Our Mission: Create a Stronger, Healthier World through Personal Training

Accreditation

Effective April 2008, IHRSA recommends that member clubs hire personal trainers holding at least one current certification from a certifying organization/agency that has begun third-party accreditation of its certification procedures and protocols from an independent, experienced, and nationally recognized accrediting body. We applaud the association’s decision.

ISSA is proud to be actively pursuing accreditation with a nationally recognized accrediting agency that is authorized by the US Secretary of Education through the USDoE and CHEA. We have voluntarily elected to apply for and pursue accreditation through this accrediting body to assure our students, the fitness industry, and the general public that we, as a distance education provider and certification body:
1) have met the performance standards of the USDoE and CHEA;
2) provide the quality of education we claim;
3) operate on a sound financial basis;
4) have approved programs of study, qualified instructors, adequate facilities and equipment;
5) utilize effective recruitment and admission policies; and
6) advertise our courses truthfully.

Why Not NCCA

ISSA, along with several other prominent certifying bodies, decided against pursuing NCCA accreditation because NCCA requirements negatively alter the educational structure ISSA feels it is imperative to uphold. NCCA standards state that any organization seeking accreditation cannot require courses, classes, training, or workshops as a prerequisite to sit for their examination. We believe that students should be required to complete educational training prior to taking an examination to become a personal trainer. Furthermore, NCCA is not recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDoE) or the Council for Higher Education in America (CHEA) as an approved accrediting body.

We are certain that ISSA will impress you with our celebrated course materials and best-in-class student and alumni support. We hold an exceptional track record in the fitness industry and bring two decades of experience and integrity to the profession. We look forward to enjoying a long and vibrant relationship with all of our trainers as we enter the “Wellness Era”.