Pta Global Program Design Tool

PTA Global is a popular fitness certification organization that several people have asked me about. This review will be about the PTA Global certified personal trainer program. In this review, you'll learn about the Personal Training Academy Global certification and exam including how much it costs, what you need to know about the course, and how to get re-certified. Several other important questions you need to know will also be addressed. Is PTA Global a good cert? Here's what I discovered.

Other Certification Reviews

AAAI/ISMA Personal Trainer Review
AAAI/ISMA Master Personal Trainer Review
ACE Personal Trainer Review
ACE Exam Review
ACSM Personal Trainer Review
NASM Personal Trainer Review
NASM CES Review
NSCA vs NASM Review
WITS Personal Trainer Test Review
NCCPT Test Review

How Was This Review Prepared

This review was created using free documents provides on the PTA Global website such as:

PTA Global Exam Handbook
CPT Exam Questions And Answers
Program Extension Request Form

I also called the organization to help with my own questions.

How Much is PTA Global CPT Cert?

The cost for the online course, NCCA exam, Online Study Guide, Sales and Retention Templates, Online Program Design tool and Manual is $799. That is a lot of money but I have seen some organizations costing more than this. This also includes 1 year access to PTontheNet, an online fitness education website.

In addition to the personal trainer cert, the organization also offers these advanced credentials too:

Behavior Change in Exercise ($299)
Exercise and Stress Management ($299)
Mindset Performance ($199)

PTA Global Textbook

The name of the textbook is the PTA Global Guide to Personal Training. When you purchase the course and exam, a PDF of the manual is included.

You can also purchase a hard copy of the textbook. The cost of the textbook alone is $49.95.

You cannot purchase the PDF version alone.

What Grade Is Passing?

The minimum grade needed to pass PTA Global CPT is 72%. They call this the "cut score" in their handbook.

How To Prepare For The PTA Global CPT Exam

Here is a quick video to help you prepare:

PTA Global Registration Process

Here is a summary of the registration process:

Go to PTAGlobal.com and register online. You pay $799 for the course and textbook. The textbook they use is a downloadable PDF. You can also purchase a hard copy version of the textbook. The hard copy is $49.95
After paying for the course, you receive a confirmation email with the details and your receipt.

Pretty straight forward.

Can I Just Purchase The Exam?

Yes. You can just purchase only the PTA Global exam if you feel you already know enough to pass. The cost of the exam alone is $350. With this option, you will not have the ability to view any of the course work. You only get the exam. Once purchased you have 60 days to take the exam.

What Is The PTA Global CPT Exam Like?

The final exam is 120 questions. Questions are multiple-choice (4 possible answered each). You have 3 hours to complete the exam. That's a good amount of time.

Of these 120 questions, 20 are possible future test questions which are not factored into your score. So, in reality, the PTA Global exam is 100 questions.

If you think you need more time to complete the exam, you must request this before your exam date.

Do I Get a Certification if I Pass?

personal-fitness-training-beyond-the-basics

Personal Fitness Training: Beyond The Basics

If you pass the CPT exam, PTA Global will email you a PDF certificate within 4 weeks of the exam date.

If you want a hard copy certificate, you can purchase it from PTA Global. OK, I'll just say it: Considering the course/exam is $800, requesting more money for a hard copy cert is kind of cheap if you ask me.

Do I Find Out Immediately If I Passed?

Yes. Tests are scored electronically. After your exam, your test will be scored instantly and you will receive a preliminary grade telling if you passed or not. Remember, the scores will still need to be verified by PTAG. This verification can take up to 2 weeks before it is official.

How Many Times Can I Retake the PTA Global CPT Exam?

You are allowed to take the test 3 times. If you fail the test 3 times, you will have to purchase the exam again if you want to take it more times.

How Long Does The PTA Global Cert Last?

The PTA Global certifications will last 2 years. You need to accumulate 20 CECs (continuing education credits) before the expiration date printed on your certificate. You must also have proof of current CPR/AED certification too.

You submit your CECs on the "my education" tab of your PTAG account located on their website.

How Old Do You Have To Be?

You have to be at least 18 years of age to take the PTA Global personal trainer test. This is a common age for many -but not all – organizations.

See how young can a personal trainer be for more insights.

Is A College Degree Needed?

No college degree is required prior to taking the PTA Global exam but you do need to have graduated high school or have a GED before you are allowed to take the exam.

PTA Global Recertification

Along with your 20 CECs, you will pay a $99 rectification fee. Re-certification fees are normal in the fitness business. If you are late in re-certifying, you will incur the following additional fees as well:

$30 certification restoration fee if 90 days late
$50 if more than 30 days but less than 1 year late

What is PTA Global Lifetime Certification?

The PTA Global Lifetime Certification program costs $299. By paying this one-time fee, you will never have to pay the $99 fee for recertifying. In the long run, this will save you money.

