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Preparing for your Certificate Examination

Recommendations for the Fitness Instructor Specialist (FIS), Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS) certifications

In order to improve the chance for successful certification, we recommend that all candidates prepare for the Certification Exam by attending a Certification Course. This training course will teach the theory and practical requirements for the exam.

To verify knowledge and understanding, we recommend that each candidate purchase a copy of the Certification Study Guide and Course Manual. The guide is a series of questions to assist in final preparation for the exam process and contains outlines for the theory and practical exams.

We recommend that candidates attempt the exam approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks after taking the course. This time frame is recommended in order to allow the participant to properly prepare for the exam.

We recommend that candidates invest some personal practice time (at least 20 hours) before attempting the Practical Exam.

THE WRITTEN EXAM

The written exam is a collection of challenging questions. The exam has been developed by canfitpro based on the expected performance standards.

Fitness Instructor Specialist (FIS)

The written exam is 2.5 hours in length made up of 75 multiple choice questions and short answer questions.

Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS)

The written exam is 3 hours in length made up of 100 multiple choice questions and a client case study.

Healthy Eating & Weight Loss Coach (HWL)

The written exam is 3 hours in length made up of 72 multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions and short answer questions.  The HWL program does not have a Practical Evaluation.

A passing grade for the written exam is a combined average of the multiple choice questions and the short answer questions/the client case study equaling a minimum of 80%. If unsuccessful, the candidate must complete both the multiple choice and the short answer questions/the client case study portions again.

The written exam must be completed within one (1) year from the completion of the course.

THE PRACTICAL EVALUATION

The candidate is evaluated on technical ability and training skill in this component of the certification process. Application of fitness theory into practical demonstration is assessed:

Fitness Instructor Specialist (FIS)

The candidate’s capability of leading a safe and effective fitness class for participants of all levels. The practical exam must consist of a 45 or 60 minute fitness class, covering all mandatory fitness components listed in the Fitness Instructor Specialist study guide.

Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS)

The candidate’s capability of designing and facilitating a safe and effective workout for relatively healthy participants in the general population. The practical exam must consist of a 60-minute personal training session, covering all mandatory fitness components listed in the Personal Trainer Specialist study guide.

A passing grade on the practical exam is 80%.

The practical exam must be successfully completed within six (6) months of the written exam. If you are unsuccessful in completing your practical exam within the six (6) month time frame the following options are available:

  • Less than one (1) month after expiration date: you can submit your outstanding requirements and a $20 (+ applicable taxes) extension fee will be charged.
  • More than one (1) month expired and less than one (1) year from the successful completion of your theory exam: you can complete a reinstatement practical exam only with a PRO TRAINER for $99 (+ applicable taxes).
  • More than one (1) year after the successful completion of your theory exam: you must complete both the theory and practical exams again in order to become certified.

Eligibility

All candidates who wish to participate in any canfitpro course must be 16 years of age or older. All candidates who wish to participate and complete any canfitpro certification exam and be eligible for personal liability insurance must be 18 years of age or older.

Candidates must hold a current (less than one-year-old) Adult CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certificate obtained during a live course to become certified. A photocopy of the CPR should be enclosed with the exam registration.

All candidates who wish to become certified with canfitpro must be a member of canfitpro before attempting the exam.

How can my PRO TRAINER help me succeed?

PRO TRAINERS are the qualified educators across Canada who are partners in delivering canfitpro Fitness Instructor Specialist (FIS), Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS) & Healthy Eating and Weight Loss Coach (HWL) courses and exams.

canfitpro PRO TRAINERS work in their local community to offer the Certification Preparation Courses that assist candidates in the theoretical and practical preparation for the exam. The PRO TRAINER hosts a theory exam and performs a practical evaluation for all candidates to complete the certification process.

Your PRO TRAINER is your local contact and is available to answer questions about the certification program and the courses or exams being offered. You will work closely with your PRO TRAINER until you have completed the certification process.

canfitpro believes that it is the responsibility of every fitness professional to uphold the integrity of the fitness industry. As such, canfitpro has established the Certified Fitness Professional Code of Ethics. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with this Code of Ethics prior to becoming a certified and throughout your career.

Certified Fitness Professional Code of Ethics

Certification Accreditation Program

canfitpro is pleased to promote our National Certification Program to provide fitness enthusiasts the opportunity to become certified across Canada.

