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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
"1', 
P,PR 16 P2 :21 
___________ 
S,_~_';_~_~_T.,_2_t _5 __________ " -6~' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING PERSONAL TRAINING AND GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTION 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The fitness industry has been thriving in the Philippines over the years, Despite the 
increasing number of health clubs, fitness centers, and training studios, a law regulating 
the personal training and group fitness instruction has yet to be passed, Regulation of the 
industry serves a two-fold purpose, First, it protects those availing the services of fitness 
professionals by ensuring that their trainer or instructor possesses knowledge and 
competency sufficient to meet his/her clients' needs. Second, it opens up more 
opportunities for fitness professionals since it enhances the public's confidence in the 
industry by guaranteeing the clients quality service from effective practitioners. 
This Bill creates a Board of Fitness Professionals that will regulate personal 
training and group fitness instruction, and adopt a code of ethics and standards of practice 
for licensed fitness professionals. [ 
I This bill is based on Senate Bill 2164 proposed in the State of New Jersey during the 213'h 
Legislature by Senator Paul A. Sarlo. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
") 72 f:" 
S. No. ---'-'>:;.'---"--~V 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
''1) 
~PI< 16 P2 :21 
J \ 
, 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
REGULATING PERSONAL TRAINING AND GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTION 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fitness Professionals 
4 
Licensing Act." 
5 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby dcclared the policy of the State 
6 
to promote the fitness industry and to protect the interest of its consumers. Toward this 
7 
end, personal training and group fitness instruction shall be regulated by the State. 
8 
SECTION 3. Definitions. - In this Act, the term-
9 
(a) 
"Board" means the Board of Fitness Professionals; 
10 
(b) 
"Exercise facility" means a health club, fitness center, well ness center, 
11 
private personal training studio, yoga studio, martial arts studio, Pilates studio, or any 
12 
facility that sells or offcrs for sale group exercise instruction. An exercise facility shall 
13 
not include medical offices, chiropractor offices, physical therapy centers, or any 
14 
facility that operates as a non-profit entity; 


1 
(c) 
"Fitness profcssional" mcans a personal trainer or a group fitness 
2 
instructor who is licensed as a fitness professional pursuant to the provisions of this 
3 
Act. 
4 
(d) 
"Group fitness instructor" mcans an individual who instructs more than 
5 
one person at one time, with or without equipment, in exercises designed to improve 
6 
cardiovascular conditioning, muscular strength, nexibility and weight loss in classes 
7 
that include, but are not limited to, martial arts, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, boot camp, 
8 
spinning and any other group class that is taught at an exercise facility; and 
9 
(e) 
"Personal trainer" means a person who evaluates an individual's health 
10 
and physical fitncss; develops a personal exercise plan or program for an individual; 
11 
and demonstrates, with or without equipment, exercises designed to improve 
12 
cardiovascular condition muscular strength, i1cxibility and weight loss. 
13 
SECTION 4. Board of Fitness Professionals. _. (a) There shall be a Board of 
14 
Fitness Professionals consisting of five members, who shall be appointed by the 
15 
President of the Philippines. 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
(b) 
(c) 
The members of the Board shall: 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
be citizens of the Philippines; 
not be connected, directly or indirectly, in the wholesale business 
of the manufacture, rental, sale or distribution of exercise and 
fitness equipment; and 
not be aft1liated with any excrcise facility. 
At least two mcmbers shall have been actively engaged in practice as a 
23 
fitness professional for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment, 
24 
and except for the members first appointed, shall be licensed as fitness professionals 
2 


