Renewing your AFAA Group Fitness Instructor certification is a routine part of maintaining your credential, but it’s much easier when you know what’s required before your renewal deadline arrives. Understanding the AFAA Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements can help you stay on track and avoid any last-minute surprises.
Here’s what you need to know about AFAA recertification requirements, earning CEUs, the renewal process and what to do if your credential expires.
What Are AFAA CEUs?
AFAA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are the credits you earn by completing approved courses between certification renewals. They form an important part of the recertification process while helping you continue developing your knowledge and skills as a group fitness instructor.
Continuing education is about more than simply maintaining your certification. It’s an opportunity to stay up to date with current fitness practices, strengthen your coaching skills and continue growing as an instructor. Whether you teach strength, cycle, HIIT or mind-body classes, ongoing learning can help you deliver an even better experience for your participants.
There are several ways to earn AFAA CEUs, including:
- Online courses
- Live workshops
- Conferences
- Specialist certifications
- Webinars
- Other AFAA-approved continuing education activities
While there are plenty of fitness education courses available, not all will count toward your recertification, so it’s important to check that a course has been approved for AFAA CEUs if you plan to use it for your renewal.
What Do You Need to Renew Your AFAA Certification?
To keep your AFAA Group Fitness Instructor certification active, you’ll need to meet a handful of recertification requirements every two years. While there are a few requirements to meet, staying on top of them throughout your certification period can make renewal much easier.
To renew your certification, you’ll generally need to:
- Complete 1.5 AFAA-approved CEUs (15 contact hours)
- Maintain a current adult CPR and AED certification
- Submit your renewal before your certification expires
- Pay the applicable renewal fee
Once you’ve met these requirements, you’re ready to submit your renewal through the Recertification Portal. The process can be completed online in just a few simple steps.
Renewing Your AFAA Certification In Three Simple Steps
Step 1: Complete Your Required CEUs
Ensure you’ve completed the required 1.5 AFAA-approved CEUs (15 contact hours) before submitting your renewal.
If you’ve completed courses through AFAA or NASM, your continuing education may automatically appear in your Recertification Portal. If you’ve earned CEUs through another approved provider, you may need to upload proof of completion when submitting your renewal.
Step 2: Access the Recertification Portal
Log in to your AFAA Customer Portal and navigate to the Recertification Portal. From there, you can review your CEU records, upload any required documentation and complete your renewal application.
Before submitting your application, make sure your adult CPR and AED certification is current, as this is also required to complete your recertification.
Step 3: Submit Your Renewal and Payment
Once you’ve reviewed your information, submit your renewal application and pay the $99 recertification fee through the portal.
You’ll receive a confirmation email once your application has been received. If any additional information is required, AFAA will contact you during the review process. Once your renewal has been approved, your certification will remain valid for another two-year cycle.
What Happens If Your Certification Expires?
If your certification expires before you renew it, don’t panic. AFAA provides a 90-day grace period after your certification expires, giving you additional time to complete your CEUs and submit your renewal. Keep in mind, however, that late fees apply during this period, so renewing before your expiration date is generally the simplest and most cost-effective option.
If your certification has expired for longer than the grace period, additional renewal or reinstatement requirements may apply, depending on your circumstances.
Because many employers, fitness facilities and insurers require instructors to hold a current certification, allowing your credential to lapse may temporarily affect your ability to teach.
Tips for Making AFAA Recertification Easier
Staying organised between renewals can save time and effort when it’s time to recertify. A few simple habits can help keep everything on track, including:
- Taking advantage of online learning. Many AFAA-approved CEU courses are available online, making it easier to fit them around your teaching schedule, work commitments and personal life.
- Completing your CEUs gradually rather than leaving them until the weeks before your renewal.
- Uploading your CEUs as you earn them to help keep your records up to date.
- Keeping copies of your completion certificates in case you need to provide supporting documentation.
- Tracking your renewal and CPR certification expiry dates so you don’t miss an important deadline.
By keeping your records up to date as you complete your CEUs, there’ll be very little left to do when it’s time to renew. Instead of rushing to meet deadlines, you’ll simply need to review your records, submit your renewal and payment, and enjoy another two years of certification.
Make Your Next AFAA Renewal Simple
Earning the CEUs you need doesn’t have to mean putting your teaching or personal commitments on hold. At Fitness Education Online, our AFAA-approved fitness CEU courses help you work toward recertification while building practical knowledge you can apply in your classes straight away.
Study at your own pace, wherever and whenever it suits you. Whether you’re renewing your certification or looking to expand your skills into a new area of fitness, our accredited online courses support both your immediate recertification requirements and your long-term professional development.
Our goal is to make AFAA recertification as straightforward as possible by providing practical, accredited education that helps you meet your CEU requirements while continuing to build your knowledge as a group fitness instructor.
