When you complete NASM’s Certified Personal Trainer course, you’ll have your choice of 2 exam options to earn your credential:
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Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
This exam is open-book and 100% online. You’ll have 3 hours to answer 100 questions. The exam must be taken within 180 days of your enrollment date, and requires a score of 70% or better to pass.
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Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
This exam can be administered either in-person or online, and is proctored. You’ll have 2 hours to answer 120 questions. The test must be taken within 180 days of your enrollment date, and requires a scaled score of 70 or better to pass.
What’s the NCCA?
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is an organization that accredits professional certification programs, essentially acting as a quality standard to ensure that a certification program meets rigorous criteria for content, testing procedures, and ethical practices, signifying a reliable credential for individuals in a particular field; it is part of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE).
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
NASM’s Certified Personal Trainer program has 3 prerequisites:
- High school degree or GED
- Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
- Current Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification
If you aren’t yet CPR/AED certified, NASM offers a convenient 100% online CPR/AED Certification powered by ASTI that you can sign up for anytime during the course.
Step 2: Schedule Your Exam
Depending on which option you choose, there are different steps to scheduling your Certified Personal Trainer exam.
Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
This online-only exam does not have to be scheduled and can be taken anytime before your 180-day expiration date from within your Student Portal.
Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
This exam can be administered either in-person or online. Since it’s a proctored exam, you’ll need to schedule it in your Student Portal. Look for the “Proctored Exams” menu option. That will direct you to the PSI Candidate website, where you can schedule your test (must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance).
Step 3: On the Day of Your Exam
Here’s what you’ll need to keep in mind when showing up for your exam.
Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
Simply log in, verify your CPR/AED certification, and begin your exam whenever you’re ready.
Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
On the day of your exam, you’ll need to show proof of a valid, current, government-issued photo ID and current, valid CPR/AED certification.
Step 4: After Your Exam
Once You Pass the Exam:
Within one business day of passing the exam, a Digital Certificate and a Digital Badge will become available in the Customer Portal. To download, save, or print your Digital Certificate, log in, select "Credentials", "My Credentials", and click on "View Certificate". To access and share your Digital Badge through social media, email, and websites, learn how by clicking here.
If You Do Not Pass the Exam:
Don’t worry—there are retest options, which vary depending on the exam option you chose.
Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
For the non-proctored exam, you have 3 attempts to pass. If you do not pass after 3 attempts, a retest can be purchased by calling NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276.
Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
The proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam requires you to complete a Retest Wait Period before you can take the test again.
- If you fail to pass your exam on the first attempt, the Retest Wait Period is 1 week.
- If you fail to pass your exam on the second attempt, the Retest Wait Period is 30 days.
- If you fail to pass your exam on the third attempt or more, the Retest Wait Period is 1 year.
After the Retest Wait Period has passed, you can purchase a retest by calling NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276. A retest is also included with the Premium Self Study and All-Inclusive programs.
Need help purchasing a NASM personal training certification or specializations in Canada? Contact NPTA Support at 1-778-949-6782 for expert assistance!
Helpful Resources
- Candidate Handbook: A comprehensive overview of the NASM Certified Personal Trainer program and is required reading before taking the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam) exam option. The Candidate Handbook covers important topic such as eligibility requirements, the exam outline, expectations, and recertification.
- Study Guide: The CPT Exam Study Guide includes helpful key highlights, terms and concepts.
Reference
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Exam Info. Retrieved February 6, 2025 from: https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/exam-info
- Candidate Handbook. Retrieved February 6, 2025 from: https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/exam-info
- Study Guide. Retrieved February 6, 2025 from: https://www.nasm.org/docs/pdf/cpt7_study_guide.pdf?sfvrsn=1e28b0b_4
