The Best Kickboxing Certifications of 2024

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

If you’re an avid attendee of kickboxing classes, or maybe a certified personal trainer with an interest in kickboxing, you may have considered becoming an instructor. Becoming a certified kickboxing instructor will help you build your credibility and clientele, as it shows potential employers that you’re trained in proper technique.

Luckily, you don’t have to go far for a certification program—you probably won’t even need to leave your home. You can obtain a kickboxing instructor certification online that teaches you fundamentals of the fitness program, including how to develop warm-ups, creative ways to structure a class and different combinations of kickboxing moves to incorporate in class.

We’ve sourced the best kickboxing certification programs of 2024 and are sharing everything there is to know about the pricing, course length, study topics and exam.

Our Picks for the Best Kickboxing Certification in 2024:

• Best Overall Kickboxing Certification: International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Kickboxing Instructor Course
• Best Affordable Kickboxing Certification: American Council on Exercise (ACE) Kickboxing Instructor Training

Best Overall Kickboxing Certification: International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Kickboxing Instructor

Key features and specs:

• Price: $339.12 (12-month, interest-free payment plan available)
• Time Commitment: 4 to 8 weeks
• Prerequisites: High school diploma
• Age Requirement: 18 years or older
• Difficulty: Moderate

The ISSA Kickboxing Instructor course is a self-paced online course that takes four to eight weeks to complete. This kickboxing certification program is moderately difficult, meaning you’ll want at least some kickboxing training under your belt as baseline knowledge (however, you don’t need to be an expert).

“I could see someone easily knocking this out in four weeks,” says Kayla Godfrey, who recently enrolled in the ISSA Kickboxing Instructor course. “The course itself isn't lengthy, but if you’re starting from square one with kickboxing, it may take some time to train and practice the technique.”

Topics covered

If you love learning from the pros, ISSA is a great choice for you, as master trainers like martial arts expert Zak Lee will be teaching the material. Topics will include proper form, course design and group exercise safety. You’ll also learn how to create complex drills both with and without boxing equipment, in addition to general kickboxing terminology.

Study materials and exam info

Once you complete a chapter, you’ll take a chapter quiz to gauge your progress. At the very end of your program, you’ll then take an untimed and open-book online final exam, which allows you to reference your notes and study materials (the exam has a pass rate of 90 percent). Throughout your studies, you’ll also have access to a dedicated success coach and an online course textbook, online videos and textbook downloads.

ISSA certification tests are untimed, multiple choice exams. And, the test is open-book. You’ll also have two chances to pass the exam. After that, each additional test attempt will cost $99.

Looking for a more generalized certification? Enroll in ISSA’s personal training certification.

Best Kickboxing Certification for Continuing Education: American Council on Exercise (ACE) Kickboxing Instructor Training

Key features and specs:

• Price: $169
• Time Commitment: 6 to 12 weeks
• Prerequisites: High school diploma, plus CPR and AED certification
• Age Requirement: 18 years or older
• Difficulty: Intermediate

ACE offers a number of affordable certifications and continuing education programs. Those who want to become a certified cardio kickboxing instructor can enroll in the cardio kickboxing instructor training, which consists of an online course taught by the physical fitness provider UrbanKick.

Like most kickboxing certification courses, you’ll want to have some kickboxing fitness training, as these programs don’t actually teach you how to kickbox, but rather how to structure and teach a class. Still, like ISSA, you don’t need to be an expert kickboxer.

Note that ACE’s kickboxing training is offered as a continuing education course (CEC), so you’ll receive a certificate of completion, but it is recommended to have ACE’s group fitness instructor certification as well if you’re looking to get a job in a gym. It’s also a good option if you have an ACE certification that requires CECs to keep up.

Topics covered

As a crash course in motivation and how to get kickboxing students hyped up and excited for your class, ACE’s kickboxing certification is an excellent fit for high-energy fitness professionals who are passionate about helping others lead healthy lives.

Topics covered in this online course include how to design kickboxing training programs with music and sequence, how to assess participants’ strengths and abilities, proper technique, the science of cardiorespiratory training and how to empower others.

