(Everyone who participates in my AIS classes receives a certificate for their hours – Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s with NCBTMB and/or CEC’s with ACE and/or the syllabus to petition credit for another field, + the credit hours with me count toward The AIS National Certification). Not everyone who studies AIS will choose to achieve National Certification*, but in answer to the Q, “How does one become Nationally Certified in AIS” here you go:)

Professional Path for Active Isolated Stretching Practitioners (National Certification)

Step One- Prerequisite Licensure

To qualify for a national AIS Basic Certification, practitioners must have a nationally- recognized certification or licensure in one of the following fields, and be current with their continuation education credits for that licensure:

Massage Therapy

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)

Personal Training

American Council on Exercise (ACE)

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT)

Healthcare Professionals

Medical Doctors (DO, MD)

Chiropractors (DC)

Physical Therapists (PT)

Occupational Therapists (OT)

Step Two- Approved AIS Continuing Education

To qualify for a national AIS Basic Certification, practitioners must have taken a minimum of 125 hours of approved continuing education credits in Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening within a five* year time period commencing no earlier than January 1, 2012. Continuing education must be confirmed by a Certificate of Competency for each course taken.  (*five years is the new timeline)

Step Three- Demonstration of Hands On Application

To qualify for national AIS Basic Certification, practitioners must demonstrate the use of a minimum of 10 hours per week of AIS (400 hours per year) within their practice. Testimonials from clients and documentary evidence from supervisory staff and colleagues will be accepted.

Step Four- Ongoing Continuing Education

Practitioners who achieve AIS Basic Certification must complete 24 hours of continuing education in Active Isolated Stretching or an approved complementary discipline every two years.

Full Certification Criteria

Step One- Achievement of Basic Certification and Written Exam

To qualify for a national, NCCA-accredited, AIS Full Certication, practitioners must have receive the Basic Certification and pass a written NCCA-approved examination to show their proficiency in the following topics:

• physiological laws which guide AIS;

• anatomy;

• AIS Theory;

• AIS protocols;

• application of AIS protocols in various settings for various conditions; and

• contraindications for the use of AIS with rationale.

Step Two- Continuing Education

Practitioners who achieve AIS Basic of Full Certification must complete 24 hours of approved continuing education in Active Isolated Stretching or an approved continuing complementary discipline every two years.

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*There are only 6 teachers whose courses count towards Mattes’ official AIS National Certification.  (The rigorous path to becoming Nationally Certified in AIS is only surpassed by the path to become one of Aaron’s official teachers.  I am deeply honored to be teaching the West Coast.)  That said, we hope everyone who learns this method will teach it to their clients, friends, and family!  Friends don’t let friends do ineffective stretching…