When, where, and who started the NCCPT?
The National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) was started in Southern California by John Platero in September of 1995, when he was promoted to Director of Personal Training for a chain of health clubs called LA FITNESS. Faced with the common problem of having to increase revenue without a qualified staff, John decided to create a vehicle by which he could recruit new trainers, teach them the basics and provide these future professionals with a system to earn a good living, while they continue to learn and grow as a Personal Trainer.
Where did this system come from?
This system was developed from years as a trainer and owning service-oriented businesses. After successfully owning and operating several service oriented businesses, John applied those same concepts to operating a Personal Training company. Within three months he was offered a position as District Manager for LA FITNESS and eventually promoted to a National Director of Personal Training, overseeing the entire country.
John consulted with a variety of health care professional (exercise physiologists, nutritionists, chiropractors and trainers) and went through 27 personal training certifications himself. Along with their contributions and the knowledge he obtained over 30 years of personal training experience, John constantly updates the manual and derives the curriculum from his experience and the best of all the courses he has taken. The curriculum adheres to ACSM guidelines.
How is the N.C.C.P.T. Certification different?
The NCCPT does not pretend to be the end-all of certifications, nor does it present itself as the only place to seek Personal Training information. We like to think of ourselves as a conduit of information for the Personal Trainer.
Who should enroll in the N.C.C.P.T?
Any person wishing to start a career as a personal trainer or anyone wanting to learn more about training. The N.C.C.P.T. is a fantastic Personal Training certification with a multitude of training information. At the 2-day workshop, students receive 16 hours of personal instruction. With the in-home study course, students receive all the hands-on information on video or DVD.
Is the N.C.C.P.T. Personal Training Certification nationally recognized?
There are several hundred certifications available in the United States. At this time there is no government agency that accredits or regulates Personal Training. For this reason, clubs and/or organizations have no legal responsibility to acknowledge or recognize any certification, unless they want to. However, this is how it works: The National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies (NCHCA) was initiated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NCHCA then formed the National Organization for Competency Assurances (NOCA) to offer a membership organization in addition to the standard setting and approval functions performed by the commission.
The NOCA has member organizations that are not certifying bodies, but they do have an interest in competency assurances. Membership in NOCA does not require or involve any review of certification activity, nor does the NOCA involve any recognition of a discipline or profession or their certification arrangements. However, the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the accreditation body of the NOCA. Organizations have to apply for accreditation and only those organizations that achieve this recognition are allowed to display the NCCA logo on their promotional material.
No organization may claim membership to the NCCA because the Commission is not a membership body. Remember, the NCCA is a private not-for-profit organization that does not derive any support from the federal government. One of the requirements of the NCCA to accredit a certification is that no education may be required to sit for the exam. Because of this requirement the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) was born. The NBFE is modeled after the National Board of Medical Examiners which believes accredited education must be a requirement before a student can sit for the exam. The NCCPT CPT Examination is an NCCA Accrediated Program. The NCCPT is a full affiliate of the NBFE.
There is another organization called IDEA. IDEA is the largest continuing education provider for Personal Trainers in the world. They started the IDEA PFT-Recognition system to evaluate and verify the quality of Personal Training Certifications. They are the only third party organization with no financial stake in personal training certification. The NCCPT has been approved and accepted into the IDEA recognition system. In addition, the NCCPT’s program, its instructors and curriculum have been reviewed and approved as continuing education providers by three other certifications: AFAA, ISSA and NASM
What does that mean?
When you are certified through most organizations, there is an expiration date. The NCCPT certification adheres to industry standard of two years. In order to maintain most certifications you must acquire continuing education credits (CEC's) or continuing education units (CEU's). However, if a person is not already certified through one of these organizations, then they cannot acquire credits for something they don't already have. Being certified through the NCCPT does not certify one through these other organizations. To be certified by them, the student must go through their courses (if they have any) and pass their tests. To re-accredit a NCCPT certification one must show proof of completion of twenty hours of health & fitness related seminars or workshops during their certification period. We must receive this proof along with a copy of their original certification prior to the expiration date on their certificate. There is a small fee to renew the certification. Current CPR is also required.
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