Credentials / National Strength and Conditioning Association

Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator

TSAC-Fcertificationverifiedby 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
Tactical strength and conditioning professionals
Country
US
Official page
https://www.nsca.com/certification/tsac-f/
Recertification page
unknown
Categories
Strength & Conditioning, Tactical Strength & Conditioning

Accreditation

accreditedNCCAaccredited through 2030-07-31· 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 | TSAC-F | Tactical Strength and Conditioning-Facilitator | NCCA | Accredited through 7/31/2030

Eligibility & examination

Eligibility

Minimum age
18
Education
High school diploma (or equivalent)
Degree required
no
Experience
unknown
CPR/AED
yes
Other prerequisites
Current CPR/AED certification (must include a hands-on skills performance assessment); candidates without it may still register and test but must submit valid CPR/AED documentation within 1 year of the exam date. Must abide by NSCA Code of Ethics.

Age requirement must be met before registering; all other eligibility documentation must be submitted within one (1) year of the exam date or exam results become invalid.

Examination

Format
Multiple-choice examination (130 scored and 20 non-scored items) across domains including Exercise Science, Nutrition, Exercise Technique, Program Design, Assessment and Evaluation, Wellness Intervention, and Organization and Administration
Online exam
yes
Testing center
yes
Length
180 minutes
Questions
150
Passing score
Cut-score set by the Exam Development Committee using a modified Angoff methodology; specific score not stated
Attempts included
unknown
Retake policy
unknown

Initial certification costs

$435
exam fee nonmember
$300
exam fee member

$435: Non-member · $300: NSCA member

Renewal & CEU requirements

3 yr
renewal cycle
6
CEUs per cycle
$55
renewal member
$80
renewal nonmember
Recertification required
yes
CEU unit system
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)
Ethics requirement
no
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
Deadline rule
Fixed three-year reporting cycle with a common deadline of December 31 of the final cycle year (deadline December 31, 2026 for the 2024-2026 cycle) for all certificants; CEU totals prorated by original certification date.

Two options: (1) report required CEUs and pay the recertification fee, or (2) retake and pass the certification exam. Either way, CPR/AED certification must be maintained throughout the three-year cycle (online renewal allowed only if CPR/AED did not lapse; in-person course required after a lapse). Required CEUs are prorated: 6.0 if certified before 2024, 4.0 if certified during 2024, 2.0 during 2025, 1.0 if certified Jan 1-Jun 30, 2026, and 0 if certified 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 Quizzes/Assessments) with per-category maximums (e.g., 5.5 A, 4.0 B, 5.5 C, 4.0 D for the 6.0 CEU tier). Holders of multiple NSCA credentials submit one combined CEU total but pay a fee per credential. Excess CEUs do not appear to roll over (FAQ topic). Optional 'Recertified with Distinction (*D)' requires meeting standard requirements plus 10.0 CEUs from NSCA activities. Random audits require documentation within 45 days; failure results in revocation. Reinstatement fee is $200 plus unpaid recertification fees; appeal fee $50.

CEU recognition

  • National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)-accredited certification programs (fitness, sport, or exercise nutrition) — accepts ceus from
    NSCA awards 2.0 CEUs when a TSAC-F (or other NSCA certificant) passes a certification exam from a currently NCCA-accredited fitness, sport, or exercise program; credit given only at time of original certification, not for recertifying that credential.
  • Other organizations/businesses offering NSCA pre-approved home study courses (including Human Kinetics) — approved ceu provider
    Course must appear on NSCA's pre-approved list at NSCA.com; CEU value per course listing. NSCA/Human Kinetics home studies must be self-reported.
  • First Aid certification providers (e.g., Red Cross, American Heart Association, National CPR Foundation) — accepts ceus from
    0.5 CEU (Category C) for becoming certified or recertified in First Aid, reportable once per cycle; BLS requires documentation that First Aid was included. CPR/AED alone is a requirement, not CEU-eligible per policy table.
  • Non-pre-approved home studies, podcasts, journals, books and other outside educational activities — accepts ceus from
    Counted under Category C 'Personal Development' at 0.5 CEU per year; content must relate to the NSCA credential's scope of practice/DCO.

Pathway

What this credential requires

All of:
  • AgeAt least 18 years old
  • EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent
  • CPR/AEDCurrent CPR/AED certification

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)

Look up a credential before you pay for it.

Browsing the register is free. Plans add tracking, alerts and team tools.

Search the registerSee pricing →