Credentials / National Strength and Conditioning Association

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

CSCScertificationverifiedby National Strength and Conditioning Association· Compare
Verified: this record was checked against its official source and the accreditor’s directory. Last verified 2026-09-03. 11 sources on file.

At a glance

Credential type
certification
Status
active
Target professional
Strength and conditioning coaches
Country
US
Official page
https://www.nsca.com/certification/cscs/
Recertification page
unknown
Categories
Strength & Conditioning, Sports Performance

Accreditation

accreditedNCCAaccredited through 2029-03-31· confirmed in the accreditor’s directory 2026-09-03
Confirmed against NCCA Accredited Program Directory (full listing) on 2026-09-03: National Strength and Conditioning Association | CSCS | Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist | NCCA | Accredited through 3/31/2029

Eligibility & examination

Eligibility

Minimum age
unknown
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution (BS/BA), or a terminal degree in Physical Therapy or Chiropractic Medicine; candidates may also sit for the exam while currently enrolled as a college senior at an accredited institution. Official transcript required (US/Canada); international candidates submit copy of final transcript/diploma.
Degree required
yes — Bachelor's degree or higher
Degree field
No specific field currently required; effective January 1, 2030, US candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a CASCE-accredited program (not affecting non-US degrees until January 2036; current requirement in place through December 31, 2029)
Experience
unknown
CPR/AED
yes
Other prerequisites
CPR/AED certification must include a hands-on skills performance assessment; candidates without current CPR/AED may still register and test but must submit a valid copy within 1 year of the exam date. All eligibility documentation must be received within one (1) year of the exam date or results become invalid. Candidates must abide by the NSCA Code of Ethics.

Certification is not granted until all eligibility requirements are met, including passing both exam sections.

Examination

Format
Computer-based multiple-choice exam in two sections: Section 1 Scientific Foundations (1.5 hours; 80 scored + 15 non-scored questions) and Section 2 Practical/Applied (2.5 hours; 110 scored + 15 non-scored questions, 30-40 video- and/or image-based). First-time candidates must complete both sections.
Online exam
yes
Testing center
yes
Length
240 minutes
Questions
220
Passing score
Cut score set by Exam Development Committee using a modified Angoff methodology; numeric passing score not stated
Attempts included
unknown
Retake policy
Candidates who fail one of the two sections only retake the failed section, which must be retaken within one year of the initial exam date; retake fees apply ($340 member/$475 non-member for both sections; $250 member/$385 non-member for one section).

Initial certification costs

$340
exam retake fee
$250
exam retake fee
$385
exam retake fee
$475
exam retake fee
$340
exam fee member
$475
exam fee nonmember

$340: NSCA member rate · $250: NSCA member rate · $385: Non-member rate · $475: Non-member rate · $340: NSCA member rate · $475: Non-member rate

Renewal & CEU requirements

3 yr
renewal cycle
6
CEUs per cycle
$65
renewal member
$90
renewal nonmember
Recertification required
yes
CEU unit system
NSCA CEU (1 contact hour = 0.1 CEU; 10 contact hours = 1.0 CEU; college coursework: 0.5 CEU per semester credit hour, 0.4 per trimester, 0.3 per quarter)
Ethics requirement
no
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
Deadline rule
Fixed three-year cycle ending December 31 of the cycle's final year; current 2024-2026 cycle deadline is December 31, 2026. All requirements must be completed between January 1, 2024 (or the certification date, whichever is later) and December 31, 2026.

Two pathways: (1) report required CEUs + maintain CPR/AED + pay recertification fee, or (2) retake and pass the certification exam + maintain CPR/AED. CEUs are prorated by original certification date: 6.0 if certified before 2024, 4.0 if during 2024, 2.0 if during 2025, 1.0 if Jan 1-Jun 30 2026, 0 if Jul 1-Dec 31 2026. CEUs must come from at least two of four categories (A Attendance, B Share Your Expertise, C Educational Activities, D NSCA Quizzes/Assessments), each with category maximums (e.g., for 6.0 CEUs: A 5.5, B 4.0, C 5.5, D 4.0). Holders of multiple NSCA credentials submit one CEU total but pay the fee per credential. Recertify with Distinction (*D) requires 10.0 CEUs from NSCA activities plus standard requirements. Random audits require documentation within 45 days. Failure to recertify results in revocation and requires retaking the exam; reinstatement fee is $200 plus unpaid recertification fees; appeal fee $50.

CEU recognition

  • NSCA pre-approved third-party CE providers (e.g., Human Kinetics) — approved ceu provider
    Home study courses from other organizations count only if listed on NSCA's pre-approved list (CEU values per listing); non-pre-approved home studies may be reported only under Category C Personal Development (0.5 CEU per year).
  • National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) — accepts ceus from
    NSCA awards 2.0 CEUs (Category C) when a certificant passes a fitness, sport, or exercise certification exam from an NCCA-accredited program; awarded only at original certification, not for recertifying that credential.

Pathway

What this credential requires

All of:
  • CPR/AEDCurrent CPR/AED certification
One of:
  • EducationBachelor's degree or higher degree from an accredited institution
— or —
  • EducationCurrently enrolled as a college senior at an accredited institution

Leads to

Credentials that formally require this credential.

Open in Pathways →

Sources (11)

Latest verification activity: source check failed → could_not_verify (2026-10-03) · reverification → confirmed (2026-10-03) · source check failed → could_not_verify (2026-09-07) · initial verification → confirmed (2026-09-06) · reverification → confirmed (2026-09-06)

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