1 
pursuant to this Act. Those first appointed shall possess a bachelor's degree in physical 
2 
education, exercise science, exercise physiology or adult fitness. 
3 
At least one member shall be a licensed physician. 
4 
(c) 
Members of the Board shall be appointed for the term of four years. No 
5 
person shall serve as a member of the Board for more than two consecutive terms. 
6 
Of the members first appointed, one shaH serve for a term of one year; 
7 
one for a term of two years; one, who shall be a fitness professional, for a term of 
8 
three years; two, one of whom is a fitness professional, for a term of four years. 
9 
(d) 
Any Board member who misses three consecutive meetings in a row 
10 
shaH be considered to have vacated their position and may be replaced by the 
11 
President. 
12 
(e) 
Vacancies for any cause shall be filled by the President for the unexpired 
13 
term. 
14 
SECTION 5. Officers o/the Board. - The Board shall elect a chairperson, vice 
15 
chairperson and secretary during the first official Board meeting beginning each 
16 
calendar year. The vice chairperson shall assume the functions and duties of the 
17 
chairperson in the event the chairperson is unable to perform those functions and 
18 
duties. 
19 
SECTION 6. Meetings. - The Board shall hold meetings at least six times a 
20 
year, and at such times as it deems necessary. All meetings shall be open to the public, 
21 
except that the Board may hold executive sessions to prepare, approve, grade, or 
22 
administer examinations; and to conduct investigations and other license conditions. A 
23 
majority of the Board shaH constitute a quorum, and the concurrence of a majority of 
24 
the members present shall be necessary to make any action of the Board valid. 
3 


1 
SECTION 7. Powers. - The Board shall have the powers necessary to carry out 
2 
and perform the purposes and provisions of this Act, in addition to other powers and 
3 
duties granted in this Act, and may: 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
modify it; 
(0 
Adopt rules and regulations nccessary to implement this Act; 
Issue licenses and renew liccnses of duly qualified applicants; 
Dcny a license to unqualified applicants; 
Establish fees for issuance of licenses, examinations, and inspections; 
Adopt and use a common seal for the authentication of its records and 
Investigate alleged violations of this Act and consumer complaints 
11 
involving the practice of exercise instruction; 
12 
(g) 
Conduct random and targeted health and safety inspections of exercise 
13 
facilities; 
14 
(h) 
Issue 
subpoenas, 
orders, 
stipulated 
agreements, 
and 
any 
other 
15 
administrative remedies necessary to enforce this Act; 
16 
(i) 
Conduct all disciplinary proceedings, impose sanctions, and assess fines 
17 
for violations of this Act or any rules adopted under it; 
18 
(j) 
Prepare and administer, or approve, the preparation and administration of 
19 
licensing examinations; 
20 
(k) 
Adopt and publish a code of ethics and standards of practice for licensed 
21 
tltness professionals; 
22 
(I) 
Establish minimum safety standards for l1tncss professionals and exercise 
23 
facilities; 
24 
(m) 
Establish standards for the continuing education of fitness professionals; 
25 
(n) 
Establish by rule the procedures for reexamination; and 
4 


1 
(0) 
Administer exams for licensure for fitness professionals. 
2 
SECTION 8. Examination. -
The Board shall administer the national 
3 
examination that consists of a written and a practical component. Announcement of 
4 
examinations must be made 30 days prior to date of examination through letters, print, 
5 
and the electronic media. Examination shall be administered twice a year. The passing 
6 
score in the examination shall be as recommended by the national exam ination, and 
7 
approved by the Board. 
8 
SECTION 9. Records. - The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings 
9 
relating to its public and executive meetings, meetings of committees, and records 
10 
relating to the issuance, refusal, renewal, suspension and revocation of licenses and 
11 
any other applicable documents. The Board shall keep a registration of record of such 
12 
licenses containing the name, address, license number, and date issued. This record 
13 
shall also contain any facts as the applicants may have stated in their application for 
14 
examination for licensure. 
15 
SECTION 10. Practice Outside of Facility. - This Act does not prohibit a 
16 
licensed fitness professional to practice outside of a licensed exercise facility. 
17 
SECTION Il. Applicationfor Examination and Registration. -- (a) Each person 
18 
who desires to be a fitness professional shall file with the Board a written 
19 
application under oath on a form approved by the Board. 
20 
Examinations shall be given at least two times a year or as necessary as 
21 
designated by the Board. The Board shall establish rules for reexamination to include 
22 
completion of a refresher program after two unsuccessful examinations. 
5 


