Welcome to BISMA
Welcome to BISMA, we are a leading training provider for fitness qualifications in the UK. Our qualifications are recognised by national and international Awarding Organisations.
All our Awarding Body qualifications are Ofqual regulated, CIMSPA Accredited, Internationally Recognised and your certification will be recognised as an Official UK Regulated Qualification.
Our Fitness Qualifications including the Level 3 Personal Training, Level 2 Fitness Instructing, Level 4 Yoga Teacher, Level 4 Strength and Conditioning and Level 4 Nutrition courses are awarded by Focus Awards, and our First Aid Qualifications are awarded by Highfield.
Are our Qualifications Accredited?
Yes, our qualifications are officially accredited by government-approved regulators in many countries and regions, such as the UK Government Regulated by Ofqual. Our First Aid courses are also Approved by the UK Government under HSE.
Are our Qualifications Recognised?
Yes, our qualifications are recognised nationally and internationally by many registering bodies, including CIMSPA (UK), EREPs (Europe), and ICREPs (International).
We offer UK regulated courses (Ofqual), to ensure you will receive the best possible professional courses in such important areas, especially when they are related to Health, Fitness, Nutrition, and Medical training.”
We have many learners working in Europe using our qualifications, as UK regulated (Ofqual) certifications are very well accepted in Europe and other places internationally. However, we recommend all learners do their own research before purchasing any of our courses, this could include contacting local gyms at the Country/City that the learner wants to work and double check if our qualification is valid/accepted there.
UK qualifications tend to be recognised in many places in Europe and other places internationally. Some Countries ask overseas personal trainers to undertake an exam prior to allowing them to operate at there. In America, some UK graduates have been asked to do an ACSM exam, that tends to be affordable (a few hundred dollars) and allowed them to operate there as personal trainers.
Can I send individual questions or individual units for guidance, and when does official marking start?
Yes. You are welcome to send individual questions or even complete units for guidance, via email or via WhatsApp. Please note that official marking only begins once all units are fully completed and we have received the entire document with all pages completed (on one completed paperwork). Final submissions for assessment must be sent to admin@bisma.org
How Long Does It Take to Get my “Paperwork Assessment” or “Video Assessment” Marked?
For the Level 2 Fitness Instructor course and the Level 3 Personal Training course, it will normally take around 10 working days (equivalent to 14 days) to get any assessment submission marked.
For other courses, especially level 4 and 5 courses, the marking process will take around 3-4 weeks to be completed.
PS. When you re-submit any part of the assessment (paperwork or practical assessment) it will take the same time as above for the marking of re-assessments to be completed and a feedback to be issued to you. Please ensure the paperwork and/or video assessment sent to us, is as complete as possible and have enough details to achieve a pass mark, and so, we will be able to certify you, without the need to request you to re-submit any part of your paperwork or video assessment.
How Long Does It Take to Get my “E-Certificate” or “Completion Letter”?
After you have completed the entire course, passing on both “Practical Assessment” and “Paperwork Assessment”. We will email you within around 10 working days, the “Training Centre E-Certificate” for learners that have already completed the full payment for their course or “Completion Letter” for learners that still have payments left for their course, the completion letter allows learners to apply for some jobs and even start working, as some employers accept completion letters during their recruitment process.
PS. Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 “Awarding Body E-certificates” can take longer, around 1-2 months (we can issue a completion letter quickly as soon as all units are completed).
How Long Does It Take to Get my “Hard Copy Certificate”?
After you have received the “Awarding Body E-certificate”, we will send you the “Awarding Body Hard Copy Certificate” within around 30 working days.
Please note that you can use the “E-Certificate” to start working straight away, and so, you don’t need to keep waiting for the “Hard Copy Certificate” to start looking for jobs.
PS. Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications can take around 3-6 months to get the hard copy certificate after all units are completed and payments are also completed.
How are you going to be assessed for the level 2 fitness instructor course and level 3 personal training course?
There are 2 assessment parts that need to be completed:
– Paperwork (portfolio), this part of the course is basically a word document (containing questions and assignments) that can be completed on your own time, and when you are ready to send for marking, you can send the paperwork (portfolio) by email on admin@bisma.org
– Practical Assessment, this can be completed by attending a practical assessment or by sending us a video assessment by email on admin@bisma.org
How distance learning students go about studying for their course?
We have a learner portal that includes video lessons, e-books and other learner resources. We also have open-days and assessment-days available for distance learners to help them in completing their practical assessment and paperwork (portfolio).
