B. Recertification 6 Month Extension Option

Because the A.A.P.T.E. recognizes that there are circumstances that may render a candidate unable to accumulate the required number of CECs in the allotted timeframe, we have made available an extension provision. There is a six (6) month extension option available to those that do not complete their required continuing education credits by their recertification date. If you fail to acquire the necessary CECs within the six month extension, your certification will be expired / inactive and you will be required retake and pass the A.A.P.T.E. CPT- EFS Exam to receive new certification status from the A.A.P.T.E. You may obtain the extension by mailing a written notification including your name, certification number, original certification date, lapse date, and an extension fee of $75.00. You may also apply online at www.aapte.org  and click on the CEC registration link. The extension fee does not include the recertification fee due upon submission of Recertification Application. Candidates must request the extension prior to their (re)certification expiration date. Upon receiving your notification of extension request and payment, the A.A.P.T.E. will grant the six (6) month extension. Failure to acquire the necessary credits for recertification during the six (6) month extension period will result in an inactive status rendering your certification invalid and you will be required retake and pass the A.A.P.T.E. CPT- EFS Exam to receive certification status from the A.A.P.T.E.

If requesting extension via land mail please send to:

A.A.P.T.E. Recertification Extension
P.O. Box 539
East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

C. Petitioning the A.A.P.T.E. for CEC from other CEC Programs / Providers
In addition to the A.A.P.T.E., you may obtain CEC credits by participating in course offerings given at Universities, Colleges, and workshops, seminars, or clinics, sponsored by other organizations. Credits are awarded based upon the type of program and whether or not the program continues and adds to your education based upon the knowledge required to attain your original certification. All A.A.P.T.E. CEC courses meet the aforementioned criteria. Courses taken outside the AAPTE are awarded .5 CECs per contact hour. All A.A.P.T.E. CEC courses meet the aforementioned criteria. Courses submitted for A.A.P.T.E. CEC approval have a petitioning review fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for one (1) course and a fee of ten dollars ($10) for each additional course per submission. This fee schedule applies per submission. A maximum of 5 CECs may be awarded per course meeting A.A.P.T.E. criteria. Contact hours are instructional and do not include registration, breaks or lunch hours, or test / exams. When petitioning conferences or conventions consisting of multiple workshops, and, or seminars, list each session separately. A maximum of 5 CEC’s may be awarded per one day conference / convention. The petition fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee that credits will be awarded. Course work submitted for approval must have:

1. Confirmation of attendance
2. Complete course description
3. Breakdown of lecture and hands-on portions in terms of total time
4. Instructor Bio
5. Total classroom participation time

Candidates are required to petition for CECs in writing by completing the CEC Petition Application and mailing payment to:

A.A.P.T.E. CEC Petition
P.O. Box 539
East Meadow, N.Y. 11554
or by fax: 516-222-0004

BE SURE TO include all required documentation and forms

Submitted information will be evaluated based on curriculum, educational hours, course format, relevance, and enhancement to your certification. Candidates are advised to obtain approval from the A.A.P.T.E., prior to taking courses outside of the A.A.P.T.E. Be sure to include your name, Certification identification number, and original certification completion date with the A.A.P.T.E. Please allow 30 days from the date of receipt for a response.
NOTE: Sending incomplete information may result in the increase of response time.
Plan ahead! Please submit your CEC Petitions early to ensure sufficient time to receive a response prior to your renewal date. Only CEC Petition Approval Notices (see below) will be reviewed at time of renewal. You MAY NOT submit a petition for CECs along with your renewal application.

D. College / University courses that may be accepted

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Human Biology
• Sports Psychology
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics / Kinesiology
• Nutrition

Each college course credit is equal to two (1.25) A.A.P.T.E. CECs, with a maximum of 6 CEC per course. See petitioning procedures above.

