This list of NCCA accredited personal training certifications has been taken from http://www.credentialingexcellence.org
Fairly or not, ACSM, ACE, NASM, and NSCA are the certifications most commonly recognized in the industry.
Buyer beware: each organization defines 1 CEC/CEU (continuing education credit/unit) differently. Follow links below for more information.
Check out usreps.org to confirm an individual is currently certified by an NCCA accredited organization.
| Organization Name | Certification Cost | Re-Certification Cost | NCCA Accredited Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE) | $295 | $85.00 (+15 CEC’s) | Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (CPFT), Accredited through 3/31/2019 |
| ACTION Certification (ACTION)
(Newly Accredited Organization) |
Basic •$99 Prof. • $149 Plat. • $249 |
Basic • $65 (+2.0 CEC’s) Prof. • $65 (+2.0 CEC’s)Plat. • $0 (+2.0 CEC’s) |
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Accredited through 1/31/2019 |
| American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) | $279 (w/$99 annual membership)
$349 (w/o membership) |
3 year certification
$45 (+45 CEC’s) |
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT), Accredited through 12/31/2017(ACSM |
| American Council on Exercise (ACE) | $399 | $129 (+2.0 CEC’s) | Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT), Accredited through 10/31/2018 |
| International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA) | $349 | $25 (+12 CEU’s) | International Fitness Professionals Association Personal Fitness Training Certification (IFPA – PFT), Accredited through 11/30/2019 |
| National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) | $699 | $99 (+2.0 CEU’s)
Lifetime certification available for $299 |
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Accredited through 11/30/2017 |
| National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) | $199 | $75 (+2.0 CEU’s) | NCCPT Certified Personal Trainer (NCCPT CPT), Accredited through 5/31/2021 |
| National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) | $299.00 | $50 (+10 CEU’s) | Certified Personal Trainer (NCSF-CPT), Accredited through 3/31/2020 |
| National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) | $477 | 4 year certification
$149 (+4 CEU’s) |
Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT), Accredited through 1/31/2019 |
| National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) | $399 | $55.00 (+20 CEC’s) | Certified Personal Trainer (NETA-CPT), Accredited through 7/31/2022 |
| National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) | $199 | $85 (+2 free CEC’s) | Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (CPT), Accredited through 1/31/2022 |
| National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) | $300 (w/$120 annual membership)
$435 (w/o membership) |
3 year certification
CEU requirement unclear |
Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT), Accredited through 4/30/2018 |
| National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) | $340 (w/$120/yr membership)
$475 (w/o membership) |
3 year certificationCEU requirement unclear $20 (w/membership) $45 (w/o membership) |
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Accredited through 4/30/2018 |
| PTA Global (PTAG) | $350 | CEU and recertification requirements unclear | Personal Training Academy Global Certified Personal Trainer (PTA Global CPT), Accredited through 8/31/2019 |
| The Cooper Institute (CI) | $350 | 3 year certification
$55 (+30 Contact hrs) |
Personal Trainer Certification (CPT), Accredited through 11/30/2017 |
