Embarking on a career as a personal trainer involves more than merely a passion for fitness and helping others achieve their goals. In today’s competitive market, obtaining the proper certifications (and licensing) can be a crucial component of your professional toolkit, adding credibility, enhancing your skill set, and opening doors to higher earning potential. However, the costs associated with these certifications, along with the potential need for a business license if you plan to run your own training business, can be significant.
In this article, we’ll dive into the costs associated with obtaining personal trainer certifications, from initial fees to hidden expenses you might not have considered. We’ll explore the financial and professional benefits of becoming certified and provide data-driven insights to help you make an informed decision. We’ll also cover business licensing and some of the associated costs you can expect.
Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to expand your qualifications, understanding the actual value of these certifications is essential. And with tools like Elite Trainr, you can maximize the benefits of your credentials, streamline your client management, and elevate your fitness business to new heights. Let’s break down the numbers and see if the investment in certifications and licensing aligns with your career aspirations and long-term goals.
What is a Personal Trainer License?
In the fitness industry, the terms ‘certification’ and ‘license’ are often used interchangeably. However, there is a vast and distinct difference between the two.
Definition and Importance
Personal Trainer Certifications
A personal trainer certification is a credential awarded by a professional organization upon successful completion of a training program and passing an examination. This certification validates that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to design and implement safe and effective fitness programs for clients. Some well-known certifying bodies include:
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
These certifications often cover a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, exercise techniques, nutrition, and client assessment. They are essential for establishing credibility and ensuring that a personal trainer is qualified to provide fitness guidance.
Personal Trainer Business License
A personal trainer business license is a legal authorization required to operate a personal training business. This license is issued by local or state government authorities. It allows the individual to conduct business activities legally within a specific jurisdiction. The requirements for obtaining a business license vary depending on the location but typically include:
- Registering the Business Name: Ensuring that the business name is unique and not already in use.
- Submitting an Application: Completing and submitting the necessary forms and documentation to the relevant government office.
- Paying a Fee: There is usually a fee associated with obtaining the business license.
- Compliance with Local Regulations: Ensuring that the business complies with all local zoning, health, and safety regulations.
Obtaining a business license is crucial for personal trainers who wish to operate independently or start their own training facility. It ensures they are legally recognized and can conduct their business without legal issues.
Different Types of Licenses and Certifications
There are a number of different types of certifications and business licenses that a personal trainer like you might want to consider. Let’s review your options.
General Personal Trainer Certification Costs
A general personal training certification is a must for all personal trainers, regardless of their country of residence. This certification is needed in some areas to establish authority that you are capable of providing professional fitness consulting and training services. Above all, a general PT certification shows potential clients that you are serious, dedicated, and professional.
| ISSA Bundles (1) | |||
| Training | Monthly Cost (12-months) | Total Cost (if paid monthly) | Single Payment Cost (paid all at once) |
| Starter – PT Certification Course, 1 Specialization Course | $99.97 | $1,199.64 | $1,199.64 |
| Elite – PT Certification Course, 3 Specialization Courses, 2 Bonus Courses | $125.00 | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Master – PT Certification Course, 4 Specialization Courses, 2 Bonus Courses, Certify for Life | $174.98 | $2,099.76 | $2,099.76 |
The ISSA PT certification prices noted above appear straightforward on their website. The costs make sense when we compare totals from either paying monthly for a year or purchasing in a single payment.
| NASM (2) | ||
| Final Total (if paid monthly w/ setup fee included) | Total (one-time payment) | |
| CPR/AED Certification | $49.99 | n/a |
| Certified Personal Trainer – Self-Study | $894.00 | $899.00 |
| Certified Personal Trainer – All Inclusive | $1,406.00 | $1,899.00 |
NASM seems to have the most confusing pricing of all the ‘major players.’ They have unusual payment terms, including 11—or 17-month monthly payment terms, setup fees ranging from $25 to $199, and one-time payments that don’t add up to the monthly payment totals. If you’re confused, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
| ACE (3) | Basic | Plus | Advantage |
| Personal Trainer | $850.00 | $945.00 | $1,175.00 |
| Group Fitness Instructor | $335.00 | $375.00 | $465.00 |
| Health Coach | $850.00 | $990.00 | $1,495.00 |
| Medical Exercise Specialist | $385.00 | $495.00 | n/a |
ACE has the clearest pricing for training of the ‘big 3’. They offer a variety of courses, but primarily, they offer the four noted above with various tiers (basic, plus, and advanced), each offering appealing features.
