Compare
AFAA-CGFI vs NCSF-CPT
AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor from Athletics and Fitness Association of America and NCSF Certified Personal Trainer from National Council on Strength & Fitness, side by side: accreditation, eligibility, exam, cost and renewal, each fact from its cited source.
Key differences
- AFAA-CGFI requires current CPR/AED certification to enroll; NCSF-CPT does not.
- AFAA-CGFI requires 1.5 continuing-education units per cycle versus 10 for NCSF-CPT — note the providers use different CEU unit systems, so these figures are not directly comparable.
- The renewal fee differs: $99 for AFAA-CGFI versus $85 for NCSF-CPT.
- NCSF-CPT carries an ethics requirement at renewal; AFAA-CGFI does not.
Differences are stated only where both credentials have a known value on record — never inferred against an unknown. No winner is declared; which credential fits depends on your goals. Methodology
Credential type
certification
certification
Verification
verified
verified
Accreditation
accreditedNCCA(directory-confirmed)
accreditedNCCA(directory-confirmed)
Accredited through
2030-12-31
2030-03-31
Target professional
Group fitness instructors
Personal trainers
Minimum age
unknown
18
Education requirement
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
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
Degree required
no
no
Experience requirement
None – "You do not need prior experience before taking the CGFI course."
None required; "Although not required, it is beneficial if you have a minimum level of practical experience working in the health and fitness field."
CPR/AED to enroll
yes
no
Other prerequisites
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.
No NCSF educational program required to sit for the Board Examination; candidates may prepare with materials from other organizations, colleges or universities. Government-issued photo ID required at testing.
Exam format
Closed-book, 3rd-party (PSI) proctored exam; administered in-person at a testing center or via live remote online proctoring
Computer-based multiple choice, proctored at Prometric testing centers or online via Prometric ProProctor remote testing
Question count
120
150
Time limit
120 minutes
180 minutes
Passing score
Scaled score of 70 or better
Scaled score of 70 or greater (scale 0-100)
Retake policy
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.
May re-apply after failing; $99 retake fee; must wait 30 days between attempts; retake fee rate available for six months after first exam, after which first-time candidate fee applies; no limit on number of attempts.
Exam / application fees
unknown
$349 exam fee
Renewal required
yes
yes
Renewal cycle
2 years
2 years
CEUs per cycle
1.5
10
CEU unit system
AFAA CEU (contact-hour based: 1 contact hour = 0.1 CEU; 1.5 CEUs = 15 contact hours)
NCSF CEU (1 CEU = 2 hours of educational learning; 1 contact hour = 0.5 NCSF CEUs)
Renewal fees
$99 standard
$85 standard
Ethics requirement
no
yes
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
yes
Renewal deadline rule
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).
Two-year certification period begins the day you pass the NCSF exam and ends on the last day of the month in which the certification began, 2 years later. All 10 CEUs must be earned during the most recent two-year period of active status; applications postmarked after the expiration date are not accepted.
Reinstatement
unknown
unknown
Credential status
active
active
Last verified
2026-09-03
2026-09-03
CEU recognition
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)
Any reputable CPR certification organization (accepts ceus from) · External education providers (seminars, workshops, conferences, home study, college/university courses, employer-based training) (accepts ceus from) · NCSF (verification for unlisted subject categories) (petition accepted)
Categories
Personal Training
Personal Training
Compare something else
Related comparisons
ACE-CPT vs AFAA-CGFIACE-CPT vs NCSF-CPTACE-GFI vs AFAA-CGFIACE-GFI vs NCSF-CPTACSM-CPT vs AFAA-CGFIACSM-CPT vs NCSF-CPTACTION-CPT vs AFAA-CGFIACTION-CPT vs NCSF-CPTAFAA-CGFI vs IFPA-CPFTAFAA-CGFI vs IPTA CPTAFAA-CGFI vs NASM-CPTAFAA-CGFI vs NCCPT-CPTAFAA-CGFI vs NESTA PFTAFAA-CGFI vs NETA-CGEIAFAA-CGFI vs NETA-CPTAFAA-CGFI vs NFPT-CPT
Full records: AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor · NCSF Certified Personal Trainer
Look up a credential before you pay for it.
Browsing the register is free. Plans add tracking, alerts and team tools.