Massachusetts appears to be doing something very similar right now with the regulation of personal trainers but that bill specifically uses the term licensure:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/sena...df/st00870.pdf
Based on the wording of the bill, it seems that the requirements to be a personal trainer in Massachusetts will be more stringent:
1) graduate from an accredited program (with a related degree); AND
2) be certificated through an NCCA accredited organization; AND
3) pass a board certification exam regulated by the state (i.e. licensure exam).
California does not mention the third requirement (certification by the state licensing board) and only indicates that item 1
OR item 2 must be done (both are not necessary) to satisfy the requirements - the Massachusetts bill requires
ALL 3 requirements be met. This makes sense as licensure is the most restrictive method of regulation.