ACT refers to the Athletic Certification Training Commission, an organization founded by personal trainers. ACT offers a free online certification for personal trainers. The NCCA is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which operates under the auspices of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, or ICE. As of 2011, ACT does not have NCCA certification; however the organization is currently in the process of completing the NCCA accreditation process, according to its website.
ACT
The fact that it is a free certification remains the main benefit of an ACT certification. Other organizations such as the American Council on Exercise and the National Strength and Conditioning Association typically charge over $200 for a certification. An ACT certification can also be acquired completely online. Personal trainers download the textbook, study on their own time and write the exam, all online and for no charge. A minimal charge of $65 applies if personal trainers would prefer access to support from ACT teachers in preparation for the exam.
NCCA
The NCCA exists to "ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs/organizations that assess professional competency." To this end, the NCCA bestows accreditation on organizations that it feels produce capable and knowledgeable personal trainers. The NCCA accredited the American Council of Exercise's Personal Training program in 2003.
Value of Accreditation
Accreditation provides a means for potential personal training clients to feel safe in the hands of their trainers. The relationship between a personal trainer and a client involves a great deal of trust, and the NCCA accreditation can help both parties establish a professional bond. In 2006 the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) issued a recommendation that fitness facilities limit their hires exclusively to personal trainers who have obtained certification from a training body with third-party accreditation, such as the NCCA. Therefore, NCCA-accredited personal trainers tend to stand out from ACT-certified competition; the NCCA endorsement may give them an edge at hiring time.
Caveat
While an ACT personal trainer may not have NCCA accreditation, ultimately the decision to work with a trainer involves more than a piece of paper. Personal references and word of mouth hold sway where trainers are concerned, and what many trainers lack in accreditation they more than make up for in results.
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