A Personal Trainer Reviews the NCSF Certification

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Choosing the right certification course is a crucial step in becoming a successful personal trainer. This is why I want to highlight the National Council on Strength and Fitness’ (NCSF) Personal Trainer Certification program. With a commitment to upholding top fitness industry standards and promoting evidence-based practices, NCSF’s program offers a comprehensive curriculum that explores the intricacies of exercise science, client assessment, corrective exercise, program design and nutrition.

This review aims to provide valuable insights into the strengths and considerations of becoming an NCSF certified personal trainer (CPT), as well as what you can expect in terms of the digital learning platform, course length and final exam. You will also be happy to know this is one of the most budget-friendly personal trainer certifications on the market, with the base program priced at $799. (You may even find it for less, as NCSF often runs deals.)

As a NASM-certified personal trainer myself, I believe the NCSF certification provides a well-rounded education that will equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical application you need to succeed in the real world. I hope my professional insight will help you determine whether this program is right for you.

NCSF CPT Certification at a Glance

• Cost: $799 (currently on sale for $399)
• Course Length: Six months to complete
• Pass Rate: 79.8 percent based on 2021 data
• Requirements: 18 years or older, high school diploma, CPR/AED certification recommended
• Accreditation: National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
• Best for: The NCSF CPT certification is suitable for anyone who is passionate about fitness and helping others and wants to pursue a career in personal training

What Is the NCSF CPT Certification?

The NCSF CPT certification is designed to prepare individuals with the knowledge, skills and credentials necessary to pursue a successful career in personal training. The program covers a broad range of topics and is divided into five sections including a final exam.

The five sections include:

1. Today’s Society and the Healthy Lifestyle
2. Applied Exercise Science and Biomechanics
3. Health, Fitness and Performance Assessment
4. Foundational and Applied Nutritional Science
5. Foundations of Advanced Program Design

The “Home Study” version of the NCSF Personal Trainer Certification includes the digital textbook, which is available through their online learning platform, along with instructional videos, lesson notes, review quizzes, study guides and the certification exam. If you are someone who prefers a physical textbook, then you’ll want to sign up for the “Home Study +” which includes the hard copy textbook.

The program itself is self-paced and you will have up to six months to take the final exam and complete the certification. That said, based on information available on the NCSF website, most students are able to complete the program within two to three months.

How Hard Is the Course Material? 

In terms of difficulty, the NCSF program is seen as moderately challenging and will depend on your background in fitness training, prior knowledge and the time you can dedicate to your studies. For reference, the NCSF advises a total study time of 80 to 120 hours to learn and comprehend the program curriculum.

In addition to the digital or physical textbook, the course materials include instructional videos, lesson notes, study guides, question and answer sections and review quizzes to help reinforce the knowledge.

A customer review available on the NCSF website reads, “The curriculum was comprehensive and well-organized, covering a wide range of topics, from anatomy and physiology to nutrition and exercise programming. The materials provided were not only informative but also easy to understand, making the learning process enjoyable.”

The Exam 

The NCSF Certified Personal Trainer exam is proctored and closed-book and consists of 150 multiple choice questions. You will have up to three hours to complete the test. In terms of content, the exam has 10 sections, with the most heavily weighted topics being exercise programming, training instruction, functional anatomy, health and physical fitness, and client screening and evaluation.

When scheduling the exam, students will have the option to choose either an in-person or online proctored exam. Regardless of the option you decide on, the exam will be administered via a computer. If you would prefer the in-person option, the NCSF website has a menu option titled “exam center locations” to help you find the testing center closest to you.

Keep in mind that in order to pass the exam and earn NCSF CPT credentials, students will need to earn a score of 70 percent or higher. If you fail and need to retake the exam, the cost will be an additional $99.

Upon completion of the exam, a pass or fail status will appear on the screen and a detailed score report will be sent to your email. If you successfully passed the exam, then you can expect to receive a certification package in the mail that will include your physical certificate and wallet-sized NCSF professional membership card.