Anyone with a current and recognized Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer certification can add canfitpro certification to their list of credentials. The process is simple. Complete the Certification Accreditation application form, attach and send us a photocopy of your current certification(s) and your current CPR (obtained during a live course within the last year), include the one-time Certification Fee.

The canfitpro Fitness Instructor Specialist Certification is a land based certification. We do not specialize or certify candidates in Yoga, Pilates, Cycling, Aqua Fitness and therefore cannot accept Certification Accreditation with those specialties listed above.

What are the outstanding benefits of certification with canfitpro?

  • Save hundreds of dollars during your career! No recertification fees! Once you are certified with us, all you have to do is to keep your membership current, earn 4.0 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) per discipline, and provide us with a current copy of your CPR (within one year of issue date, live courses only) each year.
  • canfitpro CEC tracking service – let us take the work out of tracking your CECs! If you are canfitpro certified, we will keep track of your CECs when you attend anycanfitpro event (conferences, certain workshops). When it is time to recertify, we will send you a letter stating the number of CECs you have on record. If you have enough CECs, all you need to do is send in a copy of your current CPR (within one year of issue date, live courses only) and make sure your membership is up to date!
  • Recognized across Canada and internationally! Pay no transfer fees or complete more exams if you move between provinces!
  • Combined membership and certification expiration date – canfitpro keeps things simple for you by awarding you one annual renewal date for your membership and certification(s) so that you can renew everything once a year in a fast and efficient manner.
  • Easy access to CECs – canfitpro hosts more fitness workshops and conferences in more cities across Canada than any other organization. From St. John’s, Newfoundland to Vancouver, British Columbia, we offer workshops that are accessible, affordable, educational and entertaining!
  • Excellent customer service from a fully staffed department – our Certification and Customer Service Departments are open year round Monday to Friday,including a toll free number, email and on-line registration to meet your needs.

The following are the certifications that we recognize for our Certification Accreditation Program:

Fitness Instructor Specialist (FIS)

Provincial Organizations:

  • Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association (AFLCA)
  • British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA)
  • Manitoba Fitness Council (MFC)
  • Fitness New Brunswick (NBCFAL)
  • Nova Scotia Fitness Association (NSFA)
  • Ontario Fitness Council (OFC)
  • Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA)

Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM) †

  • Group Exercise Leader

American Council on Exercise (ACE) †

Energie Cardio

  • FIDA Evolution Level I

FIT CHICKS

  • Fitness & Nutrition Expert

YMCA

  • Group Fitness Leader

University of Guelph Group (U of G)

  • Fitness Instructor Certification

Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS)

 

Ataraxia †

  • CPEP – 2

American Council on Exercise (ACE) †

Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) †

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
  • Health Fitness Specialist (HFS)

British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA)

  • Personal Trainer

Certified Professional Trainers Network (CPTN)

FIT CHICKS

  • Fitness & Nutrition Expert

The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CSEP- CPT)
  • Certified Exercise Physiologist (CSEP-CEP)

The New Brunswick Council for Fitness and Active Living (NBCFAL)

  • Personal Trainer

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and CSCS

Nova Scotia Fitness Association (NSFA)

  • Certified Fitness/Personal Trainer

Ontario Fitness Council (OFC)

  • Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT)
  • Personal Trainer (PT)

YMCA

  • Individual Conditioning Level II
  • Individual Conditioning Level III
  • Advanced Training Instructor

University of Guelph Group (U of G)

  • Personal Trainer Certification

Recognized certifications from outside of Canada:

TAFE

  • Fitness – Certificate III (NRT) – FIS
  • Fitness – Certificate IV (NRT) – PT

WISE ACADEMY

  • Certificate III in Fitness (SRF30206) Gym Instructor – PT

NCEF – National Certificate in Exercise and Fitness Instruction

  • Level II FIS
  • Level III PTS

RSA (Royal Society of Arts)

  • Exercise to Music – FIS

WINGATE INSTITUTE for PHYS ED and SPORT – PTS

† Must complete a practical exam ($99 + applicable tax) to complete the Certification Accreditation process.

*Certifications not listed above must provide a copy of their certificate and information about the organization for review. Completion of a practical exam may be required.

To download Certification Accreditation Request Form, please select:

Certification Accreditation Request Form