ISSA Continuing Education Requirements for Recertification

CEUs are a requirement to maintain certification status. Failure to meet the CEU requirement at the time of renewal will result in the forfeiture of a certification.

Once the requirements are met you may submit the complete application with the late fee (if applicable). Please review the Renewal packet and then contact ISSA's Continuing Education Department for information.

ISSA members are responsible for reporting their CEUs at the time of renewal. CEUs are reported and verified by the submission of the CEU Report Form along with photocopies of documentation of completion/attendance (do not send originals). Acceptable documentation would include copies of certificates of completion, transcripts, or other forms of official documentation where the number of credits/hours can be verified. The CEU Report Form can be located at the back of the Renewal Packet.

All ISSA certified trainers are REQUIRED to keep a current basic adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification and First Aid (aka CPR/AED/First Aid certification). If your CPR/AED/First Aid Certification expires before your ISSA Certification you are responsible for updating your CPR/AED/First Aid Certification status. Trainers who are NOT CPR/AED/First Aid Certified while training clients are liable. Do not risk your career because of an expired CPR/AED/First Aid. Please contact your nearest American Red Cross or American Heart Association for a list of classes in your area.

For your convenience, the ISSA offers an online CPR/AED/First Aid course.

ATTENTION: Out of country CPR/AED/First Aid Certification cards are accepted. If the card is written in a language other than English, it will need to be translated to English and notarized. CPR/AED/First Aid Certification cards that are not officially translated will not be accepted.

ISSA members can earn CEU credit for taking college courses that are directly related to the field of Health, Fitness, and other subjects pertaining to personal training. Members must have passed all courses that they wish to earn credit for and must submit an official transcript or grade report as verification.

Members can earn 4 CEUs for every 1 quarter credit and 6 CEUs for every 1 semester credit. Credit must be earned from an accredited institution. College courses that are acceptable for continuing education include (but are not limited to): Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Physiology, Anatomy, Exercise Science, Nutrition, Marketing and Physical Education courses (i.e. dance, swimming, basketball, etc.). College courses that are not acceptable for continuing education include any course beyond the scope of practice for personal trainers and courses that do not relate to personal training.

If you have any questions as to if your college course will be accepted for credits please contact us at 805-900-4368 and ask to speak with the Continuing Education Department.

If an ISSA member wishes to receive CEUs for a course that has not been previously approved by ISSA, members must submit the Petition for CEU Program Approval located at the back of the Renewal Packet. The course must be directly related to the member's fitness profession and educational growth in professional fitness industry. A petition for each CEU program approval must be submitted and must be accompanied by all appropriate documentation and fees for review.

The CEU Program Approval file requires you to have the most recent version of Adobe's Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is available as a free download on Adobe's website.

For questions or additional assistance, please call 805-364-0636 or email issa-studentservices@issaonline.com.