Certified Personal Trainer
Recertification/Renewal Process


Get StartedDown arrow icon

nasm trainers standing next to each other

Recertification/Renewal: An Opportunity to Expand Your Skills!

As an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, you are required to earn 2.0 NASM-approved CEUs every two-year period. This includes 0.1 CEUs from the mandatory CPR/AED certification. CEUs ensure you're current with best-practice guidelines, plus they provide an opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills. Choose from a variety of course topics, including but not limited to:

We also accept CEUs from NASM's Preferred Providers. You can find the current list of NASM approved providers here. Courses that are not preapproved with NASM require a petition.

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam) can reference the Recertification Portal User Guide for instructions on accessing the portal and the petition process.
  • NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam) can reference the petition application process and details here.

Discover NASM One

The Best Membership Program in Fitness:

  • Enjoy waived recertification, renewal, and retest fees
  • Fulfill Continuing Education requirements
  • Get unlimited access to 300+ CEU library
  • If your courses are incomplete and expired, take free retests and/or extensions towards CEU requirements
  • Enjoy 50% discount on all Certifications and Specializations
  • Complimentary CPR/AED course

Our new NASM One™ membership pushes the boundaries of what’s possible — just like you.

Enroll Now
female trainer showing a male client a notebook

How To Recertify your NASM Certified Personal Trainer
(NCCA Accredited Certification)

Step 1: Complete your required Continuing Education

See our recertification guidelines for the NCCA-Accredited Personal Trainer Certification (NCCA exam) here.

female trainer and client using the ropes

Step 2: Submit your online application

  • Log in to your NASM Customer Portal and select Credentials > Recertification in the top menu.
  • Select “click here” under NASM Certified Personal Trainer to launch the recertification portal.
  • Within the recertification portal, click on My CEUs under Continuing Ed. within the left navigation panel.
  • Enter your CEUs by choosing Add Provider/Petition CEUs or Add Other CEUs.
  • Include documentation of continuing education courses (e.g., copies of CEU certificates of completion). Include a copy of the front and back of your adult CPR and AED certification.
  • After your CEUs have been added, click on Renewal under Certifications within the left navigation panel.
  • Check the box next to your CPT expiration date and click on either the Renew or Certify for Life (to purchase) button.
female trainer showing a male client a notebook

Step 3: Pay your recertification fees (if applicable)

You will be directed to the NASM store to pay your recertification fee(s). A verification email will be sent once your application has been received.

You will be directed to the NASM checkout cart to pay your recertification/renewal fee(s). Please note: Random users will be chosen for audit. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address on file once your application has been processed.

Watch Video: Recertification Portal How-To

PDF Download: Recertification Portal User Guide

two males shaking hands

How To Renew your NASM Personal Trainer Certificate

Step 1: Complete your required Continuing Education

The renewal guidelines for the NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (non-proctored exam) can be found here.

female trainer and client using the ropes

Step 2: Complete and prepare your documentation

  • The NASM Renewal Application .
  • A copy of the documents that validate your earned CEUs. Note: You do not need to include documents for completed NASM and/or AFAA courses. 
  • A copy of the FRONT and BACK of your CPR/AED certificate. 

Important Note: The application and supporting CEU documentation must be submitted in one PDF file. We do not accept Google drives or external links.

female trainer showing a male client a notebook
two males shaking hands

Step 4: Submit your documentation

Please submit your documentation by email to [email protected]

Important Note: We will only process paid in full and complete applications (see payment information in Step 2). 

female trainer showing a male client a notebook

FAQs

Your NASM Certified Personal Trainer Credentials must be recertified/renewed every two years. You will be required to earn 2.0 NASM-approved CEUs every two-year period. This includes 0.1 CEUs from the mandatory CPR/AED certification.

CEU is an acronym for Continuing Education Unit. CEUs are intended to continue developing knowledge and skills and enhance professional skills beyond the levels required for entry-level practice.

If all recertification/renewal requirements have not been met by the expiration date, the NASM Certified Personal Trainer Credentials will expire. Recertification/Renewal applications will be accepted up to one year from the expiration date if all continuing education courses have been completed before or within 90 days of the expiration date. A late fee is charged for applications received up to 90 days post expiration. After 90 days, an additional fee is charged, and the recertification/renewal application must be received before one year after credential expiration.

You can find NASM's Continuing Education courses by clicking here. To locate NASM-approved CEUs, visit our Course Providers page by clicking here.

Continuing education courses not preapproved with NASM can be reviewed by petition only. A $25 non refundable administrative fee is required for each course/event petitioned.

NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam) can reference the Recertification Portal User Guide for instructions on accessing the portal and the petition process.

NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam) can reference the petition application process and details here.

There will be a random audit performed on all recertification/renewal applications submitted. If your application is chosen for audit, you will have 30 days to submit all supporting documentation to the NASM Recertification/Renewal Department.