Legislation was recently introduced in the State Senate that would place unnecessary and burdensome licensing requirements on New Jersey personal trainers and group exercise instructors.
After a careful review, The American Council on Exercise has some concerns about the proposed language of the bill which we believe will inhibit efforts to provide both protections for the consumer and facilitate growth of the fitness industry in New Jersey.
Senate Bill 2164, the “Fitness Professionals Licensing Act”, would establish a State Board of Fitness Professionals and impose the following:
Educational requirements imposed by the Governor-appointed Board, including 150 hours of Board-approved course work.
Significant continuing education requirements have already been established by the fitness industry in accordance with the guidelines established by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET). They are managed by the NCCA-accredited certification organizations as part of the renewal process for those certifications, most are based on 20 hours every two years.
Existing code of ethics, standards of care and a clearly defined scope of practice for the personal training profession are recognized and accepted by the leading fitness certification organizations accredited through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). These existing NCCA-accredited fitness organizations which include the American Council on Exercise, American College of Sports Medicine, National Council on Strength and Fitness, National Academy of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association, and others strictly adhere to these standards and incorporate them in their certification exams and testing processes.
In addition to these organizations there are major, nationally recognized fitness industry trade organizations that support or require NCCA-accreditation as the standard that provides the best protection for the consumer and employer as well:
- The International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) www.ihrsa.org
- The Medical Fitness Association (MFA) www.medicalfitness.org
Certification from the National Board of Fitness Examiners.
- The NBFE lacks accreditation for its certification program through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is the accepted standard for credible certification organizations and serves as the foundation for licensure in allied healthcare and many other fields in New Jersey and most other states.
- The NBFE is a newly formed organization and lacks support of the leading fitness education and credentialing organizations. It is poorly equipped and lacks the resources necessary to meet the needs and demands of professionals, employers and consumers.
- The organization was created by fitness certification organizations that lack the resources, structure, or professional commitment necessary to pursue NCCA accreditation and serves as a means to circumvent the NCCA accreditation process for their programs.
New applicants for licensure following SB 2164’s enactment must complete 300 hours of Board-approved class work, including 50 hours of an unpaid internship, or possess a degree in a related field.
ACE would recommend utilizing the standard established for other allied healthcare professions through the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Healthcare Education Programs (CAAHEP), which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education on Accreditation (CHEA) and the US Department of Education (USDE). There are CAAHEP accredited academic programs available in the areas of personal training and exercise science. The accreditation is available for institutions offering vocational, 2-year programs, 4-year and advanced degrees. Students that complete those programs are best prepared to sit for a quality certification and enter the workforce with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform at a high level.
If you would like to express your concerns about how this bill could prohibit qualified individuals from providing personal training and group exercise services to New Jersey residents, and decrease the number of New Jersey residents pursuing physical activity programs. Please take a few minutes to send a pre-drafted email to legislators using the link below.