What is the estimated length of time that the course takes?
Most Learners complete the course in about 6-8 weeks
Are the 10 optional CPD courses all conducted online with online assessments and certification?
Yes, the CPD courses can be completed online, and get the certification also, and we have optional open days for the CPD courses also.
Why I Should Not Apply for Jobs Before Receiving my Certificate?
Learners are expected to complete the entire course and receive the certificate, before applying for any job and any other other vacancies.
Applying for jobs without receiving your certificate will only cause you dissatisfaction, as well as, frustrate potential employers that will be unable to offer you a vacancy.
When I should NOT apply for jobs?
– Completed the lessons, practical assessment, submitted the paperwork and after around 10-15 working days received the feedback about the paperwork (with instructions for corrections that need to be made about your coursework) and haven’t been certified yet.
When I should start applying for jobs?
– Completed the lessons, practical assessment, submitted the paperwork, after around 10-15 working days received the feedback about the paperwork (passing on all elements of the course) AND Received the Certificate.
– Or in summary only apply for jobs when you have received the certificate.
Are all “Accredited” Fitness Courses and Nutrition Courses Accepted for Employment in the UK?
Can I Ask Anyone from BISMA to Provide me with a Job/Work References?
Please note that BISMA staff is unable to provide you with references for Jobs or Universities. Please ask your current or former employer (or former school teacher) for this.
What makes a Professional Competent in the UK?
Questions & Answers about Pass / Refer Results and Course Completion
1) Do your courses have a pass mark or percentage score?
No. Our courses do not use percentage scores, grades, or academic classifications.
All assessments are completed on a Pass / Refer basis only, in line with professional and regulatory qualification standards.
2) What does Pass / Refer mean?
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Pass means you have met the required assessment criteria and demonstrated sufficient knowledge, understanding, and/or practical competence for the unit.
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Refer means further work, clarification, or correction is required before the unit can be passed.
There are no partial passes or graded results.
3) What does 100% course completion mean?
A 100% completion requirement means that all mandatory units within the qualification must be completed and passed.
This includes:
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Portfolio work
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Practical assessments (where applicable)
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Evidence mapped to all required learning outcomes
Once all units are passed, the qualification can be claimed and issued.
4) Does 100% completion mean every answer must be perfect?
No. 100% completion does not mean that every answer must be perfect or identical to a model answer.
Assessors are allowed to apply professional judgement. Minor errors or acceptable variations may still result in a Pass, provided the overall learning outcomes and competence requirements are met for the qualification level.
5) Do you award Merit or Distinction or different percentage grades/scores?
No. Our qualifications do not carry grades such as:
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Pass with Merit
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Pass with Distinction
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Percentage‑based scores
This is standard for professional qualifications, which focus on competence, not academic ranking.
6) Will all learners receive the same qualification?
Yes. All learners who successfully complete and pass the required units receive the same qualification.
There is no numerical pass score, no grading, and no ranking of learners. Assessment is completed on a Pass / Refer basis only.
Once all mandatory units are passed, every learner is awarded the same qualification, which confirms that the required professional standard and competence have been met within the scope of the qualification.
7) Why don’t professional qualifications use grades?
Professional qualifications are designed to confirm that a learner is:
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Competent
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Safe to practise
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Working at the required occupational standard
Employers and regulators recognise the qualification itself, rather than a grade attached to it.
8) When is the qualification awarded?
Once all mandatory units have been passed:
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The learner is considered to have achieved 100% completion
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The qualification is claimed with the awarding body
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Certification is issued following standard regulatory verification processes
Assessment Day:
When does assessment guidance start, and how are assessment times allocated on the assessment day?
Assessment guidance normally begins at 12:00 noon. Assessors will then select learners for assessment based on their responses to assessor questions and the completion of a session plan that meets the assessment requirements.
Once a learner is deemed ready, a specific assessment time will be allocated alongside other learners who are also ready. Assessment times can only be confirmed on the assessment day itself. For this reason, usual times for the assessment is predicted for 12:00–7:00 pm should be considered an estimated completion window. Assessments may finish earlier depending on learner experience, the number of learners attending, and the outcome of assessor questions.
How to Follow BISMA on “Social Media”?
Feel free to follow us on “Social Media”, using these direct links:
Find us on Instagram: BISMAtraining
Find us on YouTube: BISMA
Find us on Facebook: BISMA
