As the Standards setting body for the European health and fitness sector EHFA has launched their programme accreditation process. 

This process allows organisations at national, regional or local level to apply for their fitness programmes to be mapped against the EHFA Standards and Competence Framework.

During the Accreditation process, each submission is considered on its merits and the EHFA Accreditation Unit (EAU) evaluates content and ensures that the programmes are fit for purpose in producing candidates that can demonstrate the skills and competence required and identified in the EHFA Standards to produce a Health and Fitness Professional.

The EHFA Standards have been agreed as the minimum requirements for an individual to be called a professional.  The Accreditation process will not rate one programme against another.

EHFA Accreditation Unit has a number of applicants in Europe (and beyond) who are currently going through the process of verification.

Since the beginning of 2008 the following Training Providers have been successfully accredited (please see below):  


SAFE - Sweden 
Date of accreditation: 23rd November 2009.
Qualifications accredited:

• Group Fitness Instructor aligned to EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor
  
  

Institut des Métiers de la Forme (IMF) - France 
Date of accreditation: 28th November 2009
Qualifications accredited:

• Group Fitness Instructor aligned to EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor
• Fitness Instructor aligned to EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor

SIAF - Italy

Qualifications accredited:

• Allenamenti di Condizionamento Muscolare di Gruppo, and Allenamenti di Condizionamento Muscolare in Sala Macchine e Cardiofitness are aligned  to EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor
• Allenamenti Aerobici di Gruppo con la Musica is aligned effectively to EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor Allenamenti di AcquaFitness is aligned to EQF Level 3 Aqua Fitness Instructor Personal Training is aligned effectively to EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

SIAF received EHFA accreditation in October 2009.

National Council for Exercise and Fitness (NCEF) -  University of Limerick Ireland

The NCEF, as an academic affiliate of the University of Limerick, offers the Certificate in Exercise &  Health Fitness,  Level 6 (Irish)  National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), EQF Level 5 and the Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness, Level 7 (Irish) National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and, EQF Level 6.

NCEF received EHFA accreditation in October 2009 and NCEF qualifications are therefore aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness (CEHF) is aligned to EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor and EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor
• The Personal  Training module of the Diploma in Exercise and Health Fitness (DEHF) is aligned to EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer.

International Wellness Institute - Hungary

This private training organisation is based in Budapest, Hungary.  They offer a Fitness Trainer qualification which is aligned to the following EHFA standard:

•  EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor

They offer an Aerobic Trainer qualification which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor

They also offer a Certified Personal Trainer qualification which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

IWI received EHFA accreditation in July 2009.


EFAA - The Netherlands

This private training organisation is based in Weert, The Netherlands.  They offer the EFAA NASM Personal Training qualification which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

EFAA received EHFA accreditation in June 2009.

Institute of Technology - Sligo, Ireland

This higher education institute is based in Sligo, Ireland.  They offer the Bachelor of Business in Recreation and Leisure which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor
• EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor

They received EHFA accreditation in April 2009.


National Training Centre (NTC) - Ireland

This private training organisation is based in Dublin, Ireland.  They offer the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training (NQPT) which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor
• EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor
• EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

NTC received EHFA accreditation in December 2008. 



Cork Institute of Technology - Ireland

This higher education institute is based in Cork, Ireland.  They offer the Bachelor of Business in Recreation and Leisure Management which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor
• EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor

  • EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

They received EHFA accreditation in December 2008.

Institute of Technology - Waterford, Ireland

This higher education institute is based in Waterford, Ireland.  They offer the Bachelor of Business in Sport & Recreation Management and the BA (Hons) in Exercise & Health Studies which are aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor

The BA (Hons) in Exercise & Health Studies is also aligned to:

• EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

They received EHFA accreditation in January 2008.
As of 5 January 2009, they are also approved for the EHFA Sales & Marketing for Personal Training (optional) unit. 


Institute of Technology - Tralee, Ireland

This higher education institute is based in Tralee, Ireland.  They offer the Higher Certificate in Health and Leisure (including Activity Leadership) which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor
• EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor

They also offer the Ordinary Degree in Health and Leisure Studies (including Activity Leadership) which is aligned to:

• EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

They received EHFA accreditation in November 2007.

European Institute of Fitness - Alicante, Spain  

This private training provider is based in Javea, Spain.  They offer the Diploma in Personal Training which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor
• EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor
• EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer
• Sales and Marketing for Personal Training (optional unit)

They received EHFA accreditation in September 2007.  The European Institute of Fitness offers their programme via direct delivery and distance learning.

PT School - Stockholm, Sweden

This private training provider is based in Stockholm, Sweden.  They offer the Trainers Academy Fitness Instructor qualification which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor

They also offer the PT School Personal Trainer Level 1 and 2 qualifications which are aligned to:

• EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer
• Sales and Marketing for Personal Training (optional unit)

They received EHFA accreditation in November 2007.  Trainers Academy and PT School offer their programmes via direct delivery and distance learning.



Personal Training Academy - Australia

This private training organisation is based in Moorabbin, Australia.  They offer the Certificate III in Fitness which is aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor

They also offer the Certificate IV in Fitness which is aligned to:

•  EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer

This organisation delivers their programme in Fitness First, Vught in the Netherlands and they received EHFA accreditation in September 2008.  PTA offers their programmes via direct delivery and distance learning.