Compare
NCCPT-CPT vs W.I.T.S. CPT
NCCPT Certified Personal Trainer from National Council for Certified Personal Trainers and Certified Personal Trainer Level I from World Instructor Training Schools, side by side: accreditation, eligibility, exam, cost and renewal, each fact from its cited source.
Key differences
- The exam fee differs: $79 for NCCPT-CPT versus $450 for CPT.
- NCCPT-CPT requires 2 continuing-education units per cycle versus 10 for CPT — note the providers use different CEU unit systems, so these figures are not directly comparable.
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
2031-05-31
2027-09-30
Target professional
Personal trainers
Entry-level personal trainers
Minimum age
18
18
Education requirement
unknown
Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED)
Degree required
no
unknown
Experience requirement
unknown
unknown
CPR/AED to enroll
yes
yes
Other prerequisites
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.
unknown
Exam format
Proctored multiple-choice exam administered by Prometric; not open book/open note; offered at a Prometric testing center or via remote online proctoring
Two-part: 100 multiple-choice written exam plus a performance-based (practical) exam
Question count
140
unknown
Time limit
120 minutes
120 minutes
Passing score
Scaled score; candidate whose scaled score equals or exceeds the passing standard passes (125 of 140 items scored; 15 unscored pre-test items)
unknown
Retake policy
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.
May retake a failed exam (written or practical) a maximum of two times in a 12-month period.
Exam / application fees
$79 exam fee
$450 exam fee
Renewal required
yes
yes
Renewal cycle
2 years
2 years
CEUs per cycle
2
10
CEU unit system
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)
CEC
Renewal fees
$75 standard
unknown
Ethics requirement
no
unknown
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
unknown
Renewal deadline rule
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.
unknown
Reinstatement
unknown
unknown
Credential status
active
active
Last verified
2026-09-03
2026-09-12
CEU recognition
NCCPT (own courses) (accepts ceus from) · International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) (accepts ceus from) · Third-party / non-NCCPT, non-ISSA CEU providers (petition accepted)
unknown
Categories
Personal Training
Personal Training, Exercise Physiology, Movement Assessment
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Full records: NCCPT Certified Personal Trainer · Certified Personal Trainer Level I
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