Leaders Seeking Excellent Aqua Fitness Training and Certification

AQX Courses emphasize practical teaching skills, with adequate theory to support best practices.

Where can I get AQX certified?

• AQX Certification is offered through AQX Subscribers:
• A Subscriber can be any organization with a pool that offers aqua fitness programming. If you teach for such an organization, you can encourage them to become an AQX Subscriber.
• Planning is underway to have select individuals become AQX Affiliates - offering training & certification through their business model.  Please fill out a contact form on this website, or send an email if you are interested in this model.

How long is the AQX leadership training course?

AQX Leadership Training Courses are offered in 2 lengths:

1. Complete (35 - 40 hours):  This is the course for novice leaders, lifeguards and others who are starting from scratch. This is also the best course for anyone wishing to be an AQX Mentor, Assessor, or Trainer. There is adequate time to learn AQX standards of leadership excellence, and practice skills.
2. Short Course (20 - 34 hours):  This course is used when learners have aqua fitness leadership experience; have lapsed aqua fitness certifications, wanting to adopt AQX skills and standards. Though not ideal, this course is sometimes used when facilities have limited budgets to bring in an AQX Trainer. For novice leaders, the Complete course is always best.

• AQX certification involves a theory exam to be taken following the leadership training course.
• An AQX trained Mentor should be assigned to you following your course, in preparation for the practical exam.  
• AQX practical assessment usually takes place within 3 months of the training course. It can be done at your facility, or via video.
• To maintain leadership quality, AQX requires annual retesting of practical skills by an AQX trained Assessor (in-house or on-line).

What does it cost to become AQX Certified?

Each Subscriber collects and retains AQX course registration fees according to costs for Trainers, manual and practical assessment, as well as any facility usage costs (for example: pool time and lifeguarding).  

• There are no annual membership fees with AQX Certification.
• There are no CEC fees. Other certifying bodies require that you take their ongoing training and / or charge fees to acknowledge ongoing education courses you take elsewhere. 
• Your certifying Subscriber will offer and acknowledge ongoing education to support your AQX Certification.
• AQX course fees are set by each facility holding training courses or workshops.  Course fees are typically half the cost of certifications through other organizations.

​How can I become an AQX Trainer?

• AQX Trainers are experienced aqua fitness leaders with excellent leadership skills, solid knowledge of AQX standards, and a strong desire to give back to the field.
• Visit the AQX Trainer's page on this website for more background.
• Typically, you will be an active, experienced, AQX certified aqua fitness leader, working with an AQX Subscriber.
• You will need to take the AQX Training for Trainers course.
• You will need to apprentice with an AQX Master Trainer.
• AQX Trainers are required to have an annual practical re-assessment with an AQX Master Trainer (in person or by video).

What if I am already certified through an organization like: WaterArt, CALA, AEA, YMCA...

• Leaders holding current aqua fitness certifications with recognized certification providers can be grandparented into AQX Certification.  
• Subscribers may require a teaching audition, in addition to proof of current certification.
• Most AQX Subscribers require that leaders holding other certifications maintain those credentials at their own cost, following the rules and paying the fees required by those certifying bodies.
• As a previously certified aqua instructor, you are often the best candidate to become an AQX Mentor, Assessor, or AQX Course Trainer - the MAT-Team.
• In order to become an AQX Mentor, Assessor, or Trainer, you need to become AQX Certified by participating fully in an AQX training course, and successfully completing the theory exam and practical assessment.
• Further required training includes the AQX Mentor & Assessor course, and the on-line AQX Training for Trainers.

Can leaders with AQX Certification be insured?

• AQX Certified Leaders seeking insurance with Sports & Fitness Canada Insurance will need to provide proof of current, valid CPR and First Aid certifications.
• This insurance is accepted anywhere in Canada, so your AQX certification will be valid not just at your facility, but anywhere that will accept a certified, insured instructor!