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WHY DOES ACCREDITATION MATTER FORCERTIFICATION PROGRAMS?CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS SHOULD OBTAIN THIRD-PARTY VALIDATION FROM AN INDEPENDENTorganization that explicitly accredits certification programs, and not educational programs, as thecriteria are different.In 1987, the Institute of Credentialing Excellence (ICE) created the National Commission for CertifyingAgencies (NCCA) to serve as that independent organization. Since that time, the NCCAhas developed standards for quality certification from a variety of differentindustries, and accredited programs and organizations that meet those standards.Certification programs for nurses, automotive professionals, respiratorytherapists, counselors, emergency technicians and several otheroccupations have been evaluated by the NCCA. As of 2012, morethan 300 programs from more than 120 organizations have receivedaccreditation from the organization.In 2003,ACE earned NCCAaccreditation forall four of itscore certifi cationprograms.For many employers, a certification from an NCAA-accredited program is aneasy way to identify a qualified candidate from an unqualified one. Within the fitness industry,the International Health and Racquet Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and the Medical FitnessAssociation (MFA) both recommend club owners and medical fitness facilities hire professionalswith NCCA-accredited certifications.In 2003, ACE earned NCCA accreditation for all four of its core certification programs – PersonalTrainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist.Accreditation has been maintained for every certification program since that time.A CUT-RATE $49 ONLINE CERTIFICATION EXAM IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE NCCAACCREDITATION. IN FACT, IF THE PROCESS SEEMS TOO EASY, CONSIDER THAT A RED FLAG. THEGOAL SHOULD BE TO EARN A REPUTABLE CERTIFICATION BY FOLLOWING A STRAIGHTFORWARDAND STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS—NOT TO BUY A CHEAP AND EASY CREDENTIAL.

ARE THERE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS IN EUROPE?Just as the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) sets standards for certification programsin the United States, the European Health & Fitness Association (EHFA) sets standards throughout Europe.Using a standards council comprised of industry experts, employers, academics and practitionersfrom across Europe, the nonprofit promotes best practices at nearly 10,000health and fitness clubs in 27 European countries.In 2012, ACEPersonal TrainersIn 2012, ACE Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors becameand Group Fitnessthe first fitness professionals certified within the United States to beInstructors became the firstrecognized as meeting standards of practice in Europe.fitness professionals certifiedwithin the United States to beThe designation means ACE-certified Personal Trainers and Grouprecognized as meetingFitness Instructors are eligible to join the European Register of Exercisestandards of practiceProfessionals (EREPS), an inventory that health and fitness clubsin Europe.reference during the hiring process.ACE-certified Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors with at leastone year of recorded experience can join EREPS with full member status, while newly certified ACEprofessionals are granted provisional member status for their first year of practice.To learn more about applying for EREPS membership, visit www.EREPS.eu.com.About EREPSEREPS operates as an independent body for the registration of all instructors, trainers andteachers working in the fitness industry in Europe.Through its quality assurance process, the organization recognizes qualified professionalswith standards specified in the European QualificationFramework (EQF).The EQF classifies specific occupations using a system of levels thatidentifies their skills, practical knowledge and competences, with Level2 fitness professionals having the most basic knowledge and Level 5having the most advanced.ACE-certified Personal Trainers have been classified as EQF Level 4professionals, and ACE-certified Group Fitness Instructors havebeen classified as EQF Level 3.All ERPS member countries use the EQF as a commonreference point for their own national qualificationframeworks.