respond within 30 days after testing to:

IFPA Appeals
P.O. Box 46248 Tampa, FL. 33646

Appeal of Disciplinary Decisions

Decisions of the IFPA Professional Review Committee may be appealed by the member found to have been in violation on the following grounds:

1. The Professional Review Committee violated its policies and procedures fro processing complaints of ethical violations.
2. The decision of the committee was arbitrary and capricious and was not supported by the materials provided by the complainant and the charged member.
3. The sanctions imposed are inconsistent with or disproportional to the violations found.

After the member has received notification that he/she has been found in violation of the IFPA Code of Ethics, he/she will must notify the IFPA Appeals Committee in writing within thirty (30) business days by certified mail if he/she wishes to appeal the decision. If an appeal is not requested, the IFPA Professional Review Committee shall issue its decision as the final decision as soon as the time during which an appeal may be filed expires. An appeal may consist only of a letter stating one or more of the acceptable grounds of appeal and the reasons for the appeal. Appeals must be sent to:

IFPA Appeals
P.O. Box 46248 Tampa, FL. 33646

The IFPA Appeals Committee will render a decision regarding the appeal within thirty (30) business days of their receipt of the appeal. The decisions of the IFPA Appeals Committee are limited to the following:

1. Upholding the decision of the IFPA Professional Review Committee.
2. Upholding the decision of the IFPA Professional Review Committee, but altering sanctions.
3. Reversing the decision of the IFPA Professional Review Committee.

All decisions of the IFPA Appeals Committee are final and are not subject to further appellate review.

Continuing Education

At this time, the IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification requires twelve (12) Continuing Education Units within two years of initial certification and each year thereafter to remain valid. All IFPA primary certifications have this same requirement. For additional information on acceptable CEUS visit our website at www.ifpa-fitness.com or call the CEU Department at 1-800-785-1924.

If you wish to appeal your certification status please include written request, reasoning and applicable documentation to:

IFPA Appeals
P.O. Box 46248 Tampa, FL. 33646

Appeals will be reviewed and responded to within 4-6 weeks.

Aggregate Performance Data as of 12/15/2023

Currently Certified Personal Trainer Candidates: 4,992

Total Number of Candidates who took the CPFT Exam in 2023: 235

Total Number of Candidates who passed the CPFT Exam in 2023: 152

Percent of First-Time Test Takers Passed: 64%

Percent First-Time Test Takers Failed: 36.00%