ISSA Certification: What to Know About How to Get an ISSA CPT Certificate

This certificate allows personal trainers to flex their muscles – literally or more figuratively – to potential clients and employers. While the ISSA offers dozens of certifications in various facets of the fitness world (including nutrition, health, and even DNA-based fitness coaching), the CPT is typically a potential trainer’s first step into the broader fitness ecosystem.

ISSA has a long-standing reputation in the industry, as it traced back until the late 1980s, and has certified hundreds of thousands of trainers in the years since. For trainers interested in enrolling in the ISSA CPT course, here’s what you need to know.

What is ISSA certification?

Generally, when we talk about an “ISSA certification”, it refers to the Certified Personal Trainer certification, or often simplified as “CPT”. The CPT certification is a broad-based personal training credential that functions much like a diploma or diploma by demonstrating that a trainer has successfully completed the ISSA program.

Having the CPT certificate “indicates that you have broken the barrier of entry into the field,” says John Bauer, content developer at ISSA. “For those looking for work at a health club, this means not only have you broken through the barriers, but also that you have the prerequisite knowledge to get in there and do the job,” he says.

Bauer explains that ISSA’s CPT certificate also focuses on one aspect that may make it particularly useful to some trainers: practicality. The ISSA program “is more practical and relevant” than competing certifications,” he says, and “a lot of what we’ve put into it are proven things that many of us (trainers) have learned over the years. years “.

In this sense, obtaining ISSA CPT certification is a first step for many trainers, although there are many other areas in which they can also specialize and obtain more certifications. This is a path recommended by many coaches.

“You can get more specific certifications, but start with the basics,” says Peter Marino, CEO and founder of Fitness chic, an online and at-home personal training company operating in New York and Connecticut. Marino earned a DNA-based fitness coach certificate from ISSA, which taught him how to use genetic testing when creating fitness plans for clients. But again, Marino recommends trainers start with a basic certificate, like the ISSA CPT. “If you want to become a trainer, go for the simplest certificate to start,” he adds.

The ISSA CPT exam

To obtain the certificate, students will have to pass a final exam, of which there are several versions.

First, there’s “the accredited test, with a proctor on the test, a time limit and no grades,” says Bauer. The exam consists of 140 multiple choice questions and is limited to two hours. It must also be run through a third-party monitoring company, called Prometric. This version is certified by the National Council of Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT-CPT) and accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

The other version is an online test offered directly via ISSA. While this earns you a certificate, which will be helpful for trainers who are considering going out on their own, it may not be a good choice for trainers hoping to land a job at a gym.

“Most employers, like big-box gyms, look for an accredited certification,” says Bauer.

How much does ISSA certification cost?

Costs for an ISSA CPT certificate vary, but for most students, the cost of the course will likely be around $1,000. Prospective students can benefit from certain promotions or sign up for payment plans.

If you choose to pay via a payment plan, the costs are higher. ISSA offers 12-month or six-month payment plans, with payments around $94 per month for the 12-month plan. But again, these prices are subject to change, so it’s best to keep a ballpark figure in mind.

The cost of the course also includes the online textbook, access to practice quizzes, and other tools. Students who need more time to take their certification exam can also pay for extensions, which cost around $10 per month.

How long does it take to get ISSA certified?

Aside from financial costs, it’s also important to keep time commitments in mind. And the time it takes to obtain an ISSA certification can, again, vary wildly.

Bauer says some facets of the course are designed for students to complete the course in a few months, assuming they study at least part of the time five days a week. “I would say you could do it a lot faster than that,” he says, “but three months is a reasonable amount of time to get through 18 chapters and a 700-page book.”

However, perhaps the most important factor that will affect the time required to obtain certification is the level of basic knowledge already acquired by the student. For example, someone with a college degree in exercise science or kinesiology might be able to complete the entire course in a few weeks. Those who approach the subject without such training might take much longer.

Is it worth getting ISSA certified?

The value of obtaining an ISSA certification will depend on each individual’s situation.

If you are a new trainer and looking to break into the industry and find a job at a gym, then yes, getting an ISSA certification may be worth the time and effort. But if you’re an experienced trainer (who perhaps has other certifications or a college degree related to exercise science), that may not be the case. Additionally, if you’re not sure how seriously you’re considering a career in personal training, it can also be a signal that you should perhaps wait until your goals crystallize.

“A lot of people are just trying to be fitness influencers,” says Marino. For these people, certifications may not be worth it. But ultimately, “it depends on your goals” when trying to determine whether ISSA certification is worth it.

Takeaways

The ISSA CPT certification is potentially a good entry-level certification for personal trainers, especially those looking to land a training job at a gym. This can be expensive and requires time and energy, but it will show employers and clients that you know the basics. However, for more experienced trainers, it may not be worth it.

Those who want to take the course and then take the exam and get certified should take it seriously and also think about the next steps. Again, the CPT certificate is likely just the first step in a longer journey: a signal that you know the basics.

“I think we’ve done a good job of giving them the course they need to be ready to start doing their job,” Bauer says.