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Eligibility
The NCSF online quizzes are open to any currently certified fitness professional, 18 years or older.
Deadlines
Course completion deadlines correspond with the NCSF Certified Professionals certification expiration date. Students can obtain their expiration dates by reviewing either their certification diploma or certification ID card.
Cancellat ion/Refund
All NCSF continued education course studies are non-refundable.
General Quiz Rules
- You may not have your quiz back after sending it in.
- Individuals can only take a specific quiz once for continued education units.
- Impersonation of another candidate will result in disqualification from the program without refund.
Disqualification
If disqualified for any of the above-mentioned reasons you may appeal the decision in writing within two weeks of the disqualification date.
Reporting Policy
You will receive your scores within 4 weeks following the quiz. If you do not receive the results after 4 weeks please contact the NCSF Certifying Agency.
Re-testing Procedure
Students who do not successfully pass an online quiz have the option of re-taking. The fees associated with this procedure total $15 (U.S) per request. There are no limits as to the number of times a student may re-test.
Special Needs
If special needs are required to take the quiz please contact the NCSF so that appropriate measures can be taken for your consideration.
What Do I Mail Back to the NCSF? Students are required to submit the quiz answer form.
What do I Need to Sco r e on the Quiz? In order to gain the .5 NCSF continued education units students need to score 80% (8 out of 10) or greater on the CEU quiz.
Where Do I Mail My Quiz Answer Form? You will mail your completed answer form to:
NCSF
Attn: Dept. of Continuing Education
5915 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 60
Coral Gables, FL 33146
How Many CEUs Will I Gain? Professionals who successfully complete the any continuing education quiz will gain .5 NCSF CEUs per quiz.
How Much does each quiz cost? Each quiz costs the student $15.00.
What Will I Receive When The Course Is Completed? Students who successfully pass any of the NCSF online quizzes will receive their exam scores, and a confirmation letter.
How Many Times Can I Take The Quizzes For C EUs? Individuals can take each NCSF quiz once for continuing education credits.
foundation from which to work from in these decision-making processes.
The following list outlines common standards of the personal trainer profession:
Accurately assessed and documented attainment of the minimal competency and knowledge standards (i.e., passing an NCCA-accredited national board exam). There are hundreds of companies that advertise a weekend’s worth of work for guaranteed certification, but in most cases such certifications do not teach people the minimal skills necessary for an individual to safely train clients. Such certifications may also encourage the use of unproven supplements or other methods by which a trainer can make money, but at the expense of the client’s needs.
Proper representation of an individual’s academic achievement, skills, and abilities. People have a tendency to inflate their accomplishments, but it is an unethical behavior that at best results in the use of questionable exercises that may not hurt the client, but don’t necessarily benefit him or her, either. At worst, it can result in injury to a client, and termination of employment or the loss of a client and any future referrals. If the situation should escalate, the trainer may find him- or herself dealing with legal issues.
Practicing within the defined scope of the profession. Consuming the correct number of calories for one’s needs is crucial to helping one lose or maintain weight, but trainers often step out of bounds by providing their clients with a
specific diet plan. Trainers can certainly make recommendations to their clients, but in many states it is a legal requirement that an individual have a registered dietician’s license in order to suggest specific choices. Similarly, trainers must be careful to avoid diagnosing injuries in their clients. While physical activity carries with it an inherent risk of injury, trainers need to be cognizant of the fact that it is in the client’s best interests that they be referred to a qualified professional for an accurate diagnosis. Trainers want to help their clients as much as possible, but an incorrect assessment can do more harm than good if a trainer suggests a course of action that turns out to be detrimental to the injury.
Commitment to continued learning and maintaining professional proficiency. Fitness is an ever-changing industry. Even the average individual who gets the majority of his information from the media will feel as if there’s always a new study contradicting a previous study, so it’s important for trainers to be aware of the changes in their field and stay up-to-date with new information. Not only does this allow the trainer to maintain professional proficiency, but it is also essential, in most cases, for a trainer to maintain their professional certification from year to year.
Protection of the privacy of clients by not disclosing information to third parties unless required by law. Clients have a right to the expectation of privacy with regard to their activities. While it may be necessary to discuss a specific case in order to gain some
insight with regard to a training question, trainers should always be careful to use general terms when talking about the actual client. Much of the trainer-client relationship is based on trust; after all, a trainer is dealing with his or her clients’ health. If a client feels he or she cannot trust the trainer to maintain a level of discretion, the relationship may be irretrievably broken, and lost along with the relationship are future referrals.