Study materials and exam info

Your ACE cardio kickboxing instructor training will come with UrbanKick instructor workbooks, a downloadable music playlist, video lectures and quizzes.

Benefits of a Kickboxing Certification

Having a kickboxing certification on hand comes with a number of benefits. Often, employers, especially gyms, will require that group fitness instructors are certified to teach in the subjects they’re being hired for. While a kickboxing coach certification certainly lends you credibility with employers and clients, it provides all the tools you need to create fun, motivating and effective aerobic small group workouts (after all, the success of your classes will impact your income).

Kickboxing certifications also give you an opportunity to hone your technique. While they won’t necessarily teach you how to kickbox (you should have some working knowledge of the sport before entering an instructor certification program), they’ll provide best practices for form. Plus, compared to other fitness certification programs, kickboxing instructor certifications run on the quicker side and can be completed in just a few months, if not weeks, for a low fee.

What To Consider When Choosing the Best Kickboxing Certification for You

Kickboxing certification programs will all provide the same end results—a certification to teach kickboxing—but they can vary greatly in their program material and structure. Consider these three factors when choosing the best kickboxing certification for you.

Program length

The majority of kickboxing certification courses will run anywhere from one to three months. A self-paced study program can also provide you with extra flexibility to study on your own time.

Consider how much time you want to spend studying for an online exam as well. If you’re truly crunched for time, look for a certification course with an open-book or untimed final exam, which lets you reference your notes and won’t require as much memorization on your end.

Program cost

Luckily, kickboxing certifications tend to be low in cost. At the high end, you may pay around $400, but some courses can be completed for $200 or less. Consider your budget when choosing a program and any additional materials you might need. Don’t forget to factor in post-class expenses, like new workout clothes, gym shoes or boxing gloves to teach kickboxing classes in.

Be sure to keep an eye out for payment plan options, too, which can help you stagger payments over the course of six months to a year so you don’t have to pay for the full program upfront.

Program material

This is where kickboxing certification programs often differ the most. Typically, any course will teach the basics of being a successful instructor, such as how to design a kickboxing class or teach proper form. However, some may lean more into the business aspect of building a kickboxing teaching career, while others gravitate more toward the kinesiology and wellness spectrum.

You’ll want to choose a study program that aligns with your goals. Keep in mind that some kickboxing certification programs will also blend in elements of mixed martial arts (MMA), so if you want to focus exclusively on kickboxing, be sure to seek that out.

How We Chose The Best Kickboxing Certification

We considered numerous factors when choosing the best kickboxing certification including course information, difficulty and pass rate, value and customer reviews based on our personal training certification methodology.

Kickboxing Certification FAQs

Here’s everything else there is to know about kickboxing certifications.

How do I become a Muay Thai instructor?

A variety of kickboxing certifications and/or specialized Muay Thai certifications can give you the right credibility and knowledge to become a Muay Thai instructor. If you’re passionate about Thai boxing, be sure to seek out a certification that focuses partially or exclusively on this area.

Can you make a career out of kickboxing?

You can absolutely make a career out of kickboxing. Whether you choose to teach kickboxing part- or full-time, building your reputation and assembling dedicated clientele can help you launch a successful career. A kickboxing certification can also help expand your teaching opportunities, and therefore your earning potential.

How much do kickboxing instructors make?

The average salary for a kickboxing instructor in the U.S. is $49,346 per year, according to Glassdoor. However, this number can be higher or lower depending on how many classes you teach per week, if you work full- or part-time, the number of students that enroll and your place of employment.

How long does it take to become a kickboxing instructor?

Most kickboxing certification courses can be completed in four to 12 weeks, or anywhere from one to three months. Others are self-paced, so you can take as much time as you need to finish the program.

The Takeaway: Is a Kickboxing Certification Right for You?

Whether you’re passionate about self-defense, motivating others or teaching high-energy fitness classes, getting a kickboxing certification can help you turn your passion into a promising career. Plus, kickboxing certifications can be completed in a matter of months (if not weeks) and don’t come with very high price tags. If you’re considering a kickboxing certification, be sure to check our guide for our top picks.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.