NCSF-CPT vs NFPT-CPT

certification

certification

2030-03-31

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

Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent

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

no

no

None required; "Although not required, it is beneficial if you have a minimum level of practical experience working in the health and fitness field."

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)

no

no

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.

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

Computer-based multiple choice, proctored at Prometric testing centers or online via Prometric ProProctor remote testing

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

150

120

180 minutes

120 minutes

Scaled score of 70 or greater (scale 0-100)

750/1000 (scaled)

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.

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.

$349 exam fee

$50 application fee

yes

yes

2 years

1 years

10

2

NCSF CEU (1 CEU = 2 hours of educational learning; 1 contact hour = 0.5 NCSF CEUs)

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

$85 standard

$85 standard

yes

no

yes

no

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.

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

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)

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