Personal Trainer Certificate Program FAQs

The Personal Trainer Certificate Program is a 10-month, full-time course. It is a blended online and in-person program. You can get certified to become a personal trainer in less than a year.

Once you complete the Personal Trainer program you will be able to work in a variety of settings, such as private fitness facilities, leisure and recreation centres, resorts and hotels and post-secondary schools. You can even become your own boss, taking on clients however it best suits your schedule and lifestyle. 

While not mandatory, graduates of MaKami’s Personal Trainer program can choose to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) exam. The ACE personal training certification is widely recognized and allows you to practice in Canada, the USA and other international locations.

When you enroll in MaKami’s Personal Training program, you will receive an iPad with all your courses pre-loaded, as well as an American Council on Exercise (ACE) book, the leading handbook for professional personal trainers in the field. It is optional but recommended to take the ACE exam after graduating so you can become an ACE-certified personal trainer and work in Canada and internationally. 

There are many differences between MaKami’s Personal Training program and CanFitPro. Learn more about how to choose the right personal training certification for you, or check out MaKami’s personal training curriculum to learn more.

Yes it is! MaKami is recognized by the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education as we are a publicly funded, not-for-profit independent academic institution and listed on the Government of Canada’s list of Designated Learning Institutions. We are also in good standing with NHP Canada, CRMTA, and the Canadian Sports Massage Therapists Association.

This program is offered year-round at our Calgary and Edmonton campuses. Contact us for more information.

• Minimum 18 years of age, and
• Demonstrated readiness for post-secondary study through meeting one or more of the following:
  • Admission interview with the institution
  • Relevant work or volunteer experience
  • Successful completion of a MaKami College approved entrance equivalency exam
  • Completion of post-secondary studies or continuing education, including certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
  • If the credentials are from outside Canada, the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) may be accepted to determine equivalencies.

Additional Considerations:

• Each application is reviewed holistically, recognizing formal education, experiential learning, and demonstrated competencies.
• Mature Admission decisions are based on academic readiness, professional experience, and learner potential, not solely on traditional credentials.

All applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Acceptable evidence includes one of the following (subject to institutional approval):

• IELTS Academic: Overall 5.5 (no individual band below 5.0)
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score 59 or 3.5
• PTE Academic: Overall score 45–52
• CAEL: Overall score 50
• CLB: Level 6 overall
• CELPIP: Overall score 6
• Duolingo English Test (DET): Score 95
• ELL 6 of higher
• Completion of post-secondary or continuing education, including certificates, diplomas, or degrees, completed in the English Language

Additional Considerations:

• MaKami College supports multiple entry points and may recommend upgrading, preparatory studies, or conditional admission where appropriate.
• Official test results must be submitted directly to the institution.
• English language test results must be valid within two (2) years of the date of testing.

The English language proficiency requirements for the Personal Training program described herein came into effect for applications submitted on or after January 2026.

Applicants may be eligible for admission and/or advanced standing through a transfer pathway based on prior post-secondary education.

Transfer pathways may include:

1. Internal Program Transfers
   • Graduates or students from MaKami College programs may transfer into another program or cohort subject to:
     • Program relevance
     • Academic standing
     • Credit transfer eligibility
     • Institutional approval
2. External Transfer Agreements

• Applicants who have completed coursework at recognized post-secondary institutions may be considered for admission and/or advanced standing through:
  • Formal articulation or transfer agreements, where applicable.

3. Transfer Alberta

• Where applicable, transfer credit may be granted in accordance with Transfer Alberta guidelines.
• Transfer decisions are subject to:
  • Transfer Alberta equivalency listings
  • Institutional policies
  • Program-specific learning outcomes

Transfer credit does not guarantee admission and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants still are required to meet the program admission standards.