AFAA-CGFI vs IFPA-CPFT

certification

certification

2030-12-31

2029-11-30

Group fitness instructors

aspiring and practicing personal trainers

High school diploma or equivalent (or within no more than 90 days of completing all requirements for a high school diploma/GED or recognized equivalency); candidates under 18 must present the NASM|AFAA Academic Partner High School Verification form or their GED/diploma to the proctor at testing

no

unknown

None – "You do not need prior experience before taking the CGFI course."

yes

yes

Current Adult CPR and AED certification from an approved provider (e.g., American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute) with a hands-on component; proof required prior to sitting for the exam. May enroll in the course before obtaining CPR/AED but must have it before the final exam. Valid government-issued photo ID required at the exam.

Closed-book, 3rd-party (PSI) proctored exam; administered in-person at a testing center or via live remote online proctoring

100-question multiple-choice, closed-book, proctored

120

120 minutes

Scaled score of 70 or better

Candidates who fail are subject to a retest wait period: 30 days after the first and/or second failed attempt; 1 year for each repeated failure after the 3rd attempt. A retest must be purchased (or a retest voucher activated) by calling Member Services.

$349 exam fee

yes

unknown

2 years

1.5

AFAA CEU (contact-hour based: 1 contact hour = 0.1 CEU; 1.5 CEUs = 15 contact hours)

CEU

$99 standard

no

unknown

yes

unknown

All requirements must be met by the certification expiration date (materials mailed/submitted prior to expiration). Recertification applications may be submitted up to one year late provided all continuing education was completed before or within 90 days of the expiration date; late fees apply ($30 up to 90 days post-expiration, $50 after the grace period and before one year post-expiration).

active

active

2026-09-03

2026-09-12

Colleges/universities (post-certification collegiate coursework) (accepts ceus from) · American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, National Safety Council, St. John Ambulance, EMT programs (accepts ceus from) · AFAA-Approved Continuing Education Providers (accepts ceus from) · Non-AFAA-approved continuing education providers/courses (petition accepted)

Personal Training

Personal Training, Professional Development