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At AFAA® Your Success

is Our Business

We want to help you pursue your passion for fitness and become an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. To get started, you must complete and pass AFAA’s NCCA-accredited Group Fitness Instructor certification exam.

To Become An AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Candidates Must Meet The Following Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must have current Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification prior to sitting for the exam (not required to purchase the GFI).
ALERT

IMPORTANT COVID-19 NOTICE

AFAA recognizes that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is very limited availability of hands on skills assessments for CPR/AED certifications. AFAA will be temporarily waiving the hands on skills assessment requirement and accepting online only CPR/AED courses. This waiver applies to exam candidates and professionals recertifying their credentials.

This waiver will be in effect until the CDC and government recommendations for social distancing have been lifted in the United States. Once the social distancing orders have been lifted, there will be a 60 day window before the hands on requirement will be reinstated.

AFAA recommends that anyone who certified or recertified during the Waiver Period obtain the hands-on skills assessment once available to avoid any insurance or liability issues which could arise due to the lack of such training.

Please note: The online course must still include Adult CPR and AED

Preparation for the Exam

 

Certification

Candidate Handbook

The Certification Candidate Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the AFAA-CGFI certification and is required reading before taking the exam. The Candidate Handbook covers important topic such as eligibility requirements, the exam outline, expectations and recertification.  Read More

 

Study Guide

View our study guide with helpful key highlights, terms and concepts.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We have curated a comprehensive list of what we expect to be the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please take a look. If you still need help, give us a call.

Note: Purchase of AFAA certification preparation materials is not required in order to become eligible to sit for the Group Fitness Instructor exam, and does not guarantee a passing score on the exam.

Taking The Exam

ALERT

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Given the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, exams are now available both in-person and through a live, remote proctor. If you would like to take your AFAA-GFI exam online, please contact our Member Services department at 1-800-460-6276 to have your test record adjusted.
1

Print and Review

Please print and review the AFAA Certification Candidate Handbook for information regarding testing procedures for the AFAA- CGFI exam. For information on taking the AFAA Primary Group Exercise and/or Personal Fitness Trainer exams, please call AFAA Member Services 800-446-2322.
2

Register

The GFI Exam is currently being offered both online and in-person. You will be eligible to schedule your exam (3) business days after signing up with AFAA.

IN-PERSON TEST: Register for your exam by calling PSI Testing: 1-833-537-1330 (US & Canada), or +1 702-939-6797 (Intl). Note: If the country in which you are looking to schedule your exam is unavailable for registration online or over the phone through PSI, please contact AFAA Member Services at 800-446-2322 to start your registration process. Please allow 4-6 weeks for scheduling.

ONLINE TEST: Register for your exam by logging into the testing platform with your established login credentials at https://nasm.ysasecure.com/login. Note: You will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance.

3

What You Need

At the time of your test, you will be required to show proof of a valid, current, government-issued Photo ID and current, valid Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification.*

After The Exam

Once You Pass the Exam

Once you pass the exam, you will be able to print a temporary certificate from your Account Page after three to five business days. An official certificate will be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks of passing the exam.

If You Do Not Pass the Exam

If you do not pass the exam, call AFAA’s Member Services Department at 800-446-2322 to purchase a retest. Candidates who do not pass the certification exam on the first attempt will be allowed to retake the exam after a 1-week waiting period. If the candidate is unsuccessful after the second attempt, he/she will be required to wait 30 days before retaking the exam. For each repeated failure after the 3rd attempt, candidates will be required to wait a year before attempting to take the exam again.

For information on how to retake the AFAA Primary Group Exercise and/or Personal Fitness Trainer exams, please contact AFAA Member Services at 800-446-2322.

If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule Your Exam

If you need to cancel or reschedule your in-person exam appointment, call PSI at least 24 hours before the exam start time to avoid being charged a late cancellation fee. If you do not show for an exam appointment and you do not cancel, it will be treated as a failed attempt and you will not be entitled to a refund.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your online exam appointment, log in to the testing platform to do so. You can reschedule or cancel a booking no less than 24 hours before the exam start time.

PSI Contact Information:

(USA & Canada): 800-733-9267

(Outside USA & Canada): +1 702-904-7375

Why is AFAA® the best choice?
  • History
    Since 1983 AFAA has led the industry on Group Fitness instruction
  • Workshops
    Receive valuable hands-on training from an industry expert
  • Continuing Education
    Bolster your career and broaden your skills with specializations in Yoga, Indoor Cycling and more

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