Founded in 1996, the Academy of Applied Personal Training Education has provided comprehensive, practical and science based education opportunities for fitness professionals.

In 2009, the Academy of Applied Personal Training Education was granted accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA — http://www.credentialingexcellence.org) for its Personal Trainer Health Fitness Instructor certification program.

The NCCA is an independent non-governmental agency that accredits certifications in a variety of professions, including nursing and athletic training. NCCA reviews the certification organization's procedures, protocols and operations, and determines if the certification properly discriminates between those who are qualified and those who are not qualified to be awarded the respective credential. With several hundred personal training, fitness related certification available to the public the NCCA accreditation clearly distinguishes the AAPTE Personal Trainer / Health Fitness Instructor Certification from others. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and Medical Fitness Association (MFA) both recommend that club owners and medical fitness facility operators only hire fitness professionals with certifications from agencies accredited through NCCA or an equivalent accrediting organization.

The AAPTE also maintains affiliate membership status with The National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE — www.nbfe.org). The NBFE is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure to the public that qualified fitness professionals who have successfully passed the National Board examination have achieved an approved level of competency in the health and fitness industry. The NBFE promotes the services of qualified fitness professions as a viable means of improving public health.