Bill > H185

This bill, titled "To encourage well qualified practitioners in the field of personal training," aims to establish standards for individuals who wish to work as personal trainers in Massachusetts. It defines key terms such as "fitness facility" (any health club, spa, or studio, whether for-profit or not-for-profit) and "personal trainer" (someone who creates exercise plans and demonstrates exercises for individuals). The bill mandates that to be considered a personal trainer, individuals must either be certified by a nationally recognized organization whose certification process is approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), or hold a credential from an accredited educational institution in a related field. Importantly, group exercise instructors, who lead classes for multiple people, are exempt from these new requirements. The bill also includes provisions for when these new requirements will take effect, with a general three-year delay and a five-year delay for those who have already been practicing as personal trainers for three consecutive years.