Terms like license, diploma, certificate, and course certificate can be confusing, so here’s what you need to know about how your PT license is recognized in other countries.
What’s the difference between a license and a protected professional title?
Some professions—such as doctors or physiotherapists—are legally regulated and require a protected professional title. In Sweden, this means being licensed by the National Board of Health and Welfare, and it is illegal to claim such a title without formal education and government authorization.
In contrast, the personal training (PT) industry is not legally regulated in this way. Instead, it’s schools and industry organizations that issue credentials. Whether it’s called a license, diploma, or certificate, it simply serves as documentation that you’ve completed a course or education in the field.
How is competence regulated in the PT profession?
For most professions that are not legally protected, the required level of competence is determined by industry standards, which are shaped by:
Employers
Industry organizations
Clients and customer expectations
For example, if all major employers or clients demand a certain level of education, that becomes the de facto standard—even if it’s not required by law. This means that it’s essential to choose an education provider whose certification is well-recognized in your target job market.
To ensure this, we always recommend contacting a few employers in the country or region where you want to work to ask what credentials they expect. It’s also wise to compare different education providers and what their certifications include.
How is the PT profession regulated in Sweden?
There are two main industry organizations that set quality standards for PT education in Sweden:
Europe Active – which runs EREPS, an international register of personal trainers who have completed Europe Active-accredited education.
Active Sweden (former FRISK) – a Swedish organization that gives out the national PT-license, which requires higher standards. They also maintain an open register of accredited trainers.
Some employers in Sweden accept PT certifications approved by only Europe Active (including PT Online), but most of the larger chains require physical, in-person education verified by Active Sweden — like our PT PRO course.
What about nutrition coaching?
In Sweden, there is no national or industry-wide standard for nutrition coaching education. This means the quality and scope of these programs can vary significantly. If you’re considering such a course, be sure to request a detailed syllabus before enrolling, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Can I work as a PT abroad?
Many of our former students from The Academy have worked internationally. Based on conversations with gyms and fitness employers around the world, we are not aware of any country that currently requires a legal license (legitimation) for personal trainers. Instead, as in Sweden, each employer sets their own hiring standards.
In general, we’ve found that employers abroad look for:
Qualifications that meet Europe Active standards (being listed in the EREPS register is a major advantage)
A physically attended course (such as PT PRO) as a sign of hands-on competence
To prove your qualification internationally, it helps to share a copy of your PT license, along with a link to your course provider’s website and a brief summary of your course content (such as hours of instruction, practical training, and total study hours).
So, is my PT license valid in Sweden, Europe, or globally?
Your PT license is not a legal authorization but rather a document that proves you’ve completed a recognized education. Just like a trained musician can perform in any country, a certified personal trainer can coach clients internationally.
Whether a specific employer accepts your license depends on their internal standards—but overall, we’ve never heard of a PT PRO graduate being told their certification wasn’t accepted.
Choosing a well-recognized, in-person education like PT PRO is a strong step toward ensuring international job opportunities.