What is the NBFE really doing? The leading certification associations like the ACSM, and the NSCA, who require trainers to take a proctored written exam to become certified, did not want to equally recognize other organizations that would allow its customers to simply mail-in an exam to become certified. This coupled with intense clashing of ego's and damaged pride lead us to where we are today. The NBFE, some of whose directors are from the mail-in certification associations, have joined together to take on the leaders.

After 12 years in the health and fitness club industry I have worked independently with many trainers and club owners and discovered the general consensus regarding a quality certification is the same. Each certification should:
Require proctored written exams
Require a practical exam
Be NCCA/NOCA accredited
Require CPR Certification

That's it. But the other organizations do not want to do the work required to bring their certification up to this level of oversight and verification. There is no need for yet another exam, duplicating the same information as the leading certification exams. Furthermore, the NBFE Exam preparation lectures are covering the exact same content the leading organizations already teach, lecture and test. There is no greater depth of information in the NBFE prep courses then in the ACSM or NSCA Examinations and lectures. The NBFE is simply duplicating what the leaders are already doing. If they really care to improve the industry, they should simply improve their organizations certification qualifications and obtain NOCA accreditation. It's that simple.

Author's Bio: 

A former US Marine who served in operations in Bosnia, Somalia, and Haiti. He holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Dan has served as a Division 1 Asst. Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Connecticut, Fitness Director, and Health Club Manager at multiple health clubs, and is currently a health and fitness industry consultant that aids clubs at creating more practical and profitable fitness departments and programs for its members and trainers. He is not a member of any board of any certification organizations and is completely independent and unfunded by any industry organizations.