Technically, you are not certified for life. Remember, you still have to maintain your cert by accumulating 20 CECs every 2 years.

Does ACE Accept PTA Global?

ACE fitness trainers may opt to take programs offered by PTA Global to help them maintain their ACE certifications. ACE does accept several PTAG programs such as:

Exercise and Stress Management
PTA Global Foundations Course
Behavior Change in Exercise

If you are ACE certified, contact ACE first to see if the PTAG program you are considering is accepted for re-certification.

It's likely other organizations –NSCA, NASM, NPTI, etc – accept PTA Global courses too. Contact the organization you are certified by to find out which programs they accept.

PTA Global Questions And Answers

1 Is the CPT exam proctored?

The NCCA exam – which you take in a classroom – is proctored. The Non- NCCA Certificate, this is taken online without supervision.

2 Can I ask questions during the CPT exam?

The CPT exam proctor is not permitted to answer exam-related questions during the testing period.

3 How long do I have to take the PTA Global exam?

You have 6 months (180 days) to take and pass the final exam. You must obtain your CPR and AED certification within this time as well.

personal trainer practice test

Personal Trainer Practice Test: 300 questions that will challenge most trainers.

The 180 days begins the day you purchase the personal trainer course. Consider this before you sign up. If you purchased only the exam -and not the study materials – you have to take the test within 60 days.

This is important.

You must take and pass the exam within 60 days if you only purchase the test. You get 180 days (6 months) if you purchase the test AND course material.

Note the NCCA exam must be taken and completed within 6 months. There is not an additional 60 days after the 180 timeframes are completed.

4 Can I get an extension if I can't complete it within 180 days?

Yes. PTA Global allows you to purchase up to 3 extensions if needed. Each extension is good for 60 days. So, if you needed, you could purchase 3 extensions, for a total of 180 extra days (60 days x 3 = 180 days).

Each 60-day extension costs $59. There are no discounts on purchasing 2 or 3 test extensions at once. Here is the cost breakdown listed on the PTA Global Extension Request form:

One 60 day text extension: $59
Two 60 day text extensions: $118
Three 60 day test extensions: 177

If you cannot complete or pass the certification exam within 1 year (365 days), you will have to purchase the entire program again. The cost to re-purchase is $350.

5 I only purchased the test. Can I get an extension?

Contact PTA Global about this. They can be reached at 877-647-0690.

6 PTA Global NCCA exam vs. non-NCCA exam

NCCA stands for National Commission for Certifying Agencies. It's basically an organization that certifies the certification organizations. Some in the fitness business feel NCCA accredited certifications are better than non accredited organizations.

I am not convinced NCCA accredited fitness organizations are better than non-accredited organizations.

That said, there are 2 versions of the PTA Global CPT exam:

NCCA exam
Non-NCCA exam

What's the difference?

The NCCA CPT exam must be taken at a testing facility. NCCA exams have various security measures in place to prevent cheating and other protocols that must be adhered to, such as items covered in this review.

The non-NCCA CPT exam, you take on your computer, in your home. Both tests are basically the same in all other respects.

Some fitness centers may require trainers possess only NCAA-accreted certifications. While I do not agree with this policy, if you plan on working at a fitness center, talk to whoever is in charge at the gym and see which option they recommend for you.

If you live too far from an NCCA testing center, consider another NCCA certification. PTA Global is not the only organization out there. Other NCCA fitness certs include:

ACE
ACSM
NCCPT
NETA
NSCA
NASM

As well as others.

Whichever organization you chose, I do NOT recommend going in to credit card debt to get certified. Save up the money to pay for the exam before you register.

7 Does PTA Global accept PayPal?

It looks like they only accept:

Visa
MasterCard
American Express

When in doubt call them to make sure.

8 PTA Global refunds

Under some circumstances, refunds are possible. Under other circumstances, it's less likely. For example, the PTA

101-personal-trainer-marketing-secrets-get-more-clients-make-more-money

101 proven ways to get clients and keep them

Global FAQ document states a refund for the CPT program is possible if:

the course less than 10% complete
you request a refund within 30 days of purchase

Note there may be bank charges which reduce your refund.

There are no refunds if:

More than 10% of the video content is viewed
you request a refund after 30 days of purchase.

In addition, there are no refunds if:

You arrive late for your test
You do not have your exam code or CPR/AED certificate
Your photo ID is not current or invalid
You do not show up for your scheduled exam

9 What about retesting fees?

If you don't show up for an exam, they treat it as if you failed the test.

Under some circumstances, PTAG may waive the retest fee, but it's at their discretion. Some reasons they may consider waiving the fee include the following:

death of an immediate member of the family
serious illness suffered by you or immediate family member
disabling traffic accident
jury duty
court appearance
unexpected military deployment

To receive a waiver, you must email PTA Global within 10 days of the exam date and tell them your reason. Your email should also include supporting documentation as well.

