New Requirements for Fitness Instructors Under the Law

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has approved the certification procedure for instructors at fitness centers and gyms, defining the conditions for certification, the application process, requirements for retraining, and the grounds for issuing and suspending certification.

The purpose of the new regulation is to regulate the assessment of the professional compliance of fitness instructors conducting professional activities in the field and to ensure the quality of services. This regulation applies to all organizations operating in the field and providing services, regardless of their ownership structure.

Certification
Individuals with a higher professional education or at least secondary professional education in related fields (aerobics, yoga, pilates, body flex, Zumba, stretching) and a relevant retraining certificate, or at least three years of work experience as an instructor in fitness centers or gyms (regardless of ownership form) may apply for certification.

Retraining
For instructors lacking relevant higher education, retraining will be mandatory, covering at least the following topics: anatomy, physiology, sports medicine, first aid, endocrinology, injury prevention, basic nutrition, exercise methodology, safety rules, involving qualified specialists. The duration of retraining must be no less than 144 hours, and the practical component of retraining cannot be conducted via distance learning. Retraining certificates may only be issued to participants who successfully pass the minimum knowledge verification threshold set by the training organization’s program. Specialists holding a retraining certificate may apply to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports to obtain certification. The certification will be valid for five years.

Newly hired and uncertified instructors are required to apply for certification within one month of their employment.

Submission of Applications for Certification
Applications for obtaining certification are submitted electronically. The applicant must provide the following documents: a copy of an identity document, a copy of a diploma of higher professional education or a diploma of at least secondary professional education in a related field, a certificate confirming at least three years of work experience as an instructor in fitness centers or gyms (regardless of ownership form), a relevant retraining certificate, and a completed application form for certification (Form 2).

According to the regulation, administrative penalties may be applied to organizations that do not comply with the requirements set by instructors or in the absence of certification. The adoption of this regulation is conditioned by the necessity to improve the quality of services in physical culture and sports, as well as to ensure the health and safety of citizens.