How to Work in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer

Traveling as a personal trainer or working in the United States as a fitness trainer indefinitely is something that many foreign fitness-minded individuals are interested in. In the U.S., career opportunities for personal trainers are expected to grow quickly, and the average pay for this career ranges between $22,960 and $75,940, with an average of $40,700 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Review our guide to learn more about becoming a personal trainer in the U.S., and learn the answers to important questions such as:

• What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer?
• How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer in the U.S.?
• How Long Does It Take to Work as a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer in the U.S.?
• Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer in the U.S.?
• What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Personal Trainers?
• What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Personal Trainers?
• Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer?

There aren’t that many steps when it comes to working in the U.S. As a foreign-educated personal trainer, but it’s important to note that this process can be quite competitive. The United States is home to many personal trainers and highly skilled individuals offering these services, and obtaining a work visa to legally travel and exercise your profession in the United States might be a difficult process because of this. The general steps that foreign-educated personal trainers should follow in order to work in the United States can be reviewed below.

1. If English isn’t your first language, ensure that you have a good understanding of it and take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Results from either of these exams help to verify your English proficiency to U.S.-based employers.
2. Formal education isn’t required in the United States to become a personal trainer, but it is recommended to obtain a certification for your personal training skills. Certification will show potential U.S. employers that you are serious about your profession and that you have a basic level of knowledge when it comes to the best techniques for personal training. Organizations that provide the most reputable certifications for personal trainers can be found below; make sure that international residents are eligible to obtain certifications through the programs offered before committing to purchase a training and certification program.
   • American Council on Exercise (ACE)
   • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
   • International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
   • National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
   • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
   • The National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)
3. Once you have a certification, it helps to build up your work experience in your home country. Take time to work with a variety of clients and in a few different companies so you can gain valuable experience that U.S.-based employers will consider unique or valuable.
4. Start looking into U.S.-based companies, gyms, and organizations that you might want to work for. Personal trainers are required in a number of situations ranging from wellness retreats and local gyms to cruise ships and luxury destinations. Select the employment option that you are most interested in so you can start researching more about how international applicants might be accepted into one of these positions.
5. There aren’t currently any state-specific or national requirements that you will need to meet to be considered qualified as a personal trainer. However, if you have an education in a field relevant to personal training work, such as sports medicine, you may want to take the time to obtain a credential evaluation for your degree. A credential evaluation will convert your foreign education to the U.S. equivalent so you can easily apply for U.S. jobs and demonstrate your qualifications to employers.
6. After you have located a job you are interested in and reached out to the employer, securing a potential position, you will need to submit a U.S. visa application. The most common visa for personal trainers is the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability, though both the H-1B visa for specialty occupations and the P-1A athlete visa might apply in certain situations. If you need more information about visa types, it helps to speak to a U.S. immigration lawyer.

When it comes to increasing your chances of moving to the U.S. to work as a personal trainer, building your brand and ensuring that your services are top-notch are very important. To fully qualify for a U.S. work visa, you must demonstrate to a U.S.-based employer that your personal training services are valuable to their company or organization; the employer will sponsor you so you have a chance of earning a U.S. visa. It’s also important to keep in mind that when submitting your documents to U.S.-based employers or applying for a visa with your original documents, you will likely need to obtain certified translations of your documents to reduce delays or rejected applications.

How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer in the U.S.?

The costs associated with becoming a foreign-educated personal trainer in the United States include the costs of personal training certification, visa expenses, English-language testing when applicable, certified translation expenses, the cost of credential evaluations, and various other employment application and travel fees. These costs tend to vary based on where you are obtaining your personal training certification from and your individual situation, but most training courses and certification expenses (including any required exam registrations) range from $400 to $2,000. Most courses and certificates stay around an average of $800. The cost of an H-1B visa is at least $460, though more expenses may be incurred for biometrics and other general application fees. Credential evaluations, where applicable, may cost a few hundred dollars each, and taking either the TOEFL or the IELTS English-language test can range from $200 to $400, not including studying or preparation materials. Overall, the cost of becoming a foreign-educated personal trainer in the U.S. ranges from around $900 to several thousand dollars in total.

How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer in the U.S.?

This will depend on how you go about this process. If you need to take an English language proficiency test and you want to obtain a certification, this can take up to a year. Personal certification programs may be shorter than this or much longer, and many programs offer self-study options so you can take your time completing them. The wait for a U.S. working visa might also affect how long it takes to become a U.S. personal trainer, as these may take between 2 months and 13 months to receive. In general, it might take one to three years to complete all of these steps.

Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Personal Trainer in the U.S.?

Once you have obtained a U.S.-based personal training job and a U.S. work visa, there are no restrictions to working as a personal trainer. However, you must make sure that you are following all of your employment and visa restrictions and adhering to proper practices as outlined in your employer’s guidelines and personal training certification program.

What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Personal Trainers?

There are no national or state-specific requirements for foreign-educated personal trainers. Certification programs and general education requirements might be required of foreign-educated personal trainers, but this is typically evaluated on an employment basis as here are no state licensing or certification boards.

What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Personal Trainers?

Many foreign-educated personal trainers will need to apply for the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability, though H-1B visas for specialty occupations or even P-1A athlete visas might be applicable. You may want to consult with a U.S. immigration lawyer to determine which visa type is best for your specific situation and employment desires.

Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

Certified translations are an important part of working in the U.S. as a foreign-educated personal trainer. If you have obtained education in a foreign country, you will need these documents translated so you can submit them to credential evaluation services, U.S.-based employers, and a visa application. Any personal training certifications or employment history must also be translated for easy review by those in the United States. You can visit our online store to get your certified translations for any of the following documents:

• Diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Business licenses and certifications
• Resumes and employment records
• Birth certificates

Order Your Certified Translation