10 What forms of ID are accepted?

You must present a photo ID to be allowed to take the CPT exam. Proctors will check ID before you are allowed to enter the testing area. This is to make sure you are who you say you are and reduce cheating.

Both drivers license and passport are accepted. Photo IDs must include a current photograph of you along with your signature and your address.

Exam proctors are provided with a list of people taking the exam at each testing location. You must place your initials next to your name. If you are not on their list, you will not be permitted to take the CPT exam.

11 Prohibited devices

The following items are not permitted in the exam room:

wristwatches
electronic translators
cell phones
computers/tablets
E-readers
Cameras
MP3 players, radios
calculators

Unless the device has been pre-approved by PTAG for accommodation, all electronic devices are prohibited inside the exam room.

You also not permitted to bring any written material into the exam room. This includes study notes you created for yourself.

You are not permitted to discuss any aspect of the exam with others during the testing period or during scheduled breaks.

12 Can I eat during the exam?

rhabdo-exercise-book

Rhabdo: You NEED to know about rhabdomyolysis.

You are not permitted to eat or drink in the exam room unless you have provided prior medical documentation stating it is necessary for you. You must receive prior approval from PTAG before the exam date.

13 Can I go to the bathroom during the exam?

Once the test has begun, you are not permitted to leave the exam room other than during a scheduled break. Proctors are permitted to make an exception under some circumstances, but only one person at a time can be excused.

The 3 hour testing time limit will not be extended for those who need to leave the testing room.

14 What about cheating?

PTA Global takes cheating on the test very seriously – as they should. Everyone is on the honor system to report suspected cheating. If you are caught cheating during the exam, you will be asked to leave.

If you are caught speaking to anyone during a break you may be accused of cheating. This can result in you failing the exam.

In fact, the PTA Global handbook goes as far as to say:

"failure to alert the proctor of PTAG to such activity will be deemed a violation of the Testing Rules of Conduct."

In other words, if you see cheating – and don't report it, you too can be in as much trouble as if you did the cheating yourself.

You are not allowed to take the test home with you after the exam or copy the test. The exam is their intellectual property. PTA Global states they reserve the right to report suspected test theft to your school, employer, any licensing body -and even to law enforcement.

15 Can I use an online CPR certification?

No. You must take a CPR/AED certification exam which includes a hands-on /practical component. Online CPR exams are not accepted. You will be asked to present proof of your CPR/AED cert before you are allowed to sit for the exam.

Accepted CPR/AED programs include those offered by:

Red Cross
American Heart Association
EMS safety services
National Safety Council
St. John Ambulance
American Safety and Health Institute

No online CPR /AED certifications are accepted.

16 Can online quizzes help?

I'm all for taking practice exams because we can never be over-prepared for a test. Many have probably heard of a website called Quizlet which provides answers to test questions for a variety of fitness exams.

If you use online resources, double-check the answers yourself to make sure they are correct. That way you will learn the material better too.

17 Is there a PTA Global Internship?

Currently, no internship is required to be certified. If you are certified but never trained anyone, see this review for what to do – and not do – with your very first client.

18 What gyms accept PTA Global?

Several fitness centers accept PTA Global including these:

Crunch Fitness	Fitness SF
Fitness Connection	Orange Theory Fitness
24 Hour Fitness	X Sport Fitness
You Fit Health Club	Steve Nash Sports Club
Renegade Fitness

19 How many are PTA Global Certified?

I reached out to the company who told me about 11,000 people hold the PTA Global credential

Contact PTA Global

The address listed on the company website is 32107 Lindero Canyon Road Suite 233 Westlake Village, CA 91361.

PTA Global Contact phone number: 877-647-0690

According to a Bloomberg company profile, the company was founded in 2008 and has its headquarters at 1774 Platte Street Denver, CO 80202. This is the same address as PTonTheNet, an online personal training education company (PTontheNet.com).

Bloomberg also states PTA Global was formally a subsidiary of another company called Fitness Professionals Ltd. a fitness education company based in the United Kingdom. Both companies appear to be not associated anymore.

The president of PTA Global is Dr. Keven Steele, Ph.D. His LinkedIn profile also states he's also the President of PtontheNet. The vice president is Dan Duran.

PTA Global: Good and Bad

These are my opinions after reviewing the material.

Pro	Con
Proctored exam	Expensive
Been around a long time	Must pay extra for a hard copy of the cert
Stringent anti-cheating policy	Lots of fees

Is PTA Global A Good Cert?

Like all fitness certification organizations, there are pros and cons. The same can be said about most organizations. If you are going to be working at a gym with the PTA Global cert, consider the cost and how much you will make in the gym. Remember, to be successful, you need to be qualified -not just certified. The best way to do that is to keep educating yourself after you pass your certification exam.

Any Comments Or Questions?