If you’re passionate about exercise or are considering a career in fitness, you’ve likely heard of the most popular personal trainer certifications — NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), ACE (American Council on Exercise), and ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association).
These “big three” organizations are great, well-recognized programs accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). They’ve all been in business for decades and include thorough educational content and flexible, self-study formats.
NASM, ACE, and ISSA aren’t the lowest-cost courses out there, but they also aren’t your only options for getting your CPT (Certified Personal Trainer) qualification. To help you choose the best certification option, we reviewed a dozen programs and summarized our research here.
Most Recognized: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ Widely recognized globally
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❌ Pricey |
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✅ NCCA-accredited
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❌ Physical textbook not available in lower course bundles
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✅ Reported higher CPT incomes
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❌ Course material and exam must be completed 180 days (6 months) from registration
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✅ Job guarantee program |
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A NASM certification comes with a well-respected reputation and a regularly updated curriculum. It’s consistently ranked among the top personal trainer programs, despite being one of the most expensive.
Pro tip: NASM and the other personal trainer certification programs offer frequent discounts. So, you should rarely have to pay full list price.
NASM is also one of the few organizations with a hands-on experience program for new trainers. The Gymternship program provides 80 hours of practical experience working with clients at a partnered fitness facility, but it’s only available in the higher-tier course bundle.
Overall, NASM offers one of the most comprehensive and regularly improved curriculums, the best name recognition, and extensive job assistance. In addition, it has flexible study programs, higher reported earnings, and overwhelmingly positive reviews.
NASM at a Glance:
- Cost: Certified Personal Trainer packages are listed at $999-$3,446 before discounts or promotions
- Exam-only: $600
- Exam format: Closed-book and proctored either online or in-person; two-hour limit with 120 questions (100 scored plus 20 unscored pretest items); you have 180 days from purchase to take the exam
- Passing score: Scaled passing score of 70
- Exam pass rate: 85%
- Prerequisites: Must be 18+, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have a current CPR/AED certification to take the exam
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited
- Known for: Optimum Performance Training™ (OPT™) model — a science-based framework with three levels of five phases, designed to optimize the training, performance, and recovery for every client, regardless of ability or activity background
Recertification Requirements:
- Frequency: Every two years
- Continuing education: 2.0 CEUs (1.9 for ongoing education, 0.1 for mandatory CPR renewal)
- Cost: $99 renewal fee + continuing education courses (~$35-$199 each)
Additional Features:
- 35+ years in business with connections to 12,000+ gyms and health clubs
- Multiple interest-free payment plans available
- The NASM Interview Guarantee provides a guaranteed interview at a participating gym for everyone who passes the NASM-CPT exam; it’s included with every NASM-CPT plan at no added cost (additional conditions apply)
- NASM’s Job Guarantee guarantees you’ll get a job within 90 days of passing your NASM-CPT exam, or the cost of the Job Guarantee is refunded to you; it’s included with CPT Premium Self-Study and select bundle plans (conditions apply)
Read our full review of the NASM Personal Trainer Certification program.
Best for Behavior Change and Relationship-Building: American Council on Exercise (ACE)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ Widely recognized and comparatively affordable (frequent discounts)
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❌ High recertification fees
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✅ NCCA-accredited
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❌ Less focus on exercise science
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✅ Emphasis on building relationships and behavior change coaching
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✅ Nonprofit, mission-driven organization
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ACE is often recognized as the best personal trainer certification program for relationship building. The CPT course materials include an extensive behavior-change section in addition to fitness fundamentals, functional anatomy, exercise programming, and biomechanics.
For those working full-time or needing extra study time, ACE offers more flexibility than the other “big” names. NASM and ISSA require you to take the exam within six months of purchase, while ACE only requires you to register for it within six months — you can schedule the actual exam date beyond that.