Maintaining appropriate filing systems and documenting all professional activity. Maintaining physical and written records of activities performed during a training session can protect a trainer should a liability issue arise. An organized documentation system reflects positively on the trainer, as it implies professionalism and a commitment to proper training practices. Often, trainers have a full load of clients, and it is next to impossible to remember everything one does with each individual client. Having clean, organized notes to which the trainer can refer back when a question arises simplifies progressions and can answer questions about past sessions.
Implementing proper screening and evaluation, and acquiring medical clearance when required for the safety of the client. New trainers must often take a step back when working with new clients and remind themselves that individuals are at different fitness levels when they begin a new routine, and oftentimes their physical conditioning is far below that of the trainer and the trainer’s colleagues. It is essential that
trainers establish baseline data to determine the safest regimen with which to start a client; this helps limit the likelihood that a trainer will try to use exercises for which the client is not ready. While medical clearance may feel like an additional obstacle to beginning an exercise routine, a certain segment of clientele will be best served by getting physician approval before starting an exercise plan. For example, morbidly obese individuals should always have medical clearance before beginning an exercise routine; the physician will be the best person to determine if the client is healthy enough to begin such a regimen. It is also important to obtain medical clearance if a person has diabetes, high blood pressure, or other conditions that may preclude his or her ability to perform certain exercises successfully. Trainers should always make sure their clients obtain medical clearance if necessary, as it can protect both the trainer (from possible liability) and the client.
The referral of clients to the appropriate health care practitioners when needed. This leads back to practicing within the defined scope of the profession. Trainers are skilled at providing effective exercise programs to their clients, but generally they lack the skills and technology to diagnose disease or injury. Clients often ask their trainers questions that trainers are not qualified to answer; it is important that trainers remember to always act in the best interests of their clients, rather than try to have an answer for everything.
Professional Standards and the Personal Trainer
CEU Quiz
- Why are professional standards necessary for personal trainers?
a. They distill the expectations of what comprise sound and appropriate practices. b. They identify ethical considerations and address definitive actions associated with professional conduct. c. They serve as the foundation for judging the merit of a formal grievance or allegation relating to violations of professional or ethical principles. d. All of the above.
- Why must trainers maintain their certifications via continuing education credits?
a. Trainers must stay up-to-date on evolving fitness trends. b. Trainers need continuing education credits to earn higher salaries. c. Continuing education credits allow a trainer to work in multiple locations. d. Trainers do not have to maintain their certifications via continuing education credits; once certified, always certified.
- Why must a trainer stay within the scope of practice as it relates to nutrition?
a. Trainers can only discuss exercise with their clients; they must refer all nutrition questions to a qualified professional. b. Nutrition is only one component of a successful training regimen, and trainers are not taught the information necessary to make recommendations to their clients. c. It is illegal in most states for a trainer without a registered dietician’s license to write specific dietary programs for his or her clients. d. Trainers can dispense nutritional advice as it pertains to the individual needs of their clients.
- Why is it unethical for trainers to misrepresent their certifications, skills, and abilities?
a. Trainers may cause injury to their clients if they work with individuals who have conditions for which they are not prepared. b. Trainers who misrepresent their abilities are also likely to step outside the scope of practice. c. Certifications are easy to obtain and therefore cannot be misrepresented. d. All of the above.
- Why is it important for trainers to respect the privacy of their clients?
a. Trainers regularly discuss their clients with other trainers, so clients have no expectation of privacy. b. Trainers must maintain a level of trust with their clients. c. Trainers are among the health professionals exempt from having to maintain the privacy of their clients’ information. d. Trainers must respect the privacy of their clients because otherwise clients can sue their trainers for breach of trust.
- Of the following, which best describes the need to maintain detailed files about clients’ training regimens?
a. Clients are able to train on their own by referencing the materials. b. Trainers can refer back to their records in the event a legal issue should arise regarding a client’s past training. c. Trainers are able to use the materials to create programs for other clients. d. Detailed files are not necessary as long as the trainer know what each client is doing on a weekly basis.
- What purpose does medical clearance serve?
a. It is a formality that all trainers should keep on each of their clients. b. It provides the trainer with baseline data regarding their clients’ current level of health. c. It gives the trainer and physician an opportunity to sit down together and jointly design an exercise routine for their mutual client. d. It is evidence that a physician believes his or her patient is capable of performing physical activity safely.
- Why is it important for trainers to be aware of, and call attention to, unsafe or illegal behaviors?
a. Trainers who use contraindicated exercises with their clients are at risk of injuring the individuals. b. Trainers who sell supplements solely for financial gain are not acting in the best interest of their clients. c. Clients who are subject to shady practices may lose trust in their trainer and may feel as if all trainers behave in the same manner. d. All of the above.
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Fill in each blank with the correct choice on
the answer sheet. To receive 0.5 CEUs, you
must answer 8 of the 10 questions correctly.
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NCSF
5915 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 60
Coral Gables, FL 33146
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