Become a Certified Personal Trainer

Since 1970, The Cooper Institute has been changing lives for the better every day. Our mission is helping people to understand the connection between living habits and their health. If you are a fitness enthusiast and enjoy helping others, consider helping us extend our mission and become a Cooper Institute Certified Personal Trainer (CI-CPT).

Becoming a Personal Trainer is a two step process. First, you will obtain the education needed for this occupation and then pass an accredited certification exam. The Cooper Institute offers both. To gain your education, you have two options to suit your learning style:

Attend our Personal Training Education 4-day course
Purchase our Personal Training DVD and then attend our 1.5 day applied hands-on training

You do not have to complete a Cooper education program to be eligible for our Personal Trainer Certification Exam.

Step 1: Learn from the Best!

Personal Training Education (4-day workshop)....................................................$525

Your tuition fee includes 15 lectures and hands-on Applied Training by live instructors, a personal training manual, and Q&A opportunities.
This course is offered monthly: Monday through Thursday
NEW! We are also offering this course 4 consecutive Saturdays in October 2008!

-OR-

Personal Training DVD with Live Applied Training (1.5-day applied training).....$570

Your tuition fee includes 15 lectures on a computer DVD, a personal training manual, study schedule, and 1.5 days of Applied Training.
This course is offered twice a year.

Not sure which course to take? Then take this quiz to determine your next step!
At the end of the quiz, your recommended education options will be presented.

FILE	SIZE	FORMAT	DOWNLOAD
Course Selection Quiz	35K	Adobe PDF

Step 2: Pass Our Nationally Accredited Certification Exam

Certified Personal Trainer Exam .........................................................................$250

You must register at least 48 hours prior to the exam date.
This course is offered bi-monthly: Usually on Fridays.
Exam enrollment fills quickly so please plan accordingly!
We do offer retesting opportunities for a reduced fee of $195.

This stand-alone 150-question exam is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies - the gold standard of quality. Passing this exam means you have the skills and knowledge to perform as a Personal Trainer and you’ve earned the right to use the credential CI-CPT after your name. To sit for this 3-hour exam you must be registered, 18 or older, and present a current CPR certification and photo ID at check-in. For complete details on this standardized exam please review our CI-CPT Candidate Handbook.