Personal Trainer Certification FAQs

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) is a general title used by an individual who has demonstrated the necessary skills as assessed by a national certifying organization like NFPT. The certifying organization name is an important part of the CPT title, so trainers certified by NFPT use the acronym “NFPT-CPT” behind their name and in marketing materials for recognition of their achievement.

NFPT has been educating and certifying fitness professionals since 1988.

NFPT’s certification is recognized nationally and internationally. Most clubs require that trainers are Certified Personal Trainers (CPT) regardless of the certifying organization. Each health club and wellness facility establishes its own approved provider lists for personal trainer certification. NFPT has been certifying trainers for nearly 35 years and is widely recognized as a prominent certification provider.

Earning your personal training certification through an accredited organization means that you have met industry-accepted competencies and standards established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the public. NCCA is the gold standard for accreditation. Most gyms and insurance companies require trainers to be certified by an organization that has had its CPT program accredited by NCCA or another third-party regulatory organization.

The main accrediting organization for the personal fitness training industry is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which operates under the auspices of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). NFPT is accredited by the NCCA and adheres to its certification standards and test development practices.

As long as you’re 18 or older, have earned a high school degree or the equivalent and comply with the NFPT Codes of Conduct, you’re eligible and welcome to purchase a certification package to study to become a certified personal trainer.

The entire NFPT Codes of Conduct can be found here. To become NFPT certified, you must agree to comply with these standards, so it doesn’t hurt to brush up on them before and after certification.

No, although we highly recommend it for the safety of your clients and coworkers. Many workplaces require CPR certification for employment and liability insurance. If you are interested in getting your CPR certification, contact your local American Red Cross or American Heart Association chapter for information. You also can earn NFPT continuing education credits for your CPR certification.

NFPT offers many affordable certification packages for you to choose from.

We offer several payment options for any certification package, like breaking up the amount into multiple smaller payments or a convenient credit option. When checking out, explore the different payment options. Be sure to read the offers carefully as they may change.

NFPT offers discounted application fees to health club staff members, military and first responders.

Take a look at our certification options and choose a package that’s right for you.

Find NFPT’s refund policy here.

No. Attendance at NFPT workshops is not required to take the certification exam, but many people appreciate learning NFPT education material in person. Whatever method helps you learn the educational material best is the right way for you. You can find a workshop location near you or purchase instructional recordings if you’d prefer to learn from NFPT’s virtual workshop series.

NFPT partners with Global Fitness Educators to bring hands-on instruction to you at workshops around the United States. Global Fitness Educators is an independent workshop vendor preparing future NFPT certificants for career success. Learn more about what to expect at your workshop, NFPT policies and how you can prepare to get the most out of your workshop experience.

On average, candidates take 60–90 days to get ready for the certification test, but you have one full year to pass the exam. If you need an extension, let us know. If you don’t pass the first time, you can schedule one retake during your one-year eligibility period. Take your time, review the exam content outline carefully and then schedule your exam when you feel ready to go.

The certification exam has 120 multiple choice questions in five categories: Principles of Human Anatomy, Principles of Human Physiology, Fitness Components, Training Program Development, Implementation and Modification; and Professionalism and Communication Skills. The NFPT Certification Handbook is the best resource to study for the exam. You can find more detailed information about the exam here.

You can take your NFPT certification exam at one of 400+ test sites worldwide. After you’ve registered, you can schedule your exam at a time and location convenient to you.

There are 120 multiple choice questions, each with four answer choices. Each section of the test is weighted differently, so it’s important to answer all of the questions.

You have two hours to complete your exam.

Your knowledge and enthusiasm! You will not be allowed to use books, calculators, notes or other items to assist you during the exam. Test sites offer secure storage areas for you to store these items while you’re there.

Your NFPT certification package includes an exam voucher. You also can purchase an exam voucher separately without a certification package if you are confident you don’t need NFPT study materials.

If you take your exam on a computer at one of our test sites, you will know your score as soon as you finish. A detailed score report will be mailed to you later. If you take an exam on paper, you’ll receive your test scores by mail in 2-3 weeks.

Congratulations! You can celebrate that you are now part of the NFPT trainer family. You’ll receive a certificate to display and a membership card by mail in 2-3 weeks.

You can take the exam twice during your one-year eligibility period, so if you don’t get it on the first try, you’ve got another chance. The retake cost is $119. Review your education materials and the exam details and brush up using these study tips. If you take the exam while the testing experience is still fresh in your mind, you’re more likely to pass on your second try. Don’t give up! You’ve come so far already.

After your second attempt, you’ll need to wait 18 months from the date of your first exam to re-apply at a discount. With dedicated study, many trainers overcome their obstacles. You can do this! We’re here to help.