ACE at a Glance:
- Cost: Between $989 and $1,749 before discounts or promotions
- Exam only: $399
- Exam format: In-person or online live proctored exam with a three-hour time limit and 150 multiple-choice questions (a non-proctored, non-accredited, and open-book Certificate Exam is also available, but less recognized)
- Passing score: At least 500/800 total points
- Exam pass rate: 65-75%
- Prerequisites: The Certified Personal Trainer Exam requires you to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent), a current government-issued photo ID with signature, and a current CPR/AED certification with a live skills check
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited (proctored exam only)
- Known for: Integrated Fitness Training® (IFT®) Model, a client-centered approach to training — it emphasizes behavioral psychology to help trainers deliver individualized exercise programs that “meet clients where they are, drive lasting behavior change, and build stronger client connections”
Recertification Requirements:
- Frequency: Every two years
- Continuing education: 20 hours (2.0 Continuing Education Credits) + maintain your CPR/AED certification
- Cost: $129 renewal fee + continuing education courses (~$30 per 0.1 credit)
Additional Features:
Consistent curriculum updates
Well-organized, user-friendly online interface
Course costs are comparable to other top programs, but frequent discounts and special promotions make it more in the middle price-wise
The CEC Power Pass (a continuing education credit feature) includes a recertification voucher, unlimited access to 120+ ACE courses and six ACE Specialist Programs, CPR/AED recertification through the Smart Certification App, and discounts on partner certifications for two years
Best for Simplicity: International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ International recognition
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❌ Pricey |
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✅ High exam pass rate
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❌ Must complete course and exam within six months |
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✅ Online, flexible self-study
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❌ May not be as beneficial to those with prior exercise-related training |
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✅ Job guarantee program |
❌ Open-book exam is not accredited, and holds less weight with employers |
One of the “big three” personal training certification programs, ISSA is widely recognized in the fitness industry. It offers flexible, online learning tools and partners with a long list of fitness chains to help new trainers find employment after certification.
Based on its consistently high exam pass rate, readability of the textbook and study materials, and public trainer reviews, ISSA appears to be one of the easier certification programs.
ISSA at a Glance:
- Cost: Before discounts or promotions, the standard personal trainer certification course costs $1,068; higher-tier packages are listed at $1,500-$2,100 and include the personal trainer and additional specialization certifications; $79.00 exam proctoring fee
- Exam-only: $600
- Exam format: A proctored, closed-book NCCA-accredited exam (two-hour limit, up to 200 questions), or an untimed and not accredited open-book exam; you have six months from purchase to complete the Certified Personal Trainer exam and eight months to complete specialization course exams
- Passing score: 70% on the main personal trainer exam, 75% in each section of all specialization exams
- Exam pass rate: 95%
- Prerequisites: Must be 18+ with a valid, unexpired signature photo ID and have a current CPR/AED certification to take the exam
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited (proctored exam only)
- Known for: Purpose-Driven Training Model — ISSA’s framework for client assessment, program design, and behavior change
Recertification Requirements:
- Frequency: Every two years
- Continuing education: 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) + valid CPR certification
- Cost: $99 renewal fee + continuing education courses (~$35-$199 each)
Additional Features:
- Interest-free payment plans available
- Two exam options: open- or closed-book
- Proctored closed-book exam is NCCA-accredited
- Open-book exam is National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE)-approved
- Second test attempt is free ($99 for any additional attempts)
Read our full review of the ISSA CPT program.
Best for Strength Coaching and Athletic Performance: National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ Nationally and internationally recognized
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❌ Study materials sold individually |
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✅ NCCA-accredited
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❌ In-person exam only |
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✅ Best-in-class for strength and conditioning specialization
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❌ Longer recertification period comes with a potentially confusing variable CEU load
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✅ Three-year (instead of two) recertification period |
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NSCA is widely respected and offers materials and exams in multiple languages.
It includes a rigorous, science-driven curriculum, making it the standout choice for trainers who want to pursue athletic performance or strength-focused careers.
NSCA also offers several advanced certification types that require previous experience or a related bachelor’s degree. This makes it the best program for trainers seeking advanced strength and conditioning or sports science certs, or those with previous exercise-related education
NSCA at a Glance:
- Cost: $435 for the exam and $18-$585 for à la carte study materials
- Exam format: Three-hour proctored, in-person exam consisting of 140 scored and 15 non-scored multiple-choice items, with 25-35 video and/or image questions
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam pass rate: 77%
- Prerequisites: Be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a current CPR/AED certification
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited
- Known for: Rigorous science-based programs and strength specialist certification
Recertification requirements:
- Frequency: Every three years
- Continuing education: 1.0 – 6.0 CEUs, depending on when you get your initial certification within the three-year certification cycle + maintain your CPR/AED certification
- Cost: $60-$90 per continuing education credit
Additional Features:
- Advanced certs include: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®), Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS), and Certified Special Population Specialist® (CSPS®)
- CPT exams available in English, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish
- Membership with NSCA comes with discounts and additional resources, but requires annual membership fees
Read our full review of the NSCA Personal Trainer Certification.
Best for Clinical or Healthcare-Adjacent Specialties: American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ NCCA-accredited
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❌ Fewer study materials provided |
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✅ Longer recertification period (three years instead of two)
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❌ In-person exam only |
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✅ Offers a variety of medical/clinical specializations and advanced certs
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❌ In 2027, ACSM will require first aid training in addition to CPR/AED certification
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✅ Largest and oldest sports medicine and exercise science organization |
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ACSM is recognized as the preferred certification for trainers who want to work adjacent to healthcare or in more clinical settings. It emphasizes exercise science and how to apply that science to clients with existing medical conditions.
