A new Arizona law affects how out-of-state online education providers operate—and gym owners offering fitness certifications or wellness courses should pay attention.
Most Arizona gym and fitness studio owners don't realize that a provision buried in SB1210, signed into law on June 19, 2026, could directly affect how they—or their business partners—offer online fitness certifications, wellness coaching programs, or other educational services to Arizona residents.
Here's what changed: Any private postsecondary education institution based outside Arizona that enrolls Arizona residents in fully online programs must now obtain an out-of-state registration from the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and pay an annual renewal fee set by the board. This applies unless the institution is already a participant in SARA (the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements program).
If your gym or studio partners with an out-of-state online education provider—for example, a certification program, personal training academy, or nutrition coaching platform—that provider now has a compliance obligation in Arizona. The requirement applies specifically to "fully online" programs and only to institutions that are not SARA members.
SARA is a reciprocal agreement that allows participating institutions to operate across state lines without individual state registration. Many established online education providers already participate. If your partner is a SARA member, they're exempt from this new Arizona registration requirement.
Starting immediately after the law took effect on June 22, 2026, any non-SARA, out-of-state online postsecondary education provider enrolling Arizona residents must register annually and pay a board-determined fee each year. Failure to register is classified as a violation of Arizona's operating prohibition under § 32-3021(B).
For gym owners, this matters in two ways:
First, if you offer online education yourself: If your studio offers its own online fitness certifications or wellness courses to Arizona residents and you're based out of state, you'll need to comply. If you're in Arizona, this doesn't apply to you.
Second, if you partner with providers: Before enrolling clients in an out-of-state online program, it's worth confirming whether that provider is SARA-registered or has obtained Arizona registration. Unregistered providers operating in violation of this rule could face enforcement action, which might affect the legitimacy of certifications or programs your clients complete.
The provision is codified in Section 4 of SB1210, adding § 32-3024(F) to Arizona law. The annual renewal cycle means providers must renew their registration and pay the fee each year going forward.
The board-determined fee amount has not yet been publicly announced, so if you're affected, monitoring the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education's website for fee schedules is advisable.
If your business relies on online education partnerships or you're considering launching online fitness programs, understanding this requirement now can help you avoid compliance issues down the road. The Arizona Fitness Industry Association and similar trade groups have begun developing guidance for members; a free, business-specific resource is available through most local fitness trade organizations.
Source: SB1210, signed June 19, 2026; effective June 22, 2026. Section 4, adding § 32-3024(F).