Benefits of the NCSF Personal Training Certification

There is a plethora of potential benefits one can expect from completing the NCSF Personal Training Certification. First and foremost, you will have gained the knowledge necessary to become a well-rounded and informed fitness professional. In addition to the theory, the NCSF CPT certification program provides a clear scope of practice for the personal trainer, as well as practical application for dealing with real-world clients. You’ll also have access to video courses on how to start, structure and register your business.

Having an accredited CPT certification also provides some opportunity for career advancement. Many employers recognize certifications from reputable organizations such as the NCSF, and having one can make you a more competitive candidate for job opportunities and promotions. You can also enhance your education further via NCSF’s advanced specialization programs, such as suspension training specialist, low- back specialist and kettlebell coach.

How Much Does the NCSF Personal Training Certification Cost?

The NCSF Personal Training Certification course starts at $799 for the “Home Study” package. This package includes the digital textbook, instructional videos, lesson notes, questions and answers, review quizzes, instructor support, a one-year NCSF membership and access to the certification exam. NCSF also offers the "Home Study+” package for $899, however, the only difference is the inclusion of a hard copy textbook.

In addition to a one-time fee, NCSF also offers payment plan options through Affirm Financing to help you budget and pay for the course over time. These options include three, six or 12 monthly payments; more information can be found on the NCSF website.

For individuals who are confident in their knowledge and personal training abilities, NCSF also offers the option to purchase the certification exam for $349 without having to complete the personal trainer course. This may be a worthwhile option for individuals who have a background in fitness training, have completed undergrad courses in exercise science, or those who have previously completed an alternative personal training certification. If you're interested in going this route, I would suggest taking the personal trainer certification practice exam available on the NCSF website.

Renewing the NCSF Personal Training Certification

The NCSF Personal Trainer Certification must be renewed every two years. In order to stay current, all you need to do is complete 10 NCSF continuing education units (CEUs) prior to your certification’s expiration date. It’s important to note the NCSF does require a CPR and AED certification as part of the recertification process, however, this course will also provide you with two CEUs.

If you fail to complete the 10 CEUs prior to your certification lapsing, then you will need to retake the NCSF CPT exam.

What Customers Say About NCSF Personal Training Certification

The NCSF CPT certification program is rated 5/5 stars with over 300 reviews on the NCSF website. There are definitely a lot of happy customers and the reviews are all glowing, especially regarding NCSF’s phenomenal customer service. Reviews from other websites weren’t available, unfortunately.

One reviewer writes, “Throughout the certification process, I found the support and resources provided by NCSF to be outstanding. [The support team] offered access to knowledgeable instructors that were able to answer my questions and keep me on track with my studying.”

The majority of the customer reviews acknowledge the valuable information students learned in the program and how well the course materials, specifically the section review quizzes, helped them prepare for the final exam.

One reviewer kept it short and sweet, stating the NCSF CPT course was a “demanding certification program that did a great job preparing me to work as a personal trainer.”

Pros of the NCSF Personal Training Certification

• The NCSF CPT program covers a wide range of topics, providing a well-rounded education for aspiring fitness professionals
• The program offers flexible, self-paced online learning while also providing access to qualified instructors for any questions you may have
• The NCSF CPT certification is accredited by the NCCA
• Budget-friendly personal trainer certification program

Cons of the NCSF Personal Training Certification

• NCSF is not as well-known as some other personal trainer certification programs such as NASM or ISSA
• The difference between the “Home Study” and “Home Study +” program options is only the inclusion of a hard copy textbook
• Although the NCSF doesn’t require a CPR/AED certification to pass the course, we highly recommend taking one prior to working with clients

Who the NCSF Personal Training Certification Is Best For

The NCSF Personal Training Certification is designed for individuals who aspire to become certified personal trainers and work in the fitness industry. This program provides the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to design effective exercise programs, assess clients and guide them toward their health and fitness goals.

This certification is also a great option for fitness professionals who are already working in the fitness industry but don’t have any recognized credentials. NCSF allows individuals with personal training experience to purchase the final exam without needing to complete the entire course.

If you have specific career goals in the fitness industry, I always encourage aspiring fitness professionals to take the time to reach out to the company they would like to work for. This will allow you to assess whether they have any preference on which type of fitness certification to choose.

