Scope of practice

Scope of practice is the range of services a personal trainer is qualified to provide: assessing, motivating, educating and training clients toward fitness and health goals.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.} Diagnosing, treating and counseling belong to licensed health care providers.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.} Trying to diagnose a condition from a health history or treat one through exercise likely violates laws against unauthorized medical practice.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.}

The NSCA calls trainers “suspecticians”: a blood pressure reading can prompt a referral for diagnosis or a request for medical clearance, but it doesn’t let a trainer diagnose.^{2Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 675.} When a physician refers a client, the physician’s orders take precedence over the trainer’s.^{3International Personal Trainer Academy, Certified Personal Trainer Textbook, p. 576.}

In practice

• Give general nutrition information from sources such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.} Don’t recommend special diets or specific supplements.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.} Don’t write meal plans unless you’re a licensed or registered dietitian.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.}
• Refer personal problems to a qualified counselor or therapist.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.}
• Refer whenever a client’s needs exceed your recognized expertise or qualifications.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 677.}
• Training clients with medical conditions is within scope after an appropriate health care professional clears them to exercise; monitoring or rehabilitating the condition is not.^{4International Personal Trainer Academy, Certified Personal Trainer Textbook, p. 578.}