NCCPT-CPT vs NFPT-CPT

certification

certification

2031-05-31

2027-01-31

Personal trainers

Entry-level personal fitness trainers working with apparently healthy individuals in one-on-one or small group settings (in-person or online/virtual)

18

18

Applicant must have high school education or equivalent (high school diploma or GED); attested via application check box

no

no

None required — "It is not a requirement for entry into the certification program that you have a demonstrable level of experience" (personal fitness experience strongly encouraged)

yes

no

Valid, unexpired photo ID with signature (driver's license, state/government-issued ID, passport, school ID, or military ID — military ID for in-person testing only); valid CPR card or certificate of completion (digital CPR certificate not accepted); name on ID and CPR proof must exactly match the student account. No prerequisite courses; purchase of exam preparation materials not required.

Applicant must agree to adhere to the NFPT Codes of Conduct; must sign/attest to eligibility requirements as terms of service

Proctored multiple-choice exam administered by Prometric; not open book/open note; offered at a Prometric testing center or via remote online proctoring

Closed-book multiple-choice exam; taken at a partnered test center or via secure at-home/remote (computer-based) testing; paper & pencil and international testing sites also referenced; instant results

140

120

120 minutes

120 minutes

Scaled score; candidate whose scaled score equals or exceeds the passing standard passes (125 of 140 items scored; 15 unscored pre-test items)

750/1000 (scaled)

Retakes must occur within the 12-month testing window; waiting periods of 14 days after the first attempt, 90 days after the second, and one year after the third. A retake fee must be purchased to retest. Free six-month extension available if waiting period extends beyond the 12-month window; a further six-month extension can be purchased for a fee.

Retakes permitted; test candidates remain eligible to schedule a retake within the one (1) year eligibility time frame. Retake fees are stated to be lower than competitors but no amount is given.

$79 exam fee

$50 application fee

yes

yes

2 years

1 years

2

2

NCCPT CEU — "20 continuing education units, which equates to 2.0 CEUs at a rate of one hour per 0.1 CEU" (1 contact hour = 0.1 CEU)

NFPT CEC (Continuing Education Credit); 1 hour participation = 0.2 CECs, so 2.0 CECs = 10 contact hours

$75 standard

$85 standard

no

no

yes

no

Renew every 2 years by the certification expiration date; initial renewal applications accepted starting one year before expiration. CEUs must be earned within the credential's original two-year cycle (no carryover, no repeated courses). A 30-day grace period after expiration is allowed with a late fee; renewal dates remain fixed to the original certification date. After the 30-day grace period the credential expires and reinstatement requires retaking the certification exam.

Annual renewal by the certificate expiration date (standardized to the first day of a month: exams taken on the 1st-14th expire the 1st of that anniversary month; 15th-end of month roll forward to the 1st of the following month). Automated renewal notices begin 60 days before expiration. Credential becomes 'Inactive' immediately at expiration, with a two-year grace period to renew (submitting 2.0 CECs and the renewal fee per lapsed year); after two years the credential is 'Expired' and full reapplication/retesting is required. Late payment does not extend the anniversary date. Effective January 1, 2027, the grace period for new renewals drops to 30 days, and legacy two-year grace periods all end December 31, 2028.

active

active

2026-09-03

2026-09-03

NCCPT (own courses) (accepts ceus from) · International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) (accepts ceus from) · Third-party / non-NCCPT, non-ISSA CEU providers (petition accepted)

CPR/AED and First Aid/Emergency Response certification providers (accepts ceus from) · NFPT CEC Approved Provider program (approved outside providers/courses/events) (accepts ceus from) · Non-approved / outside learning activities (Other category) (petition accepted)

Personal Training

Personal Training, Professional Development