CFES National and International Certification Program
CFES is pleased to present our enriched and comprehensive fitness education, leadership training, certification and professional advancement program. CFES Specialized Fitness Leadership Program modules are designed to take students through the steps in national aquatic, group fitness and weight training instructor and personal trainer certification.
CFES recognizes AFLCA, BCRPA, CALA, FNB, IFC, MFC, OFC, SPRA and National YMCA Certification as current equivalency to CFES Certification programs. Individuals with these qualifications can cross transfer into CFES Certification Program within the time period of September 2011-September 2013. After this time, CFES will review on a case by case basis and may determine that re-testing is required for recognition.
CFES: Setting a Higher Standard
CFES considers certification of fitness leaders as serious business. Consistent certification standards, authenticity, integrity and leadership effectiveness are the foundation upon which our industry rests its credibility and reputation.
In 2011 CFES launched an enriched and comprehensive national fitness leadership certification and membership program that will provide professionals a new choice, additional credentials and an opportunity for national recognition, achievement and advancement.
CFES: A Pioneer Leader
Since 1980 CFES has distributed comprehensive provincially and nationally recognized program resources to qualified educators, fitness and recreation centres, gyms, private clubs, high schools, colleges, and universities in BC and across Canada. Thousands of students have appreciated the CFES approach to fun, academically credible, challenging, practical and rewarding courses, workshops and conferences.
CFES National Certification Standard
CFES programs, resources, and certification requirements are presented the same way all across Canada. Course conductors teach the programs utilizing the required CFES Educator Kits for consistent program delivery. Students receive matching resources to the Educator (student resource manuals, program booklets, study guides, course assignments, exam and forms) providing a smooth education experience.
Educators issue an Instructor Skills Assessment (ISA) certificate when the student demonstrates effective leadership skills to be employable. This is the CFES standard. Course Educators charge a fee for ISA.
Students needing more instructional practice may attend another practicum program (PP) or sign up with a leadership mentor to practice teach until they are ready for the ISA (PP fees will be charged by your SA Evaluator).
CFES fitness leadership programs are presented with up-to-date, evidence-based research, practically applied for leadership development in CFES learning outcomes, resources and requirements.
Courses, resources, exams, and skills assessments are revised regularly with both educator and student input.
Exam questions are added and revised regularly, keeping exam banks full of fresh.
A passing grade of 80 percent is required for each certification requirement.
CFES Re-certification Standard
Re-certification requirement steps for each certification designation are consistent across Canada. CFES is developing specialized re-certification programs for professional advancement. Programs will be offered for all CFES certification levels.
CFES Introduces Levels of Advancement Program for Certification and Re-certification
• CFES will begin with Level 1 and present new levels and programs during our pilot year, programs are currently being fine tuned and criteria established for each level;
• Each level will offer required and optional programs with exit criteria to pass;
• All re-certification credit hours from a recognized course or workshop will apply to your next level (e.g. You took a 40 hour course. Eight credit hours will go to your CFES re-certification annual requirement while all 40 credit hours will be applied to your next certification level.).
• Level 1 Certified: Accomplish 100 recognized learning hours
• Level 2 Certified: Accomplish 200 additional recognized learning hours
• Level 3 Certified: Accomplish 300 additional recognized learning hours
Equivalencies for CFES Fitness Leadership Re-certification Requirements
CFES understands it is not always possible to follow the exact CFES re-certification requirements. CFES will review re-certification requests individually with the candidate to determine an appropriate re-certification program. We will accept the following equivalencies to “approximately” match the re-certification requirements for Instructor, Personal Trainer and Educator:
• Develop and present a workshop
• Write a substantial article for CFES website or
• Develop a new classroom or online program or workshop (can be in CFES partnership)
• Teach relevant fitness topics in an educational setting (e.g. elementary or high school Phys Ed teacher, college or university professor) or
• Do a modified Skills Assessment for each leadership certification in which you need to re-certify, or
• Present equivalency ideas to CFES for review.
CFES National Affiliations and Recognition
CFES courses are recognized by a variety of specialized national fitness leadership agencies, including: the Canadian Aquatics Leaders Alliance (CALA) and the Canadian Personal Trainers Network (CPTN).
The CFES Fitness Knowledge and CFES Weight Training Instructor Courses are also approved by the College of Massage Therapists of BC for credits for Continuing Education/Professional Development. The Fitness Knowledge Homestudy Program is approved by the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta and Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan for credits in Continuing Education/Professional Development.
The BC Ministry of Education and Alberta Education have approved our manuals for PE course credits for students in grades 10-12. Our programs are integrated two-year college health and fitness diploma programs in Canada.
CFES courses and resources are also recognized by the National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA), which includes the BCRPA Fitness Branch, Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, Manitoba Fitness Council, Ontario Fitness Council, Fitness New Brunswick, Island Fitness Council (PEI) and the Nova Scotia Fitness Association.
