NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Exam Information


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NASM'S CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER EXAM OPTIONS

Successful completion of the final exam is required to become a Certified Personal Trainer. You have 2 exam options:

  • Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
    This non-proctored and open-book exam has 100 questions and requires a passing grade of 70%. This exam is administered online only. You will have 3 hours to complete the exam, and you must take the exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.
  • Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
    The NCCA is a nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its standards. The NCCA exam is a nationally accredited exam. This closed-book exam has 120 questions. You must pass with a scaled score of 70 or better. This proctored exam can be administered either in-person or online, and you will have 2 hours to complete the test. You must take this exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.
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Step 1:
Study Your Online Course Material

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Step 2:
Choose an exam option:

  • NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (non-proctored exam)
  • NASM Personal Trainer Certification (NCCA Exam)
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Step 3:
Become a Certified Personal Trainer and
start your dream career!

PREPARING FOR THE EXAM

To be eligible to complete the Personal Trainer Certification program you must have a:

  • High school degree or GED
  • Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
  • Current Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification

If you currently do not have your CPR/AED certifications, you will need to take them prior to taking your personal trainer certification exam. NASM also offers a CPR/AED certification course to fulfill this requirement.

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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.
  • How to Become a Personal Trainer Page: The How to Become a Personal Trainer Page shows the necessary steps to become a personal trainer.
  • NASM EDGE: The NASM EDGE personal training app has an exam prep feature with practice questions flash cards to help you study for and understand the central concepts of personal training.
  • Exam Prep Q&A Forum: If you still have questions this is the best and fastest way to get answers. Ask us anything about preparing for your exam, our study materials or about succeeding as a personal trainer. Ask Now!

Additional Documents:

For more information on preparing for your exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.

 

SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM

Depending on which exam you choose, there are different steps to scheduling your Certified Personal Trainer exam.

Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
This exam is administered online only and does not have to be scheduled.

Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
This proctored exam can be administered either in-person or online. To schedule your exam:

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  1. 1. Log into your Customer Portal and select Learning > Exams
  2. 2. In the Available tab, select the exam you want to schedule and click Schedule
  3. 3. You will be redirected to the PSI Candidate website where you will be able to begin the scheduling process. Note: You will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance
  4. 4. After successfully booking your exam appointment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the appointment details

Note: If the country in which you are looking to schedule your exam is unavailable for registration online or over the phone through PSI, please contact NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276 to start your registration process. Please allow 4-6 weeks for scheduling. You will have 180 days from the date of enrollment to take either of the exam options. An extension for the exam can be purchased by contacting NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276.

For more information on scheduling, changing, or cancelling your NCCA Accredited Certification Exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.

 

DAY OF EXAM INFORMATION

CPR Demonstration

Details regarding each exam option are below:

Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
This non-proctored and open-book exam has 100 questions and requires a passing grade of 70%. This exam is administered online only. You will have 3 hours to complete the exam, and you must take the exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.

Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
The NCCA is a nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its standards. The NCCA exam is a nationally accredited exam. This closed-book exam has 120 questions. You must pass with a scaled score of 70 or better. This proctored exam can be administered either in-person or online, and you will have 2 hours to complete the test. You must take this exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.

At the time of your NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam) test, you will be required to show proof of a valid, current, government-issued Photo ID and current, valid Emergency Cardiopulmonary Resuscitated (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification.*

For more information regarding day of exam details for your NCCA Accredited Certification Exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.

NASM offers an online CPR/AED certification. However, you can meet the required CPR/AED certifications through the following organizations: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, St. John Ambulance, Emergency Care & Safety Institute or Emergency Medical Technician.

For more information on taking your exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.

 

AFTER THE EXAM

Once You Pass the Exam

After you pass the exam, you will be able to print a temporary certificate from your Account Page after three to five business days. An official certificate will be mailed (Domestic U.S. addresses only) to you within four to six weeks of passing the exam.

If You Do Not Pass the Exam

The retest requirements are different for each exam option:
Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
You have 3 attempts to pass this exam option. If you do not pass after 3 attempts, a retest can be purchased by calling NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276.

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Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
Candidates who do not pass this exam option are subject to a Retest Wait Period. After the applicable wait period has been satisfied, you may contact our Member Services team at 1-800-460-6276 to purchase a retest or activate a retest voucher. A retest voucher is included with the Premium Self Study and All-Inclusive programs.

Retest Waiting Periods for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam):

  • If you do not pass your exam on the first attempt, you will be allowed to retake the exam after a 1-week wait period.
  • If you do not pass the second attempt, you will be allowed to retake the exam after a 30-day wait period.
  • For each repeated failure after the 3rd attempt, you will be required to wait (1) year before attempting to take the exam again.

For more information on after taking your exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.