The NFPT Certification Exam was developed and is regularly updated under the approval and oversight of the NFPT Certification Council using an established test development process. This process follows nationally accepted best practices for certification programs under the regulatory authority of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. NFPT’s test development process is facilitated by the psychometric staff of Schroeder Measurement Technologies. See NFPT’s Certification Handbook, Exam Activities and Job Analysis Executive Summary for more on exam development.

You earn continuing education credits (CECs) for each completed activity through which you learn about exercise science and your fitness business. Every certification organization like ours requires CECs but, at NFPT, you can earn your 2.0 CECs each year for free.

After your first year being certified, you can recertify without earning any continuing education credits (CECs). Each year after that — from your second year to your 102nd year — you must earn 2.0 CECs to recertify. NFPT offers many ways to earn CECs, some for free.

Each year after your first, you’ll need to earn 2.0 CECs to remain certified. To begin the recertification process, start here.

You can earn credits for many exercise science and fitness business learning activities — a workshop, a seminar, a course from our CEC Provider Partners or writing blog articles. You can even get credit for maintaining your CPR-AED certification and carrying trainer liability insurance. Many trainers choose NFPT’s quality courses like Fitness Nutrition Coach and Master Fitness Trainer. But you also can earn all of your CECs for free through Self Tests on exercise science and Fitness Flop quizzes about trainer dos and don’ts.

With NFPT’s Self Tests and Fitness Flop quizzes, you can earn all of the continuing education credits (CECs) you need for free. You also can take continuing education courses and participate in other fitness or fitness business learning activities to earn credits.

NFPT doesn’t charge for reviewing or approving continuing education courses provided by third parties. Just tell us which course you’ve taken and from whom and we’ll let you know if it can be used to meet your CEC requirement.

You can submit continuing education courses by logging into your NFPT Account or by fax, 765-471-7369, or by email to [email protected]. If your provider is not pre-approved by NFPT, you can still submit your proof of participation for review and approval of continuing education credits.

Each NFPT course is approved by the American Council of Education for a specified number of continuing education credits (CECs). This number can be found by clicking on the “CEC Guarantee” link at the top of each course page.

NFPT guarantees that any nationally recognized personal training certification organization will award you the number of CECs approved by the American Council of Education or you’ll get your money back.

To receive a refund, you must:

• Demonstrate your attempt to request continuing education credits from your certifying organization
• Request your refund within 90 days of completing the course
• Allow NFPT 30 days to work with your certifying organization. If your certifying organization cannot honor the CECs, NFPT will issue a 100% refund.

Yes. You can apply up to 2.0 CECs to the following year’s requirement. CECs can only roll over once.

Keep all of your course documentation for at least four years. Continuing education costs may be tax deductible as a business expense. Please check with your tax advisor for details.

Your certification will expire each year on the expiration date listed on your certificate and membership card. To keep your certification active, you’ll need to recertify.

You’ll need to complete 2.0 continuing education credits (CECs) and submit $85 to keep your certification active each year after your first. You can renew two years at a time for $170 and 4.0 CECs, if you prefer. Ninety days prior to your certification expiration date, you’ll get a friendly reminder from us to complete your recertification.

You can recertify up to two years past your certification expiration date. You will be required to submit annual renewal fees and CECs for the time your certification was expired. If your certification has been expired for more than two years, you must retake the NFPT exam.

Log into your NFPT Account. Submit any remaining CECs and pay your fee to recertify. You also can submit the fee by calling 800-729-6378 and submit CECs by fax, 765-471-7369, or by email, [email protected].

Please contact us. We are happy to help. The NFPT team is available by phone, 800-729-6378, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time or by email, [email protected].

A digital copy of the NFPT Certification Handbook can be found in your NFPT Account.

You can sign up to take the NFPT certification exam online but, if you prefer, you can download PDF copies of the NFPT brochure and the exam application form instead. Many other NFPT materials, like the client assessments, can be found in your NFPT Account and you can order printed copies there, too. You can print the material available in your account for your own use anytime.

Each month, NFPT features one certified personal trainer on our blog, in social media profiles and on our home page. It’s our way of rewarding outstanding members of the NFPT trainer family. Share your story with other certified trainers, fitness industry professionals and trainer candidates. Get inspired and be inspiring at the same time. Fill out this form to be considered.

The NFPT Codes of Conduct are the professional and ethical standards that personal trainers certified through NFPT must follow to keep their certification. If you have concerns that the actions of an NFPT Certified Personal Trainer may violate the codes of conduct, let us know. We investigate all reports and maintain strict confidentiality. Learn more about NFPT’s complaint review process and guidelines for disciplinary action here.