The National Strength and Conditioning Association provides certification for personal trainers, health and fitness professionals who work one-on-one with clients to help them meet their fitness goals. The NSCA certification program for personal trainers has been in existence since 1993. In 1996, it was the first program of its type to receive national accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. To become a certified personal trainer, you must be at least 18 and a high school graduate, and you must pass the NSCA-CPT exam, a thorough test of the skills required for being an effective personal trainer.
Step 1
Obtain CPR/AED certification from a course that includes hands-on training and an evaluation of skills performance. For example, NSCA accepts certifications from the American Heart Association, the Red Cross and the National Safety Council.
Step 2
Learn how to train clients who have chronic health issues, such as cardiovascular or orthopedic problems. NSCA does not require specific post-secondary courses, but expects you to have a good understanding of how to adapt training to meet the needs of clients with chronic conditions.
Step 3
Decide whether you want to take the NSCA-CPT exam online or in paper/pencil format.
Step 4
Register and pay for the exam. Registration forms are on the NSCA Certification website.
Step 5
Schedule the exam after you receive a confirmation notice. The NSCA Certification website lists exam locations. If you are taking the exam online, you must schedule it within 120 days of paying for it. If you are taking the exam in paper/pencil format, you must schedule it at least eight weeks prior to the exam.
Step 6
Prepare for the exam. See the NSCA Certification website for sample exam questions. The website also has study materials for sale. An exam candidate handbook, available for download from the NSCA, contains useful information about the logistics of taking the exam, such as the type of identification you need to bring with you and how long the exam lasts. There are two versions of the exam candidate handbook, one for taking the exam online and one for taking it in paper/pencil format.
Step 7
Take the exam on the scheduled date. Scheduled dates for the online exam are usually on a weekday, but sometimes on a Saturday. Scheduled dates for the paper/pencil format exam are usually on Saturday.
Step 8
Find out your exam score. If you take the exam online, you will receive a score report at the assessment center. If you take the exam in paper/pencil format, you will receive a score report three to five weeks after the exam.
Step 9
Receive your certificate. If you take the exam online, you will receive your certificate within 15 business days. If you take the exam in paper/pencil format, you will receive your certificate about two weeks after receiving your score report.
Tips and Warnings
- NSCA members receive a discount on exam fees and on exam study materials.
- You can take the NSCA-CPT exam before you have CPR/AED certification, but NSCA will not release your scores until you provide documentation of CPR/AED certification.
References
- NSCA Certification: About the NSCA-CPT Credential
- NSCA Certification: Register for the NSCA-CPT Exam
- NSCA Certification: Computer-Based Testing FAQs
- NSCA Certification: NSCA-CPT Study Materials
- NSCA Certification: Sample NSCA-CPT Exam Questions
- NSCA: Certification
- NSCA: NSCA-CPT Computer-Based Exam Candidate Handbook (PDF)
- NSCA-CPT: Paper/Pencil Exam Candidate Handbook (PDF)
Member Comments