In addition to being the best program for medical or clinical exercise settings, ACSM has also been a major contributor to the United States Registry of Exercise Professionals’ (USREPS) national standards for exercise professionals.
ACSM at a Glance:
- Cost: $939-$994 before discounts and promotions for the course and exam
- Exam only: $410
- Exam format: 2.5-hour proctored, in-person exam consisting of 120 scored and 15 non-scored questions
- Passing score: A scaled score of at least 550/800
- Exam pass rate: 66% (as of 2024)
- Prerequisites: Be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a current adult CPR/AED certification (as of January 1, 2027, ACSM will also require first aid training)
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited
- Known for: Clinical, evidence-based science and medicine-focused curriculum
Recertification Requirements:
- Frequency: Every three years
- Continuing education: 45 CECs + maintain your CPR/AED certification
- Cost: $60 + $18-$30 per continuing education credit
Additional Features:
- Advanced certs and specialization courses available for a variety of special populations
- Membership with ACSM comes with discounts and additional resources, but requires annual membership fees
Read our full review of the ACSM Personal Trainer Certification
Best Value for the Cost: National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ NCCA-accredited
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❌ Less brand recognition than other “big” organizations |
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✅ Recognized in 160+ countries
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❌ Fixed six-month exam window |
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✅ Lower costs than other big-name programs
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NCSF may be less well-known than NSCA, ACSM, or the “big three” of personal trainer organizations, but it still offers a robust, well-rounded curriculum. Its course material includes biomechanics, anatomy, and program design, with less focus on business skills than some certs.
Starting costs for the certified personal trainer program are listed at $899, but it’s often discounted by over $400. This makes it one of the most affordable CPT options available.
NCSF at a Glance:
- Cost: $899 for the Certified Personal Trainer course plus exam before discounts or promotions; $1,499+ (before discounts) for the personal trainer plus additional certification bundles
- Exam only: $399
- Exam format: Three-hour proctored, in-person or online exam, 150 multiple-choice questions
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam pass rate: 84.5% (as of 2024)
- Prerequisites: Be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and a CPR certification*, and have two forms of ID (one being a current government-issued photo ID with signature); you must also take the exam within six months of receiving your eligibility to test confirmation
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited
*While website FAQs state a CPR certification is not a prerequisite for taking the exam, some trainers have said they were required to have their CPR certification to receive their NCSF certification. Regardless, it is highly recommended and will be a requirement to renew your certification with NCSF.
Recertification Requirements:
- Frequency: Every two years
- Continuing education: 10 CEUs (20 hours of Continuing Education) + maintenance of your CPR certification (CPR certification counts for two of the 10 CEUs)
- Cost: $85 + ~$29 per continuing education credit
Most Affordable Personal Training Certification: National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ Low cost
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❌ Not widely recognized
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✅ NCCA accredited
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❌ Recertification due yearly
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✅ Some free CECs (continuing education credits) available
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❌ Less in-depth educational material |
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❌ CPR certification not required |
Overall, the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) Personal Trainer certification is one of the most budget-friendly programs available due to its low initial cost, low recertification fees, and frequent discounts.
However, its materials are less robust or in-depth than other programs. If you have prior experience in fitness, anatomy, or a similar field, this is likely not the certification for you.
NFPT is also unique in that it does not require a CPR certification to take the exam. But most (if not all) fitness facilities will require this (and personal trainer liability insurance) in addition to a personal trainer certification before hiring you.
NFPT at a Glance:
- Cost: $599-$799 for the Certified Personal Trainer course and exam before discounts or promotions
- Exam only: $499 for the CPT exam only
- Exam format: Two-hour proctored, in-person or online exam, 120 multiple choice questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pre-test items)
- Passing score: 750/1000 (75%)
- Exam pass rate: 82%
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited
- Prerequisites: Be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent (CPR certification is not required for NFPT certification, but it is strongly recommended); you must take the exam within 12 months of applying to take the exam
Recertification Requirements:
- Frequency: Annually, but starting January 1, 2027, recertification will change to every two years
- Continuing education: 2.0 CECs (4.0 as of 1/1/2027) + maintenance of your CPR certification
- Cost: $85-$170
Read our full NFPT CPT program review.
Best for Simplicity + Affordability: International Personal Trainer Academy (IPTA)
| Pros | Cons |
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✅ NCCA-accredited
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❌ Created in 2023, not widely recognized |
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✅ First recertification is free (with some course bundles)
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❌ Recertification requires a PDF form emailed to them
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✅ Audio study materials available
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✅ Affordable base course bundle |
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IPTA is the newest up-and-coming personal trainer certification program. It also has the most interactive study materials, and so far, the fastest reported study times.