Specialized Fitness Certification Costs
Sometimes, personal trainers want to specialize in certain areas of the industry. The following is a list of specialized certifications that the ISSA has available, with pricing based on a 12-month training subscription:
| ISSA Specialization (1) | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Bodybuilding Specialist | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Corrective Exercise Specialist | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| DNA-Based Fitness Coach | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Exercise Recovery Specialist | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Exercise Therapy Specialist | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Glute Specialist | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Group Exercise + NCCPT Exam | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Group Personal Training | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Health Coach | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Indoor Cycling | $33.29 | $399.48 |
| Kickboxing Instructor | $28.26 | $339.12 |
| Lifespan Coach | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Nutritionist | $52.44 | $629.28 |
| Online Coach | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Performance Enhancement Coach | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Pilates Instructor | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Powerlifting Instructor | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Running Coach | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Senior Fitness Instructor | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Strength & Conditioning + NCCPT Exam | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Tactical Conditioning Coach | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Transformation Specialist | $53.27 | $639.24 |
| Weight Management Specialist | $33.25 | $399.00 |
| Yoga Fundamentals + NCCPT Exam | $66.58 | $798.96 |
| Youth Fitness Instructor | $53.27 | $639.24 |
The ISSA specialization costs above occur as either an 11-month monthly payment system or paying all at once (generally for a ‘sales’ rate). The ISSA appears to offer discounts if you pay all at once, unlike NASM, which appears to cost more if you pay all at once (which makes no sense to many who try to make sense of it). See below for the NASM specialization pricing.
| NASM (2) | ||
| Specializations | Total Payment Plan | One Time Payment |
| Youth Exercise Specialization | $190.00 | $199.00 |
| Golf Fitness Specialization | $190.00 | $199.00 |
| Group Fitness Instructor | $234.00 | $299.00 |
| Home Gym Design Specialization | $234.00 | $299.00 |
| Social Media Fitness Influencer | $234.00 | $299.00 |
| MMA Conditioning Specialization | $234.00 | $299.00 |
| Group Fitness Instructor | $234.00 | $299.00 |
| Stretching and Flexibility Coach | $366.00 | $499.00 |
| Behavior Change Specialization | $366.00 | $499.00 |
| Virtual Coaching Specialization | $366.00 | $499.00 |
| Business Blueprint | $366.00 | $499.00 |
| Group Personal Training Specialization | $366.00 | $499.00 |
| Women’s Fitness Specialization | $366.00 | $499.00 |
| Senior Fitness Specialization | $366.00 | $499.00 |
| Certified Nutrition Coach | $564.00 | $899.00 |
| Certified Sports Nutrition Coach | $564.00 | $899.00 |
| Performance Enhancement Specialization | $564.00 | $899.00 |
| Physique and Bodybuilding Coach | $564.00 | $899.00 |
| Weight Loss Specialization | $564.00 | $899.00 |
| Corrective Exercise Specialization | $608.00 | $899.00 |
Business Licensing for Personal Trainers Wanting to Start a Training Business
In the USA, there are a number of business licenses that one can obtain when starting a business. The costs range from $25 to a few hundred, depending on the license type or the state in which the company is going to operate. Many licenses also require annual renewal. For example, in Nevada, an annual license is $200 for most simple licensing and $500 for a corporation per year just to maintain the license. (4)
There are also fees for filing returns, annual reports, and other documents, which might have an actual filing fee or fees associated with hiring an accountant to complete the paperwork for the IRS.
Factors Affecting Personal Trainer Certification and License Costs
There are a number of factors that affect the amount you’ll pay for training and licensing. Here are the factors that affect the cost:
Training
- The organization offering training will affect the price. See the tables above for regular (non-sale) prices found on each site respectively.