1 
SECTION 12. Eligibility for Licensure. To be eligible for licensure as a fitness 
2 
professional, an applicant shall, in addition to other requirements as may be prescribed 
3 
by the Board: 
4 
(a) 
be of good moral character, and has not been convicted of a cflme 
5 
involving moral turpitude; and 
6 
(b) 
have been engaged as a personal trainer or a group fitncss instructor prior 
7 
to the effectivity of this Act; have successfully completcd an approved course of study 
8 
as prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Commission on Higher 
9 
Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the 
10 
Department of Labor and Employment; or possess a bachelor's degree in physical 
11 
education, exercise science, exercise physiology, or adult fitness 
12 
13 
SECTION 13. Expiration and Renewal of Licenses. - The board shall by rule or 
14 
regulation establish, prescribe or change the fees for licenses, renewals of licenses or 
15 
other services provided by the board pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Licenses 
16 
shall be issued for a period of two years and be biennially renewable, except that the 
17 
Board may, in order to stagger the expiration dates thereof, provide that those licenses 
18 
first issued or renewed after the effective date of this Act shall expire or become void 
19 
on a date fixed by the board, not sooner than six months nor later than 29 months after 
20 
the date of issue. 
21 
Fees shall be established, prescribed or changed by the Board to the extent 
22 
necessary to defray all proper expenses incurred by the Board, and any staff employed 
23 
to administer this Act, except that fees shall not be fixed at a level that will raise 
24 
amounts in excess of the amount estimated to be so required. 
25 
The Board may require each lltness professional, as a condition for biennial 
6 


1 
license renewal to complete continuing education requirements imposed by the Board. 
2 
SECTION 14. Licensing of Exercise Facilities. - (a) Every business engaged in 
3 
providing the services of fitness professionals shall register biennially with the Board 
4 
as a condition of doing business. 
5 
b. 
A written application for registration shall be made to the Board on the 
6 
form prescribed by the Board and shall contain the following information: 
7 
(l) The name and residence or principal place of business of the 
8 
owner or operator of the busincss engaged in providing the services of filness 
9 
professionals; 
10 
(2) The name and license number of any fitness professional 
11 
employed by the business or any fitness professional who uses the exercise facility to 
12 
provide personal training or group fitness instruction as an independent contractor; 
13 
(3) The municipality and location of the primary place of busincss of 
14 
the business engaged in providing the services of fitness professionals and the 
15 
locations of all other branches of the business; and 
16 
(4) Any other biographical information of the applicant as required by 
17 
the Board. 
18 
c. 
Each applicant for registration and each registrant pursuant to the 
19 
provisions of this Section shall pay to the Board a fee [or the issuance of a two-year 
20 
registration in the amount established by thc Board. 
21 
SECTION 15. Professional Specialty Designation. A professional specialty 
22 
designation may be added by the Board to the licensed fitness professional's 
23 
credentials issued by the Board upon demonstration to the Board that the applicant has 
24 
met the recognized minimum standards [or that specialty designation as established by 
7 


1 
the Board. A licensed professional counselor shall not claim or advertise a counseling 
2 
specialty and shall not incorporate the specialty designation into his professional title 
3 
unless the qualifications of that specialty have been met as determined by the Board. 
4 
5 
SECTION 16. Prohibition Against Employment of Unlicensed Personnel. - It is 
6 
unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or any other entity to hire, employ, or allow 
7 
to be employed, or permit to work, in or about an establishment, any person who 
8 
performs or practices exercise instruction regulated under this Act who is not duly 
9 
licensed by the Board. Any person(s) violating this Section shall be punished with a 
10 
fine of one hundred thousand pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO). 
11 
SECTION 17. Revocation and Suspension. - The board may suspend or revoke 
12 
the registration of an employer offering personal training or group fitness instruction 
13 
upon proof showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the employer: 
14 
(a) 
has made false or misleading statements of a material nature 111 the 
15 
application for registration; or 
16 
(b) 
failed to demonstrate that each employee of the business engaged 111 
17 
providing the services of fitness professionals and IS 111 possessIOn of a license to 
18 
practice as a fitness professional. 
19 
SECTION 18. Penalty. - Any person who provides personal training or group 
20 
fitness instruction, or maintains an exercise facility without a license as provided by 
21 
this Act shall be fined with one hundred thousand pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO). 
22 
Persons who have been engaged as a personal trainer or a group fitness 
23 
instructor prior to the effectivity of this Act may continue to do so for one year within 
24 
which period he/she shall have secured a license from the Board. Exercise facilities 
8 


1 
that have been in operation prior to the etTeetivity of this Act shall be given SlX 
2 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act to secure a license. 
3 
SECTION 19. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
4 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
5 
remain valid and sUbsisting. 
6 
SECTION 20. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
7 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to 
8 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
9 
accordingly. 
10 
SECTION 21. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its 
11 
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Itmdp 16March20 15 
9