Becoming a personal trainer is a rewarding career path for health and fitness enthusiasts passionate about helping others achieve their fitness goals. To work as a personal trainer in North Carolina, you need:
- To be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED
- A current CPR/AED* certification
- A recognized personal trainer certification
- Liability insurance
*Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
While these are not all official legal requirements, they are the accepted industry standards. By equipping yourself with these credentials, you’ll increase your trustworthiness and appeal to clients and gyms in South Carolina.
Age Requirements for Personal Trainers
The minimum age requirement to become a personal trainer in NC is 18 (in most circumstances).
Most personal trainer certification programs require you to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED (General Education Development) certificate to take the certification exam.
Explore CPR and AED Certification Requirements in North Carolina
In North Carolina, personal trainers typically must have an adult CPR/AED certification. Most personal trainer certification programs also require this certification before you can take the final exam.*
Depending on individual gyms ‘ policies, you may also need to have child and infant CPR and/or first aid credentials. These are often combined with and/or provided by the same organizations as the standard adult CPR class, like The American Red Cross.
CPR training is typically offered online, in a classroom, or hybrid settings. However, the trainer certification agencies typically require a hands-on evaluation via an in-person or blended course.
For further information about CPR/AED training and where to find a class, check out:
*The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) states that all personal trainer certifying bodies accredited by the NCCA must require CPR/AED certification.
Personal Trainer Certifications in North Carolina
Many gyms, studios, and other fitness centers prefer to hire personal trainers with certifications from an NCCA-accredited program. Most recognized certified personal trainer (CPT) programs have this accreditation.
Pro Tip: Some CPT programs have an open-book or remote exam option. These exams are typically not NCCA-accredited, and therefore may not be accepted at all fitness facilities.
Some of the most common personal trainer certifications in South Carolina include:
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE).
To find the best course for you, check out our review of popular CPT programs.
Get North Carolina Personal Trainer Liability Insurance
Like most states, individual trainers are typically responsible for obtaining liability insurance in North Carolina.
Some larger gyms may cover your work under their liability policy, if you’ve been hired as an actual W2 employee. However, the company could still want you to have your own liability policy regardless of the facility itself’s coverage.
If you’re self-employed or hired as an independent contractor, you will need your own personal trainer liability insurance to protect you from expensive claims stemming from — real or perceived — client accidents, injuries, and other damages.
Fast Facts About Personal Training in North Carolina
If you employ three or more people, you may be required to provide workers compensation coverage.*
The average cost North Carolina personal trainers pay with Insurance Canopy is $15.98/month.
*Insurance Canopy offers workers’ compensation insurance as a separate coverage! You can get a free quote here.
FAQs About Personal Trainer Certification in North Carolina
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer in North Carolina?
It will likely cost between $400 and $1000 (depending on the course) for the course itself, study materials, the final exam, and CPR/AED classes.
What Is the Typical Personal Trainer Salary in North Carolina?
Personal trainer pay in North Carolina averages $26.56 per hour, with the highest paying cities listed as:
- Durham: $31.77 per hour
- Charlotte: $31.65 per hour
- Greenville: $31.47 per hour*
*From Indeed
How Long Does It Take To Become a Certified Personal Trainer?
Anywhere between one and eight months, depending on how much time you have to study daily. Most programs list three to six months as the typical amount of time to get certified.
How Do I Find a Job/Where Can I Work After Getting Certified?
Beyond applying to jobs online, leverage your network and talk to local studios, gyms, health clubs, community centers, and other fitness facilities.
Chain or big box gyms:
Local and/or municipal locations:
- Senior centers
- Retirement communities
- Community centers
- Corporate wellness programs
Boutique studios and independent gyms, such as:
- Motion Fitness, Charlotte
- Longwave Yoga, Wilmington
- Underground Fitness, Asheville
- Club Pilates, multiple locations
Resources for Personal Trainers in North Carolina
- Free Fitness Liability Waiver
- Personal Trainer Client Management Software
- What Should I Charge as a Personal Trainer?
- How to Build a Personal Trainer Business Plan
- How to Build Your Own Personal Trainer Website
- Why Personal Trainers Need Insurance
- Personal Trainer Certification Reviews:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
- National Aerobics and Fitness Trainers Association (NAFTA)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
