NFPT-CPT vs NSCA-CPT

certification

certification

2027-01-31

2029-03-31

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

Personal trainers

18

18

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

High school diploma (or equivalent)

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)

no

yes

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

Must abide by NSCA policies and procedures, including the Professional Code of Ethics; must receive a passing score on the NSCA-CPT exam.

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

3-hour computer-based multiple-choice exam; 140 scored and 15 non-scored items (155 total), with 25-35 questions presented as video and/or image questions, across domains: Client Consultation/Assessment, Program Planning, Program Execution, Safety/Emergency Procedures and Legal Issues

120

155

120 minutes

180 minutes

750/1000 (scaled)

Cut-score determined by the Exam Development Committee using a modified Angoff methodology (specific score not stated)

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.

$50 application fee

$300 exam fee member · $435 exam fee nonmember

yes

yes

1 years

3 years

2

6

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

NSCA CEU (1 contact hour = 0.1 CEU; 10 contact hours = 1.0 CEU; 1 semester credit hour = 0.5 CEU, 1 quarter credit hour = 0.3 CEU)

$85 standard

$65 member · $60 nonmember

no

no

no

yes

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.

Fixed three-year reporting period with a common deadline for all certificants: current 2024-2026 cycle ends December 31, 2026. CEUs must be earned between January 1, 2024 (or the certification date, whichever is later) and December 31, 2026.

active

active

2026-09-03

2026-09-03

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)

National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)-accredited certification programs (accepts ceus from) · Third-party organizations/businesses offering NSCA pre-approved home study courses (approved ceu provider) · Non-approved home study / outside educational activities (Personal Development) (accepts ceus from)

Personal Training, Professional Development

Personal Training