- The ‘tier’ of training, as is the case with ACE training.
- Whether paying on a monthly basis or all at once.
- Keep in mind that many certifications require annual renewal or recertification.
Licensing
- Each state may set its own fees, so many states have different business licensing costs and annual fees.
- The type of business license needed (Federal, State, Local, Professional, Sales Tax, Home-Based Business). (5)
- Keep in mind that most states also charge annual business license renewal fees. Furthermore, depending on where you intend to operate your business, you may also require specific permits.
Is Licensing Worth the Investment?
Certification
Is certification worth it? In my opinion, yes, in fact, it is essential. Why? Liability. People love finding reasons to sue each other. Well, if you train someone without the proper certifications and that person is hurt, then you could end up in court or worse. Don’t neglect to protect yourself with the knowledge that only appropriate training can provide.
Recommended Reading:
Business Licensing
Business licensing is absolutely necessary if you want to run your own training business. Similar to certification, without a license, you could land in hot water, except this time, you aren’t getting sued by an individual. Still, you may incur the wrath of the IRS and other government agencies. Is it worth the cost of licensing? Yes, absolutely (if you want your own business).
Take Your Training Business to the Next Level with Elite Trainr
With all of these costs to review, there’s one thing that can help reduce costs, reduce headaches, and reduce confusion trying to run your training business: Elite Trainr. Elite Trainr is your all-in-one training business application that you can use for everything from tracking nutrition and cardio to invoicing your training clients. It won’t help you get licensed or certified. Still, it’s an all-in-one solution for running your business once you’ve resolved the license and certification issues.
Maximizing the Benefits of Your Certification with Elite Trainr Features
Elite Trainr delivers features where other applications fall short. Here’s a taste of what to expect in Elite Trainr features:
Nutrition and Fitness Goal Tracking
Nutrition, cardio, fitness, and goal tracking are all critical components of running your training programs. Elite Trainr makes it easy with an intuitive dashboard that makes sense for your business’s training and tracking needs.
Customizable Meal and Fitness Plans
With over 3,000 animated GIFs, Elite Trainr has everything you need to create custom and comprehensive training plans for your clients. Furthermore, the customizable meal and nutrition management features mean that you can use the app for every aspect of your training programs.
Client Management and Communication Tools
No training app would be complete without powerful client management and communication tools. Elite Trainr delivers robust features like a private forum, in-app messaging and email, and more so you can manage all of your clients. The app even enables you to add other trainers (so you can hire more trainers and build and scale your training business easily).
Many more features within the Elite Trainr app are worth mentioning, so please take a moment to look at what Elite Trainr features have to offer.
The Last Word On PT Costs
Navigating the costs of personal trainer certifications and business licenses can be complex. Still, the investment is essential for building a successful career. Proper certification not only enhances your credibility and expertise but also protects you from legal liabilities. Coupled with the necessary business licenses, these credentials pave the way for a professional and thriving training business.
With tools like Elite Trainr, you can leverage your certifications to provide top-notch services, streamline operations, and maximize client satisfaction. Invest wisely in your education and business setup to unlock your full potential and elevate your personal training career to new heights.
Article Sources
- “Become a Certified Personal Trainer | ISSA.” 2024. Issaonline.com. 2024. https://www.issaonline.com/.
- “NASM Homepage.” 2020. NASM. 2020. https://www.nasm.org/#.
- “ACE | Health and Fitness Education, Research, Career Support.” 2022. Acefitness.org. 2022. https://www.acefitness.org/.
- Cusson, Natalie. 2024. “How to Get a Nevada Business License (2024 Guide).” Forbes, June 26, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/business-license-nevada/#:~:text=In%20the%20state%20of%20Nevada%2C%20the%20business%20license%20fee%20is,the%20license%20was%20first%20filed..
- “Six Types of Business Licenses: How Many Does Your Business Need?” 2024. Chase.com. 2024. https://www.chase.com/business/knowledge-center/start/six-types-of-business-licenses.