E. Courses Not Approved for CECs

The A.A.P.T.E. recognizes that there are many certification programs available within the fitness industry; the A.A.P.T.E. is specifically a provider of personal training certification and continuing education for personal trainers specifically, and thereby limit approval of continuing education credits within our area of concentration and expertise.
The A.A.P.T.E. will not provide CEC for the following courses, as they do not meet our continuing education criteria relative to personal training:

• Non AAPTE Home Study Courses
• On-Line Courses
• Yoga Certification
• Urban Rebounding
• Pilates Certifications
• Certification Examinations
• Group Fitness Courses and Certifications
• Kick Boxing and Martial Arts Certification

Any course work, examinations or certifications other than those for or related to personal training education.

F. Notice of Acceptance or Denial

The A.A.P.T.E. CPT- EFS professional will be contacted postal mail and/or email announcing the outcome of the petition in approximately 30 days of receipt of petition application. Approval notices must be maintained by the candidate and copies submitted with recertification documentation.

G. Recertification CEC Petition Denial Appeals Process

Candidates who are denied a petitioned CEC course may wish to appeal the decision and may do so within 30 days of notice of denial. Appeals requests must be made in writing to the A.A.P.T.E. Petition Appeals Committee and include any documentation that would substantiate the appeal. Appeals are subject to an administrative fee of $25 per course and will be submitted to the Certification Appeals Committee for review. The Certification Appeals Committee is comprised of three certified professional representatives and will meet via phone, in person, or electronic means. This process requires up to 90 days. All decisions made by the Certification Appeals Committee are final and cannot be appealed again.

H. Certification Appeals Committee

The Certification Appeals Committee is a non-standing committee, formed upon necessity and governed by the A.A.P.T.E. CPFT- HFI Policies and Procedures for standards and procedures of meetings. A majority vote is necessary for denial or approval of an appeal. All decisions made by the Certification Appeals Committee are final and cannot be appealed again.

I. Distant CEC

The A.A.P.T.E. offers certificants the opportunity to write up to 2 research papers for CEC credits in any one recertification period. Certificants can earn CEC credits for research on a specific fitness, nutrition, or health related topic. Papers are a minimum of 5 pages typed, double-spaced using an 11 pt (Arial) font size. Certificants are required to submit three topics of their choice and one will be chosen for which to write your paper. 2.5 CECs will be awarded for a complete paper. Papers must be properly cited and checked for plagiarism. Fee: $80 CECs 2.5. For more information, contact the A.A.P.T.E. by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

J. Carrying over CEC Credits to the Next Certification Period

The A.A.P.T.E. does not carry over CECs when a Certificant has accrued credits in excess of the required CEC amount for recertification to the following certification time period.

K. Requests for Continuing Education Credit Audit

Certificants requesting a search of CECs completed within a recertification period will be required to pay a $65 Administrative fee to the A.A.P.T.E. Requests, along with the audit fees may be mailed to:
A.A.P.T.E. CEC Credit Audit
P.O. Box 539
East Meadow, New York, 11554
Requests may also be completed on line at www.aapte.org on the CEC Calendar page.

L. CPR-AED Certification

To recertify you must maintain and present a copy of current CPR-AED certification. Every time you recertify your CPR-AED, present a copy of the front and back of the card to the A.A.P.T.E. Online credentialing does not meet the CPR-AED requirement.

M. Submitting for Recertification Renewal

At the time of your A.A.P.T.E. CPT- EFS certification renewal all documentation and fees should be mailed to:
A.A.P.T.E. Recertification Administration
P.O. Box 539
East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

N. Notice of Acceptance or Denial

By failing to meet the recertification requirements indicated below, your application for recertification will be denied. In the event that the Certificant's application is denied, he/she will receive a letter from the A.A.P.T.E. stating the reason for denial. The applicant will then have 30 days to resubmit their application or appeal the recertification decision (see Recertification Appeals, Section G)

Documentation not submitted by the recertification deadline

• Extension not requested prior to the certification renewal deadline
• Did not meet the minimum required CECs
• No Petition Application and / or Approval for CECs obtained outside of the A.A.P.T.E.
• Did not meet the minimum requirement of 5 CECs obtained directly from the A.A.P.T.E.
• Recertification fees not paid in full
• Valid Proof of CPR-AED not provided (Online credentialing does not meet the CPR-AED requirement.)