Personal Trainer Certification Program FAQs

To earn the industry leading NCSF Certified Personal Trainer credential candidates must take and pass the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer examination. The NCSF offers several educational course models and a variety of educational materials to choose from to assist candidates preparing for the exam. Preparation course formats include workshop, home study, and training school.

Exams are given everywhere all the time! The NCSF uses state of the art Prometric Testing centers to deliver the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer exam. There are nearly 400 locations across the US and Canada. Exams are administered by appointment for your convenience. Click here to find an exam testing center closest to you.

Workshops are conducted around the country and hosted by national fitness chains, hospital based wellness centers, and colleges and universities. Workshops are conducted on weekends from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. To find a workshop in your area visit the Workshop Calendar.

Training Schools are currently offered through several colleges and universities throughout the country. Typical classes meet twice per week in the evening for eight weeks. To register you must contact the respective institution in which you want to enroll.

Any individual associated with the promotion of health and fitness will benefit from attaining the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer credential. Current NCSF certified professionals include personal trainers, fitness directors, nutritionists, registered dieticians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, physical education instructors, nurses, chiropractors, massage therapists, and fitness enthusiasts. NCSF Certified Personal Trainer’s are well-respected members in the personal training industry and are employed in a variety of work settings including national fitness chains, local fitness facilities, privately owned gyms, personal training studios, hospital based wellness centers, and corporate fitness facilities. Many certified trainers have also gone on to start their own personal training businesses. Available jobs for qualified personal trainers are plentiful. Possessing the right skills and personality can get you a position in virtually any fitness training environment with the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer credential.

The NCSF has worked extensively with virtually every national fitness facility chain in the development, training and certification of current and future fitness personnel. NCSF courses have also been peer reviewed and approved as a continuing education provider by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification, American Physical Therapy Association as well as the Commission for Dietetic Registration - the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association. No other personal trainer organization has earned as much recognition as the NCSF.

Registration for a course is quick and easy. Once you have decided which program option you would like to participate in you can register online with any major credit card, download an application and mail it to the NCSF with a check or money order, or contact an NCSF representative directly at 800-772-NCSF(6273)

The NCSF courses cover a wide variety of content to ensure that each candidate is proficient in the many different disciplines of health promotion/fitness training and is well prepared for the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer exam. Regardless of the program option you choose, each course provides an in-depth education into all areas of health, fitness, and personal training.

Upon completion of any of the offered NCSF courses you will be well prepared to take the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer exam. Upon successful passing of the exam you will have earned the title of Certified Personal Trainer by the NCSF and your credential will display the title of NCSF Certified Personal Trainer. You will possess the skills and abilities to:

Candidates do not need to participate in an NCSF course to sit for the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer exam. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can register for an exam whenever they feel they are ready.

The National Council on Strength and Fitness certification exam is a 150 question multiple-choice formatted assessment tool. Each candidate will be tested in the following areas as they relate to fitness: Functional Anatomy; Exercise Physiology; Health and Physical Fitness, Screening and Evaluation; Nutrition; Weight Management; Exercise Prescription; Training Instruction; and Special Populations. A minimum passing score of 62% is required for the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer status to be granted.

Upon successful completion the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer examination you will be sent a complete certification package. Included in your package will be a certificate suitable for framing, which indicates that you have met the certification standards set forth by The National Council on Strength and Fitness and have earned the title of NCSF Certified Personal Trainer. You will also receive an accompanying wallet sized professional membership card, and CEU information. This package will be forwarded to you within 3-5 business days of passing the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer exam.

If at any time during the completion of the NCSF Home Study Course you decide you would like to participate in an NCSF Workshop contact the NCSF to enroll and you will be sent out the appropriate workshop materials. There is only a $99.00 fee to add the workshop course.

Certification is valid for 2 years from the date you successfully pass the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer certification exam. In order to maintain certification, you must accumulate ten continuing education units (CEU's).

Continued education is a critical aspect to maintaining an updated knowledge base in any profession, and personal training is no different. NCSF certified personal trainers are respected members in the fitness training profession due to the high competencies they possess and professional standards to which they are held. In order to maintain this standard, NCSF certified personal trainers are required to accumulate ten continuing education units (CEU's) over a two-year period and comply with the NCSF Code of Ethics for professional practice. Certified trainers can accumulate CEU's a variety of ways, but they are primarily earned through attendance in fitness related classes, workshops, training seminars, conventions, or completion of approved distance learning education programs. The CEU's do not have to be earned solely through the NCSF however; the event or program must be approved by the NCSF Board of Continuing Education for the event to qualify towards the 2-year, ten CEU requirement. A list of NCSF Approved Providers is located in the CEU booklet which you will receive with your certification documents.

The National Council on Strength and Fitness provides its members with unparalleled employment assistance after they become certified. Utilizing a wide array of national professional contacts, facility management from around the country lists their available career positions with in the NCSF Career Center. The NCSF Career Center provides you with access to hundreds of employment opportunities from the industries most respected facilities. Whether you are looking to relocate or are looking for a better job in the area, the NCSF will help you get the job that is right for you.

Each certification candidate will know whether or not they passed immediately after completing the exam. During the check out process a proctor at the examination center will provide you with a score report. Your score report is automatically forwarded to the NCSF. Should you meet the minimum passing score of 62% your official certification documents will be forwarded to you within 3-5 business days.