Preparing for your Certificate Examination

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR SPECIALIST (FIS), PERSONAL TRAINER SPECIALIST (PTS) AND NUTRITION & WELLNESS SPECIALIST (NWS) 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 4 to 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.

Nutrition & Wellness Specialist (NWS)

The written exam is 2.5 hours in length made up of 75 multiple choice questions and a client case study.

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 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.

Nutrition & Wellness Specialist (NWS)

The candidate will develop a safe and effective nutrition and wellness plan for participants of all levels. The practical exam must consist of a 60 minute counselling session, covering all mandatory fitness components listed in the Nutrition & Wellness Specialist study guide.

A passing grade on the practical exam is 80%.

The practical exam must be successfully completed within six months of the written exam or the candidate must complete the entire exam (written and practical) again and a new exam fee will apply.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PRE & POST NATAL FITNESS SPECIALIST (PFS) & OLDER ADULT FITNESS SPECIALIST(OAS) CERTIFICATIONS

In order to improve your chance for successful completion of these certifications, the course is mandatory for all candidates. This training course will teach the theory and practical requirements for the exam.

Participation in the Pre & Post Natal Fitness Specialist (PFS) and Older Adult Fitness Specialist (OAS) exams are open to candidates who have completed the course. A current certification as a fitness instructor or personal trainer, a degree in kinesiology, a diploma in fitness leadership, or a health practitioner (e.g. nurse, doctor, chiropractor, massage therapist) is highly recommended for successful completion.

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

THE WRITTEN EXAM

The written exam is 3.0 hours in length and is made up of 75 multiple choice questions and a client case study based on the candidates certification as a personal trainer or as a fitness instructor.

A passing grade for the written exam is a combined average of the multiple choice questions and the case study equaling a minimum of 80%.

If unsuccessful, the candidate must complete both the multiple choice and case study portions again.

THE PRACTICAL EVALUATION

The candidate is evaluated on fitness knowledge and counselling skills in this component of the certification process. Application of the theory into practical demonstration is assessed to determine the candidate’s capability of developing a safe and effective class or training plan for participants of all levels.

The practical exam portion consists of a 15 minute practical skills demonstration session during the written exam.

Questions have been designed to test fitness instructors separately from personal trainers. At the time of the exam, the candidate may choose to answer either the personal trainer or the fitness instructor questions.

A passing grade on the practical exam is 80%.

If unsuccessful in either the written or practical portion of the exam, the candidate must complete the entire exam again and a new exam fee will apply.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MIND-BODY FITNESS SPECIALIST (MBS) CERTIFICATION

In order to improve your chance for successful completion of these certifications, the course is mandatory for all candidates. This training course will teach the theory and practical requirements for the exam.

Participation in the Mind-Body Fitness Specialist (MBS) exam are open to candidates who: have a current certification as a Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Yoga instructor or as a Pilates instructor.

THE WRITTEN EXAM

The written exam is completed on the last day of the course. A passing grade on the written exam is 80%.

THE PRACTICAL EVALUATION

The candidate will be evaluated on their practical skills during demonstration during the last day of the course. A passing grade on the practical exam is 80%.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE RESIST-A-BALL (RAB) CERTIFICATION

In order to improve your chance for successful completion of these certifications, the course is mandatory for all candidates. This training course will teach the theory and practical requirements for the exam.

THE WRITTEN EXAM

The written exam is completed during the course. A passing grade for the Resist-A-Ball (RAB) exam is 80%.

THE PRACTICAL EVALUATION

The candidate will be evaluated on their practical skills during the duration of the course.

Eligibility

All candidates who wish to participate 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 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.

Participation in the Pre & Post Natal Fitness Specialist (PFS) or Older Adult Fitness Specialist (OAS) course and exam is open to candidates who: have a current certification as a fitness instructor or personal trainer, a degree in kinesiology, a diploma in fitness leadership, or is a health practitioner (e.g. nurse, doctor, chiropractor, massage therapist). Completing the course prior to the exam is mandatory.

Participation in the Mind-Body Fitness Specialist (MBS) course and exam is open to candidates who: have a current certification as a fitness instructor, personal trainer or yoga/pilates instructor. Completing the course prior to the exam is mandatory.
Participation in the Resist-A-Ball course (RAB) is open to all.

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), Nutrition & Wellness Specialist (NWS), Pre & Post Natal Fitness Specialist (PFS), and Older Adult Fitness Specialist (OAS) 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.