What is the USWFA?

The United States Water Fitness Association is a non-profit, educational organization committed to excellence in education and promoting aquatics including water exercise.  One of our major specialties is aquatics programming and administration.  Also, we are the central information source for aquatics.

What certifications does the USWFA provide?

The USWFA offers the following National Certifications – Primary Water Fitness Instructor, Master Water Fitness Instructor, Aquatic Fitness Personal Trainer, Masters Aquatic Fitness Personal Trainers, Water Walking Instructor, Aquatic Director, and Water Fitness Coordinator.  All certifications offered by the USWFA are home-study courses except the Water Fitness Instructor’s course which requires attendance at a one day, (9:30 am to 4:00 pm), National Testing Day (NTD).

How do I register for a USWFA course/certification?

Contact the USWFA by calling 561-732-9908 or email info@uswfa.org  for specific course information and registration.  Registration forms may be mailed, faxed, by *telephone or online through PayPal.  *Telephone registration requires credit card payment.

How do I pay for a course/certification?

The USWFA accepts all major credit cards, checks, and money orders only, and can  be mailed or faxed to the USWFA National Headquarters. If paying by credit card, you can register by calling 561-732-9908 or PayPal online.

What is the difference between the Primary Water Fitness Instructor and a Master Water Fitness Instructor?

Primary certification applicants must be 16 years of age and older (basic level).

Master certification also includes Certification for Coordinators of Water Fitness Programs and requires:

A)  applicants must be 21 years of age and older

B)   a minimum of three (3) years experience teaching water exercise and

C)   a minimum of one hundred-fifty (150) hours of actual teaching experience in water exercise (attach a list of hours, place and years of employment)

What are the costs of USWFA certifications?

The USWFA’s most popular certifications include the Primary and Master Water Fitness Instructor.

Primary Course - $247.00 (Members price $211.00)    Masters Course - $277.00 (Members price $235.00)

Please call the USWFA at 561-732-9908 or email info@USWFA.org  for additional certification prices.

What is a Member price?

Member prices are discounts for employees and members of facilities where courses are being
held or for USWFA facility and staff members. Employees or members of other USWFA Facilities
are eligible to receive this discount also.

Where are Testing Days held?

National Testing Days are held all year throughout the country.

Course schedules can be found here – (website link to schedule page)

New National Testing dates are added as soon as USWFA is notified..

What can I expect on the National Testing Day?

The National Testing day consists of  a written 2-part test based on the Water Fitness Manual provided by
USWFA as well as a water test.  Networking between Instructor Trainer (IT) and course participants
happens throughout the day. NTD is a 6-hour day; starting at approximately 9:30 am to 4:00 pm with
an hour for lunch. Times are subject to change depending on facility and location.

What can I expect see on the written test?

The written test is in 2-parts.  All questions in the written test come directly
from the Water Fitness Instructors Manual. 

What can I expect from the water test?

The Primary Certification water test is eight (8) minutes in duration.

The Master Certification water test is fifteen (15) minutes in duration.

All water tests consist of each participant performing the eight (8) or fifteen (15) minute water exercise
workout developed by themselves.  Water fitness equipment may not be used.  All participants must
participate in each others workout.  Our course evaluations indicate that this part of the NTD is very
valuable and gives the participant many great ideas that can be very helpful in teaching water
exercise classes.

What if I do not pass the written test?

Written tests are evaluated immediately by the Instructor Trainer (IT).  Results are available the same day.

Primary Certification written tests must receive a minimum passing score of eighty (80) percent. 

Masters Certification written tests must receive a minimum passing score of ninety (90) percent. 

If you do not meet the minimum score, after the USWFA National Headquarters is notified, a written
Open Book Post Course Test will be mailed by USWFA.  This Post-Course test is much more lengthy
and in-depth than the original pre-course materials and written test.  There is no fee for retesting.

What if I do not pass the water test?

Water re-tests must be taken no sooner than one (1) month following your original National Testing Day (NTD).

Arrangements to retake the water test must be made with USWFA National Headquarters.

There is no fee for retesting.

What if I can't make it to a National Testing Day once I've registered?

A fee of $50 will be charged to switch dates to another NTD.

The USWFA must be notified immediately of any testing day changes or conflicts.

What if I decide I don't want to take the course after I've paid?

There are no refunds.

What if a National Testing Day is postponed?

If a National Testing Day (NTD) is postponed due to insufficient registrations, you may reschedule for another NTD at no fee.  There is no refund for materials.

How can I become an Instructor Trainer for USWFA?

Call the USWFA office at 561-732-9908 and request an Instructor Trainer Application.  Complete the application and send it with your resume to the USWFA National Headquarters.