For example, if you want to primarily work with athletes, then a strength and conditioning certification may serve you better than a personal trainer certification. This is because a certified strength coach’s role may be designing training programs for athletes who play a specific sport. This would likely fall outside the scope of practice for a certified personal trainer. Other areas of interest may include general health and wellness coaching or even a nutrition specialist.

NCSF Personal Training vs. NASM Personal Training

While I haven’t taken the NCSF course for myself, I am a NASM CPT (National Academy of Sports Medicine) and it’s encouraging to see that both certification programs cover a similar curriculum and are accredited by the NCCA. I also like the fact that both programs are completed through an online digital learning platform that keeps all of the course materials together in one place. This allows students to access their study materials wherever they have a WiFi connection.

This is truly a standout feature of these courses, especially for individuals with a busy schedule. When I was taking my certification, this online learning allowed me to complete a few sections of coursework each day using my phone during my lunch break at work. This helped me stay accountable and complete the CPT course in a flexible way that worked with my schedule.

Regarding other similarities, both courses allow you up to six months to complete the final exam, have certifications that are valid for two years, have similar price points and require you to be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or GED to start the programs.

In my experience, I would say that NASM places a heavier emphasis on behavioral coaching, exercise technique and program design, whereas I found NCSF focuses more on topics such as working with special populations and prescribing physical activity for individuals who have or are at risk for developing chronic diseases.

NCSF also allows individuals to purchase the final exam without having to first complete the course. This is a nice feature for individuals who already have experience in fitness and personal training and are simply looking to upgrade their credentials.

In the end, I really believe both certification programs provide a well-rounded education and will assist aspiring fitness professionals in starting a new career as a personal trainer.

Related Article: The Best Personal Training Apps to Help You Smash Your 2024 Training Goals

NCSF Personal Training vs. ISSA Personal Training

The NCSF and ISSA are both reputable organizations that offer quality personal training certifications. Both accredited by the NCCA, which ensures each meets the recognized criteria set forth by the agency for quality certification programs.

In terms of similarities, both ISSA and NCSF provide aspiring personal trainers with an excellent overview of exercise science, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, client assessment and program design. Both courses also place a heavy emphasis on developing well-rounded trainers who are able to work with a broad range of clients. This includes athletes and general fitness enthusiasts, as well as special populations who have specific training needs.

Where ISSA really excels, and separates itself from other personal training certifications on the market, is its focus on the business aspect of personal training. A major component of the course includes information on business marketing, client acquisition, sales training and potential legal considerations. ISSA even offers a free professional website to individuals who complete the course, which helps you to promote your personal training services.

While ISSA ($948) does cost slightly more than NCSF’s ($799) certification, if you’re looking to start your own then ISSA may be the way to go. If you’re just looking for a quick way to get certified to increase your credibility as a personal trainer, then you may prefer NCSF’s offer to take the final exam without first having to complete the course.

NCSF Personal Training Certification FAQs

Is NCSF nationally accredited?

Yes, the NCSF Certified Personal Trainer course is accredited by the NCCA. The NCCA is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and it helps develop standards of excellence for voluntary certification programs. Having an NCCA-accredited personal trainer certification, such as the one from the NCSF, is essentially a stamp of approval on the quality of the certification program.

How long does the NCSF CPT certification last?

The NCSF CPT certification is valid for two years, during which time you will need to complete 10 continuing education credits in order to renew your certification. These CEUs can be found on the NCSF website and include topics like CPR and AED certification, sports supplements, advanced recovery protocols and fitness during pregnancy to name a few.

Can you take the NCSF CPT exam online?

Yes, the NCSF CPT exam is available online. You can register for the online exam via the NCSF website or by calling 1-800-772-6273.

The Takeaway: Is the NCSF Personal Training Certification Right for You?

The NCSF Personal Training Certification program stands out as a well-rounded, budget-friendly option for aspiring personal trainers who are committed to improving the lives of their clients. Despite not being as well-known as some other personal training certifications, the NCSF CPT course is NCCA-accredited and covers a broad range of topics that are essential to becoming a high-quality personal trainer. We hope our article provides a solid overview of the NCSF CPT program and will help you decide whether this certification program is right for you. 

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