The basic “Rookie” course package is one of the cheapest options at $399, which includes the textbook, interactive study guides, and the exam fee. The “MVP” course package includes a long list of additional perks, including a job assurance guarantee, and your first recertification is free.
The biggest downside of being the newest CPT cert program is that gyms and studios may not yet recognize IPTA, even though it is NCCA-accredited.
IPTA at a Glance:
- Cost: $399-$999 for the Certified Personal Trainer course and exam before discounts or promotions
- Exam format: Three-hour proctored online exam, 135 multiple-choice questions, including 110 scored questions and 25 or 15 unscored pretest questions, depending on the exam cycle
- Passing score: 72%
- Exam pass rate: 75%*
- Accreditation: NCCA-accredited
- Prerequisites: Be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have an active CPR certification to take the exam
*Given the newness of the exam, this number varied. The total number of people who tested in 2023 was 162, with only 81 passing (50% pass rate). However, this was also the exam’s first year, and updates have been made since.
Recertification Requirements:
- Frequency: Every two years
- Continuing education: 24 continuing education credits + maintenance of your CPR certification
- Cost: $99 + ~$100-$400 for continuing education
Additional Features:
- Bodybuilding coach specialist course
- Online CPR certification course included in some higher-level packages
- Job Placement Guarantee for U.S. students: If you don’t secure a job within six months of passing your exam, IPTA refunds the cost of the Job Assurance Guarantee
Additional CPT Programs and Reviews
Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Review
- Middle cost range
- Known for group exercise instructor programs
- Acquired by NASM, run as a separate company
- NCCA-accredited
- Middle cost range
- Offers resources for launching and running a fitness business
- Provides study materials for other program exams, like NASM and ACE
National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC) Review
- Middle cost range
- Holds an accreditation from an international accrediting body
- Course materials are considered intermediate and not necessarily for beginners
National Aerobics & Fitness Trainers Association (NAFTA) Review
- Costs unavailable
- Difficult to contact
- Poorly designed website
- Extensive continuing education library
National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) Review
- Middle-to-high cost range
- Known for extensive group exercise certificates
National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA)
- NCCA-accredited
- Lower-to-middle cost
- Personal Fitness Trainer certification (PFT)
- Four-year recertification cycle instead of the traditional two
Become a Certified + Insured Personal Trainer
To become a personal trainer or fitness instructor, you need three things to start working with clients:
- Your CPT or Group Exercise certification
- A Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification
- Personal trainer liability insurance
Most gyms, health clubs, and other fitness facilities require you to have proof of these three things before they’ll hire you or let you train clients in their facilities.
The assumption that your gym will cover you in the event of an accident is a common misconception. Some may cover you under their liability insurance, but many don’t (especially if you’re an independent contractor and not an official W2 employee).
Even if you plan to work independently or solely online, it’s still an industry best practice to have your CPT and CPR certifications along with fitness liability insurance.
Working independently means no one else has your back if a client experiences a medical event or an injury while training with you. Even when you do everything right, clients can still fall, get injured, or claim they sustained an injury based on something you told them (whether true or not!)
Set yourself up for success with the right fitness business certifications and personal trainer liability insurance from Insurance Canopy.
FAQs About the Best CPT Certifications
What Prerequisites Do I Need to Obtain a Personal Trainer Certification?
In most cases, you need to be at least 18 years of age, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a CPR certification by the time you take your CPT exam. Some certification programs may have slightly different requirements, so check with each organization directly.
How Do I Choose the Right Personal Trainer Certification for My Career Goals?
Review job requirements for the careers you’re interested in and choose a CPT certification that best fulfills those requirements, your professional goals, and your personal considerations, such as:
- Costs
- Payment plans
- Accreditation
- Time limits
- Study materials/class formats
- CPT program specialties
- Other personal preferences
How Long Does It Take to Become a Certified Personal Trainer?
Most personal trainer certification programs take as little as four to six weeks or as long as six months. But how much time is required also depends on the individual. If you can study every day and/or have prior experience, you’ll likely need less time. And since most are self-study, it’s typically up to the student how quickly they can complete the CPT course.
What Are the Typical Costs Associated With Personal Trainer Certifications?
Personal trainer certification costs typically range from $300 to $2000, though many of the more expensive programs frequently offer discounts and specials.
Course costs usually include the course program itself, digital and/or physical study materials, a final exam fee, optional advanced resources, and some include a CPR certification class fee.
Is It Necessary to Have a Certification to Work as a Personal Trainer?
There is no law requiring a certification to work as a personal trainer, but you are highly unlikely to get work without one.
Working as a personal trainer without a certification can also open you up to more liability, since you may not know of proactive steps you can take to mitigate risks and avoid expensive claims. Plus, if a client is injured and sues you, there’s a good chance you’d be held responsible for their injuries and resulting medical bills.
